Category Copyright Policy

This is a description

Proposal For New UN Internet Governance Body Meets Resistance

A proposal for a new United Nations body for internet governance oversight did not please the majority of delegates, be it from governments, private sector or civil society, at the sixth Internet Governance Forum in Nairobi last week. But while India and Brazil sought to defend their proposal, forum stakeholders were unable to move to reshape the annual event.

Clear The Way For SMEs: Lessons From Nairobi

Penye nia, pana njia. A Swahili proverb for “when there's a will, there's a way,” this might well be the motto for innovative entrepreneurs the world over. Whether they’re based in Nairobi, Brussels or Silicon Valley, what matters the most to entrepreneurs is the success of their businesses. Of course, what's "in the way" of that success can vary considerably, writes Jonathan Zuck.

In Boost To Multilateral System And WIPO, Audiovisual Treaty Set For 2012 Completion

World Intellectual Property Organization members yesterday agreed to attempt completion in 2012 of long-stalled negotiations on a treaty giving clearer protection to the rights of actors and others performing in audiovisual productions. The breakthrough is being seen as good for the multilateral system and, if successfully concluded, for actors and others in developing countries.

US Patent Law Seen Opening Door To Global Harmonisation At WIPO

Just a week after US patent reform was signed into law, the Symposium of Intellectual Property Authorities opened with an air of celebration on 22 September at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). During the opening session, several keynote speakers congratulated United States Patent and Trademark Office Director David Kappos for the long-awaited legislation helping to harmonise the American patent process with the rest of the world.

A Call To Update Trade Policy Apps In The Internet Era

Access to the internet and internet services, such as Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter, is often thought about in terms of freedom of expression. The so-called Arab Spring reinforced that link as governments limited, censored and restricted the internet in an effort to control communication.

But freedom of information and open access to the internet is not only a human rights issue; it is also of vital importance to the world economy. This was the key message that emerged from “Blocking the Free Flow of Information: A New Trade Barrier,” a session held at the World Trade Organization’s Public Forum on 21 September.

Breakthrough Gives EU Principles For Digitising Out-Of-Print Books

Key European stakeholders have approved a "ground-breaking" set of principles for digitising and making publicly available out-of-print books and journals. The accord could serve as a template for dealing with the vexing problem of orphan works, those for whom the copyright owner cannot be found, according to International Federation of Reproduction Rights Organisations CEO Olav Stokkmo.

At WTO, US Takes A Jab At India’s IP Trade Policy

The United States today took a swipe at India’s intellectual property rights policies and enforcement, asserting that it is out of sync with international practices but stopping short of suggesting that its 2005 IP law is out of compliance with World Trade Organization rules.