UK Announces Updates To Copyright Licensing
The United Kingdom government will publish draft updates to the UK copyright licensing system later this week, keeping strong criminal penalties, it said today.
Intellectual Property Watch
Original news and analysis on international IP policy
Category Europe
Europe Reaches Agreement On Unitary Patent
After years of at times embarrassing political and procedural wrangling, members of the European Union today agreed to create a single patent system for 25 EU member states, including a unified patent court split between Paris, Munich and London. The decision also contains a copyright element.
UK Issues Tougher Draft Code For Online Copyright Infringement
United Kingdom communications regulator Ofcom today published three documents on digital copyright infringement, including a draft code requiring large internet service providers (ISPs) to inform customers of allegations that their internet connection has been used to infringe copyright, and consultations on the code and on cost-sharing.
EBU Issues Declaration On Public Service Media
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) today issued a declaration in support of public service media's role in society, including as a driver of innovation and a trusted independent voice.
US-EU Transatlantic Trade Deal Would Skip IPRs
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) yesterday released an interim report with the European Union on ways to expand transatlantic trade and investment. But apparently this would not including trying to bridge differences on intellectual property rights.
Unprecedented Vote: EU Parliament Trade Committee Rejects ACTA
In an unprecedented move, the European Parliament Committee on International Trade (INTA) today in Brussels passed a report recommending the rejection of the controversial Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA). Never before has INTA voted to reject a trade agreement negotiated by the Union.
Study Finds EU Copyright Law Harms Investment In Cloud Computing
A technology industry-friendly economic study released today found that changes to European copyright laws in recent years have negatively impacted venture capitalists' investments in cloud computing companies. This followed several French and German court rulings, it said.
EuroDIG: Will Governments Let Civil Society Rescue Net Governance?
The roles of governments, civil society and industry in ruling the internet - and other spaces - seems to be in a profound change. With governments in cross-border law enforcement situations increasingly unable to protect fundamental rights, as European Parliament Member Marietje Schaake said during a session of the European Dialogue on Internet Governance (EuroDIG) in Stockholm last week, it seems to be civil society that can do something about it.
Plant Patentability Questions Deepen In EPO Tomato Patent Case
While the Enlarged Board of Appeal of the European Patent Office is reviewing the so-called "tomato case," collateral questions are being raised about the consequences on plant innovation of the non-patentability of some processes.
Promotion: Upcoming Courses And Events Provide Insights Into IP
Informa has announced a range of upcoming events and courses on the essential aspects of intellectual property and technology of interest to Intellectual Property Watch readers. Here is the list:
Events:
IP Dispute Resolution - 28 - 29 June 2012, Grange City Hotel, London, UK
European Trademarks 2012 – 3rd July 2012, Grange City Hotel, London, UK
Protecting Corporate Information – 5th July 2012, One Drummond Gate, London, UK
IT Law Summer School 2012 – 30 July - 3 August 2012, Downing College, Cambridge, UK
IP Summer School - 13 - 17 August 2012, Downing College, Cambridge, UK
Distance Learning Courses:
Computer and Communications Law LLM, PgDip - from Queen Mary, University of London
UK, EU & US Copyright Law LLM, PgDip - from King's College London
EU Negotiators Tentatively Agree On Plan For Orphan Works
European Union institutions this week informally agreed on how to handle “orphan works” - those whose creators cannot be found. The proposed new directive is the first legislation to come out of the European Commission (EC) intellectual property rights strategy adopted in May 2011, Internal Market and Services Commissioner Michel Barnier said on 6 June.
Anti-ACTA Protests Expected In Two Dozen Countries; Parliament Opposition Rises
All seems to come down to the numbers on the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement: how many protesters will turn up at the ACTA Action Day in Europe tomorrow and how many members of the European Parliament (EP) will vote for it in plenary on 3 July. Without the EP agreement, ACTA will fail, at least in Europe, observers say.