Category Information and Communications Technology/ Broadcasting

Une entreprise d’Antigua relance le débat sur la mise en application de la rétorsion croisée prévue par l’Accord de l’OMC sur les ADPIC

Un site Internet proposant de la musique et des films en téléchargement illimité pour un prix dérisoire cherche à tirer profit d’une décision d’arbitrage prise en 2007 par l’Organisation mondiale du commerce (OMC) concernant un différend entre l’île antillaise d’Antigua-et-Barbuda et les États-Unis, par laquelle Antigua a reçu l’autorisation de suspendre certaines de ses obligations en matière de propriété intellectuelle vis-à-vis des États-Unis. Cette action soulève des questions concernant la mise en application des mesures de rétorsion croisée, qui permettent à un pays plaignant de trouver réparation dans un secteur différent de celui où le pays défendeur a commis une infraction.

Antigua Company Pushes Debate On Implementing WTO TRIPS Cross-Retaliation

A website providing unlimited music and movies for a token price is seeking to take advantage of a 2007 World Trade Organisation ruling between the Caribbean nations of Antigua and Barbuda and the United States, which granted Antigua the right to suspend some US intellectual property rights obligations. The action raises questions about implementation of cross-retaliation rulings, in which the complaining country can seek damages in a different sector than that in which the harm was incurred.

Digital Library Europeana Said To Be Europe’s Answer to Google Books Settlement

Google’s settlement in the United States of copyright infringement claims by authors and book publishers faces strong opposition from European publishers. The deal does not apply to books outside the US and one Google official has suggested the need for a similar service in Europe. Could digital library Europeana be the solution? A 28 August European Commission policy statement addressed that concern and others.

ECOSOC Adopts Resolutions On Digital Divide, HIV/AIDS, But Hurdles Remain

The United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) this week is concluding a month-long coordinating body meeting in Geneva by adopting resolutions on a range of public policy issues such as internet connectivity, science and technology, and HIV/AIDS.

OECD: Tech R&D, Innovation Hard-Hit By Economy, But May Be Turning Up

Information and communications technology (ICT) industries have been hard hit by the economic crisis but vary in the degree to which they have been able to sustain spending on research and development, according to a new report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Now there are signs the worst may be over for the sector if it can benefit from innovation to address social challenges.

Special Report – ICANN: New CEO, New Government Role, Accelerated International Domains

With three important processes coming to a head at the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) this year, it is difficult not to overlook some changes in the private body, which oversees the internet domain name system. At ICANN's recent board meeting, the appointment of a shiny new CEO, former United States Homeland Security Department cybersecurity director Rod Beckstrom, drew attention away from top issues, which include the introduction of new top-level domains, ongoing institutional reform, and the looming September expiration of the ICANN-US government agreement.

Collaborative Innovation And ICTs Could Give Economy Back Its Colours

Innovation and technology will be key to emergence from the global economic crisis, according to speakers at a recent United Nations conference on innovation-based competitiveness. However, innovation should be collaborative and involve resources inside and outside companies and institutions.

US Cablevision Decision Has Implications For Cloud Computing, Online Advertising

A recent United States Supreme Court order letting stand a decision that a proposed remote digital video recorder does not violate copyright law has major implications for internet “cloud computing” and advertisers, intellectual property lawyers say.

South African Authors Seek First Public Lending Right In A Developing Country

South Africa could become the first developing country to permit authors to be paid when libraries lend their books if an authors’ group gets it way, but the proposal is likely to spur strong opposition from access-to-knowledge advocates and libraries.