Category Information and Communications Technology/ Broadcasting

Ecommerce Seen As Opportunity For All Countries But Hurdles Remain, WTO Panels Say

Electronic commerce was a focus of the World Trade Organization Public Forum last week, a nod to its continuing rise in global importance. Several panels looked at how to integrate developing countries and small and medium-size enterprises into the global stream of online trade. Although ecommerce is an opportunity for developing countries, many hurdles remain for them, most obviously the digital divide, speakers said.

Catherine Saez
October 3, 2016
1 Comment

Last Formal Tie To Historic US Internet Control Is Cut

“The federal court in Galveston, Texas denied the plaintiffs' application for declaratory and injunctive relief. As of 1 October 2016, the IANA functions contract has expired.” This two-sentence statement from Assistant US Commerce Secretary for Communications and Information and National Telecommunication and Information Administration Administrator Lawrence Strickling ended an era of direct United States oversight over changes to the authoritative root zone of the internet domain name system, and as a contractor for a set of core internet databases.

Monika Ermert
October 1, 2016
1 Comment

Time To Talk Digital Issues At WTO With Focus On Developing Countries, Forum Hears

Now is the time for those who want to bring new voices to the digital trade and general trade debate involving the World Trade Organization, says an adviser to a leading security think tank in Switzerland.

Peter Kenny
September 30, 2016
2 Comments

Skepticism On Global Trade Arises Even As ‘Potential Exists To Expand Commerce Internationally’

A lot of skepticism about global trade has arisen just at a time when there is the potential to involve large swaths of the population who were previously not able to access the international exchange of commerce.

Peter Kenny
September 30, 2016

Changes In Music Listening: Survey Finds Streaming Improves; Stream Ripping The New Infringement

Industry research on music consumer behaviour has found changes in practices of accessing and listening to music. It has been found that, whilst paid audio streaming services grew, copyright infringement remains a significant problem. Next up? Stream ripping.

Alexandra Nightingale
September 16, 2016

WiFi Providers Can Be Forced To Require Passwords On Rightsholder Request, ECJ Rules

The European Court of Justice today ruled that a shop offering Wifi is not liable for copyright infringements on its network but may be forced by rightsholders to require passwords to use the network. [Update: Reactions are being added below]

William New
September 15, 2016
1 Comment

‘High Noon’ Showdown Hearing In US Over Internet Control

Former US Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz today used a 3.5 hour hearing of a Senate subcommittee he chairs to attempt to scare the US Commerce Department National Telecommunications and Information Administration away at the last minute from its plans to transition out of its stewardship role for the internet root zone system.

Monika Ermert
September 14, 2016

WIPO Committee Approves Forbin As New Top Copyright Official

The nomination of Sylvie Forbin of France to be the next head of copyright issues at the World Intellectual Property Organization was finalised yesterday as the WIPO Coordination Committee approved her appointment. She starts work at WIPO on Monday.

William New
September 14, 2016

European Commission Copyright Reform Proposal Sparks Many Jeers, Some Cheers

European Commission plans to overhaul EU copyright rules, officially published today, have prompted strong support and opposition. Controversy centres in particular around two proposals: The requirement that online services monitor against user-generated uploads of copyright-protected content, and the proposed grant of a “neighbouring right” to press publishers.

Dugie Standeford
September 14, 2016
2 Comments

ITU Capacity-Building Symposium Discusses Internet Governance, Collaboration

NAIROBI, Kenya -- Strong linkages and structured collaborative initiatives between the academia and industry in the information and communication technology (ICT) sector are key to enhancing capacity building in rapidly growing sector across the globe, a United Nations-led event here this week has said.

Justus Wanzala
September 9, 2016

Hyperlinks Can Infringe Copyright If Commercial, European High Court Says

A hyperlink on a website that links to copyrighted material and does not have the rights holder's consent may be allowable if for non-commercial purposes, the Court of Justice of the European Union said today. But it may infringe copyright if linked for profit and with knowledge of the lack of permission to link it, it said.

William New
September 8, 2016
3 Comments

The Expert On IP For Internet Protocol: Interview With Scott Bradner

Fluent in both types of IP: Scott Bradner has been an architect of intellectual property (IP) policy for internet protocol (IP) standards. He played a core role in the development of internet protocol, leading to the very digital revolution we know today, as well as the next generation IPv6, all the while designing intellectual property policy to go along with it. Here is an interview with Bradner.

Monika Ermert
August 19, 2016
1 Comment