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.
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.
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.
Poland Eyes IPR Reform To Combat Plagiarism In Scientific Theses 30/07/2014 by Jaroslaw Adamowski for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The Polish Parliament is currently finalising work on a bill designed to make using anti-plagiarism software compulsory for Polish higher education institutions (HEIs). With the new law, universities are to become obliged to check all Bachelor’s, Master’s and Ph.D. theses to detect acts of plagiarism. However, local observers doubt whether the bill will provide Polish HEIs with sufficient means to counter this widespread problem and protect intellectual property.
Abundance Of Latin American Candidates For Senior WIPO Post 25/07/2014 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment It has been said among some member states of the World Intellectual Property Organization that the next deputy director general responsible for development should come from the Latin American and Caribbean region. If that is the case, a look at some senior officials in Geneva from the region shows a significant pool of available talent from which to draw.
Collective Rights Management Takes Root In Uganda 24/07/2014 by Hillary Muheebwa for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment With an increase in the number of entrepreneur artisans in Uganda, a need to protect and benefit from the artisan works has emerged in the country. There is a growing trend in rights management, especially in the fields of musical works, film and art.
EU White Paper On Copyright Reform Delayed Till Autumn 23/07/2014 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The European Commission white paper on its ongoing copyright reform will not be available until early fall, a Commission source said this week. Officials had previously indicated that the paper might be published this month.
Global Project Looks At Takedown Notices Across The Internet 23/07/2014 by Joséphine De Ruyck for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The Takedown Project is a recent initiative bringing the research community together to explore how the notice-and-takedown procedure in cases of alleged online copyright infringement are handled by internet service providers around the world. The project aims to create greater transparency in order to improve the quality of this global regulatory system.