Original news and analysis on international IP policy
In the continued absence of a new model that adequately includes them, major global media groups remain concerned over revenues lost to unauthorised file-sharing decades after the arrival of the internet, and their focus is still on enforcement and extension of their rights.
The French Senate’s vote on Wednesday sealed the adoption by the Parliament of the controversial French HADOPI law creating a graduated punishment mechanism for alleged copyright infringement on the internet.
An Argentinean philosophy professor is being sued for alleged copyright infringement for posting translated versions of French philosopher Jacques Derrida’s works on a website, according to the Copy South Research Group. The case is bringing international attention to the limitations on access to education brought about by copyright.
A new study shows a copyright exception for legalising file-sharing is feasible, as a cease-fire in the “war on copying” emerges. A new social contract between creatives and society is needed, says media sociologist Volker Grassmuck.
PRAGUE - The current revolution in science and information was the topic of this year’s European Patent Forum, which brought together examiners, lawyers, policymakers and other patent professionals to discuss how the pace of the patent system can mesh with today’s whirlwind of technological change.
Meanwhile, European Patent Office (EPO) President Alison Brimelow informed her staff that she will “not be seeking extension” when her current three-year contract is up at the end of June 2010.
BRUXELLES - « Le droit d’auteur devrait être aboli car il nuit à la diversité culturelle », a-t-on entendu lors d’une conférence à Bruxelles.
BRUXELLES - L’Accord de lutte contre la contrefaçon (ACTA) continue de prendre forme, mais des divergences se font de plus en plus jour entre les pays membres sur les questions liées à l’Internet et à la responsabilité des intermédiaires qui semblent donner des maux de tête aux négociateurs. Une réunion de consultation a été organisée le mardi 21 avril à Bruxelles à l’initiative de la Direction générale du commerce de la Commission européenne afin de permettre aux parties prenantes de concilier leurs points de vue sur cet accord extrêmement discuté.
BRUSELAS – El Acuerdo Comercial de Lucha contra la Falsificación (ACTA, por su sigla en inglés) está tomando forma, sin embargo, se están haciendo cada vez más patentes las discrepancias y, al parecer, los temas relacionados con Internet y con la responsabilidad de los intermediarios están dando dolores de cabeza a los negociadores. El pasado jueves, la Dirección General de Comercio de la Comisión Europea invitó a las partes interesadas a asistir a una reunión de consulta para intercambiar ideas sobre el acuerdo tan debatido.
While rightsholders hailed a “landmark” recent high-profile verdict against the operators of Swedish online file-sharing site The Pirate Bay (TPB), legal and digital rights analysts say it was no surprise. While the law of secondary liability for copyright infringement is by no means settled everywhere, TPB’s attitude toward intellectual property protections means the same decision could have happened in other countries as well, they said.
BRUSSELS - Copyright should be abolished because it undermines cultural diversity, a Brussels conference has been told.
BRUSSELS - The Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement is increasingly taking shape, but differences are becoming clearer and internet issues and intermediary liability appear to be giving negotiators some headaches. The European Commission Directorate General Trade on Tuesday invited stakeholders to a consultation meeting to share ideas on the much-debated agreement.
Protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights is emerging as the dominant priority in international trade policy for the European Union and United States, based on communications from trade officials and others. Stimulating innovation also has a significant role.