Analysis: Monkey In The Middle Of Selfie Copyright Dispute 20/08/2014 by Intellectual Property Watch 9 Comments The recent case of a monkey selfie that went viral on the web raised thorny issues of ownership between a (human) photographer and Wikimedia. Two attorneys from Morrison & Foerster sort out the relevant copyright law.
Internet Governance And Celestial Mechanics 19/08/2014 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment At a recent meeting of the UN Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD), a Cuban expert offered a humorous – but at the same time serious – vision of global internet governance. Below are his remarks.
IP-Watch Spotlight: WIPO Lex, Database Of Global IP Systems 14/08/2014 by Angela Garcia Medina for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment WIPO Lex is a publicly available online database under the World Intellectual Property Organization providing streamlined access to the intellectual property systems of almost 200 jurisdictions. The database now features over 12,000 legal texts, some 600 treaties and is operational in six languages: English, Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish. Intellectual Property Watch takes a look at this resource.
Researchers Say EPO/OHIM Study Is A Tale Without A Message 13/08/2014 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment A recent paper published by the Max Planck Institute for Innovation and Competition criticises a joint study by the European patent and trademark offices as lacking insight about the economic effects of intellectual property.
Australia Eyes Copyright Act Amendment To Curb Downloading 11/08/2014 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The Australian government is seeking to amend its copyright act to address online copyright infringement. To that purpose, a discussion paper has issued for public input until 1 September. In particular, the paper looks at trends in similar nations and proposes measures to dry up business models operating outside of Australia, and to extend the responsibility of internet service providers.
Global Medical Students Call For Shift To Health Over Trade, R&D 08/08/2014 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments Universities Allied for Essential Medicines is calling for new incentive models for research and development so that new treatments can be found for neglected tropical diseases to fight antibiotic resistance, and is asking that health issues supersede trade interests.
Switzerland Continues Work On Changes To Online Copyright Rules 06/08/2014 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 4 Comments Switzerland is considering the “modernisation” of its copyright law to adapt the rights and obligations of various stakeholders to the “realities” of the internet. The country’s generous exception on private use of downloaded material appears to be preserved in the proposed change but internet service providers might feel the pinch.
Legal Analysis Of CJEU Hearing On Spain’s Case Against Unitary Patent 05/08/2014 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A new legal analysis looks at the 1 July oral hearing of the European Court of Justice (CJEU) on Spain’s nullity actions against the regulations on the “unitary patent” and its language regime.
Compulsory Licences Needed For Affordable Hepatitis C Innovative Drug Regimens 05/08/2014 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Compulsory licences should be issued to roll out generic versions of innovative HCV drugs. Only generic competition can push down the extortionate prices of these lifesaving medicines, while placing equitable access and public interest before monopolistic pharma companies’ business strategies, Daniele Dionisio argues.
UK Adopts Private Copying Exception As Some Rightholders Mull Legal Action 01/08/2014 by Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments A new United Kingdom copyright exception for private copying cleared Parliament on 29 July and will become law in October. The change brought cheers from high-tech and digital rights groups. UK Music, however, said the new regulation will hurt creators and that it is considering legal action.