Special Report: The Potential Consequences of Google’s Electronic Book Initiative 01/06/2010 by Bruce Gain for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Google’s ambitious plans to make published books available for download on most internet-connected electronic devices by leveraging its position as the world’s largest search engine could have far-reaching repercussions on electronic publishing and book file-sharing in the near future.
US Advisory Group Looks At FCC Net Neutrality Principles As Decision Looms 29/05/2010 by Liza Porteus Viana, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment A technical advisory group is working to drill down on key issues surrounding the US Federal Communications Commission’s proposed internet neutrality principles, but the agency is prepared to make a final decision in the end about how those principles are implemented, a senior FCC official said Thursday.
WIPO Proposals Would Open Cross-Border Access To Materials For Print Disabled 28/05/2010 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments Negotiators trying to find a solution for the world’s print disabled, who have said copyright law is limiting their access to an already meagre supply of reading material in usable formats, began discussing a possible UN recommendation this week. But the print disabled and their strongest supporters have said such a recommendation – which would not be legally binding – would fall short of meeting their needs.
Nueva iniciativa ecuatoriana: combatir la piratería con programas informáticos libres 17/05/2010 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Los programas informáticos libres se están utilizando como una alternativa legal para combatir la piratería de programas informáticos en un proyecto conjunto impulsado por una organización sin fines de lucro regional, en coordinación con el Instituto Ecuatoriano de la Propiedad Intelectual (IEPI). En este proyecto, se hace uso de las bibliotecas públicas para difundir los programas informáticos libres.
Nouveau projet de l’Equateur : le logiciel libre pour lutter contre le piratage 17/05/2010 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Le logiciel libre est actuellement utilisé comme une alternative légale au piratage de logiciels, dans le cadre d’un projet conjoint lancé par un groupe régional à but non lucratif et par l’office de propriété intellectuelle équatorien (IEPI). Ce projet s’appuie sur les bibliothèques publiques pour diffuser des logiciels libres.
US, WIPO Officials Assess Patent Reform, PCT, Copyright Priorities 10/05/2010 by Liza Porteus Viana, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment NEW YORK – Republican and Democratic lawmakers in the United States are “hotlining” colleagues to ascertain if there is any objection to moving patent reform quickly through the US Senate, a representative of a major stakeholder in the debate said here Friday. Meanwhile, the US Copyright Office is working to get its priorities through a restructured Congress, and a World Intellectual Property Organization official warned of a possible divide in WIPO’s norm-setting activities.
Coordination Mechanism Adopted For WIPO Development Agenda Implementation 01/05/2010 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A mechanism to watch the continuing implementation of development-oriented principles into the World Intellectual Property Organization’s work has now been found. For many, the Development Agenda is the most important agreement in WIPO’s recent past, and the mechanism – which will monitor, assess and report on its implementation – was a critical area of importance in ensuring it reaches its full potential.
Negotiators Begin To Find Common Ground In WIPO IP Development Talks 30/04/2010 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment A coordination mechanism and a project on transfer of technology will dominate much of the last day of the World Intellectual Property Organization Committee on Development and Intellectual Property, but with two new projects approved the group has already made progress this week, according to sources.
Global IP Enforcement Push Impacting Consumer Access, 2010 IP Watchlist Finds 29/04/2010 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The second edition of the Consumers International IP Watchlist has been published, with the conclusion that consumers are bearing collateral damage to the enforcement push by entertainment and media lobby groups encouraging stringent national legislations. Copyright laws and enforcement are changing, but mostly for the benefit of right holders, said the advocate group which encourages copyright exceptions.
EU-India Trade Talks Resume Under Cloud Of Concern For Public Health 27/04/2010 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment BRUSSELS – Negotiations on the EU-India free trade agreement continue tomorrow in Brussels amid warnings from non-governmental organisations from India and Europe about possible negative consequences for the public health of poor citizens in India. But European negotiators sought to assuage fears.