Retired US Copyright Chief On Copyright Clearance Center Board
The appointment of former United States Register of Copyrights to the board of directors of the Copyright Clearance Center (CCC) was announced yesterday.
Intellectual Property Watch
Original news and analysis on international IP policy
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Columbia Law Expert On Telecom, Copyright To FTC
A respected US law professor has been named senior advisor to the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for consumer protection and competition issues that affect the internet and mobile markets.
Senior Changes At The Gates Foundation With An IP Twist
The head of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Global Health Program intends to retire from his position in June, according to a press release. Meanwhile, Microsoft’s leading international advocate for intellectual property rights has joined the Gates Foundation Global…
Veto Power For Governments Against Any Internet Domain Name?
The United States Department of Commerce National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is proposing possible veto power for governments against applications for new top-level domains. NTIA is asking for a change to domain name system management that would allow governments to object to any proposed internet address for any reason, which has not surprisingly stirred debate among some observers, including in Europe.
Brazil’s Copyright Reform: Schizophrenia?
Pedro Paranaguá writes: Brazil's new Minister of Culture is under severe pressure from civil society groups, academics and some artists. After just a few weeks in power, Minister Ana de Hollanda issued an order to take the Creative Commons license off the Ministry's website. Why is that a problem?
New Biodiversity Benefit-Sharing Protocol Relies On National Rules, Experts Say
PARIS - The recently agreed international instrument to facilitate access to genetic resources and the equitable sharing of benefits accrued from those resources opened for signature last week, and the text is already getting mixed reviews from stakeholders.
People: New Lead For US Global IP Policy; KEI Lawyer To MSF; Copyright Kings In Washington
An American industry representative with European ties has been named to take over the role of coordinating and communicating US international policy on patents and trademarks. Meanwhile, a key civil society lawyer became US manager of Doctors without Borders Access to Medicines campaign in the United States. And a music industry lawyer central to several landmark copyright cases has been nominated to be the next solicitor general. Catch these and the new faces at the trade associations and law firms in the latest edition of the IP-Watch People Column.
Are European Think Tanks Corporate Lobbyists By Another Name?
Think tanks can be a godsend for reporters with a looming deadline. Almost invariably, they are staffed with articulate policy specialists, adept at summarising complex issues in a few quotable sentences. Frequently, too, the think tanks have neutral-sounding names, so a reader or viewer of news reports can easily believe that they are independent of vested interests.
Closer inspection reveals that many of these “independent” bodies are in fact heavily reliant on corporate donations. This is especially the case for a number of think tanks working on intellectual property.
Innovation, Generic Drugs, Patents In Congress Follow Obama’s State of the Union Speech
American lawmakers aren’t wasting any time getting down to business after President Obama stressed the importance of spurring innovation during his annual State of the Union address this week and cited the need for the United States to regain its competitive edge, particularly when up against countries such as China and India. A slew of related bills are emerging in Congress.
Midem Music Congress: The Two Universes Of The Music Business
CANNES - More help from governments, a hope for new cloud music services and new markets in emerging countries like Brazil. India and China were on the wish list of the big music labels and publishers at this week's annual industry bash in Cannes, France. Technology companies and the newly invited hackers were more concerned with new ways to better access music and connecting artists and fans.
2011: Renewed Fights Over Internet Control In A Post-Wikileaks World
For many experts in internet governance the future of the multi-stakeholder model is the top issue in 2011. The participation of governments, technical experts, industry and civil society in discussions about how best to organise - and regulate - society on the net is at stake.
Fair Usage In Caribbean Intellectual Property
A panoramic view of the IP situation in the Caribbean would present to the observer a carnival of Olympic size replete with politicians, diplomats, rights advocates, consumer groups, law enforcement, and impotent jurists, all gyrating discordantly to the WIPO band while Caribbean citizens look on, or are pulled or shoved in, writes Abiola Inniss.