Less Copyright Liability Found To Boost Cloud Computing Investment
A new study by a Harvard business professor has found that protection against copyright liability increased investment in the cutting-edge technology of cloud computing.
Intellectual Property Watch
Original news and analysis on international IP policy
Category Access to Knowledge/ Education
In Egypt, Director Of Famed Library Of Alexandria Under Fire
The director of the legendary Library of Alexandria, lauded in Europe in recent weeks, has come under attack from the majority of his library staff and others demanding his departure over questions of unprofessional employee practices, alleged retaliation against workers for speaking freely, and for his affiliation with the outcast Mubarak regime.
US Secretary Clinton: No Contradiction In Online Enforcement, Free Speech
United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is undertaking to explain the apparent contradiction in the strong enforcement of intellectual property rights and efforts to ensure freedom of expression on the internet. And she said the State Department will keep saying it in the future.
Competing Industry Reports Show Economic Contributions Of Copyright, Fair Use
Trade associations from various copyright-intensive industries have released a report showing they account for nearly $1 trillion in value to the United States economy, and provide some 5 million jobs.
Amid Global Effort To Fill Internet Policy Gaps, India Proposes New UN Body
India has stirred some discussion with its recent proposal to create a new United Nations body for global internet-related policies. The proposal comes within the context of efforts by developed countries to build support for an open internet and by the UN to address gaps in global internet governance and increased unilateral moves to block content online.
WIPO Talks On Industrial Design Treaty, Internet Intermediaries, Suspended Till 2012
A meeting on trademarks and industrial designs at the World Intellectual Property Organization was cut short by an electrical fire last week. Before the unexpected interruption, delegates advanced work on a possible treaty on industrial designs and discussed the role and responsibility of internet intermediaries in the field of trademarks.
WHO Group Agrees On New Mechanism To Fight Poor-Quality Medicines
The World Health Organization-led working group of member states addressing “substandard/spurious/falsely-labelled/falsified/counterfeit” (SSFFC) medical products has reached consensus on a new mechanism to prevent and control SSFFC medical products and associated activities. The creation of the new mechanism comes as the future of WHO involvement in an interagency anti-counterfeiting taskforce is in question.
US Copyright Office Issues Analysis Of Mass Digitisation Of Books
The United States Copyright Office has released a preliminary analysis and discussion document on the intersection of copyright law and the mass digitization of books.
Tech Industry Sees Harm To Internet In US “Rogue Website” Bill
Trade associations representing US technology industry interests this week attacked a new House of Representatives bill aimed at fighting so-called "rogue" websites, calling it "an alarming step backwards in internet policy" that would create "a thicket of internet regulations containing 16 new legal definitions for evolving internet technology."
Plurilateral Trade Agreements Lack Protections For Users, Intermediaries
The role of online intermediaries in copyright enforcement is on the international negotiating table in recent plurilateral trade agreements. Those negotiating with the US would be advised to examine carefully what is being offered, writes Margot Kaminski.
Controversial US Bill Targeting “Rogue Websites” Introduced In US Congress
Legislation giving new powers to the government and copyright holders in the United States to unilaterally block payments to or take down websites deemed by US courts to be infringing intellectual property rights has been introduced into the House of Representatives. Now the policy fight begins.
US Copyright Office Releases Priorities For Next Two Years
The US Copyright Office today issued its priorities and projects for the next two years, targeting studies, legislation, trade and foreign relations, and administrative law.