UN Non-Takeover Of The Net: ITU’s Touré Calls For Documents To Be Public 20/06/2012 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment UN International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Secretary General Hamadoun Touré today in Geneva announced he would propose to the ITU Council later this month to make the draft documents for the much-debated International Telecommunication Regulations (ITR) publicly accessible. The effort could help diminish some of the hype in the United States about an effort by the UN to increase control of the internet.
An Anthem To Ignorance: South Africa’s Case Of Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika 20/06/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The South African national anthem comprises the works Nkosi Sikelela’ iAfrika and Die Stem, which was formerly the national anthem. Nkosi has passed into the public domain and contrary to various claims cannot be used as the basis for royalty claims arising out of its use. The music of Die Stem is however still under copyright but its ownership has reverted from the State to the heirs of the composer in terms of the reversionary interest provisions of the British Imperial Copyright Act and is thus the subject of private ownership. In principle royalties can be charged in respect of its use as part of the current national anthem.
Former WIPO Director Idris Reported Arrested In Sudan 20/06/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment According to local press reports, the former director general of the World Intellectual Property Organization, Kamil Idris, was arrested by security forces last week in Sudan on unknown charges.
WHO Paper: How To Guard Against Tobacco Companies – And Trade Law 20/06/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The World Health Organization has published a paper that explains to policymakers and others how to take measures to protect public health against tobacco while staying within the bounds of international trade and investment law, under intense industry pressure. Key aspects of the report deal with intellectual property rights policy, as it relates to international trade.
Canada, Mexico Tilt Weight West In Trans-Pacific Partnership Talks 20/06/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A complex trade negotiation among several countries bordering the Pacific Ocean just got more weighted toward the west as Canada and Mexico joined their North American partner the United States in the talks. They may also infuse new energy into the talks, which are about to enter their 13th round, but may make intellectual property demands tougher to achieve.
Music Publishers, Universal Sign “Groundbreaking” Licence Deal 19/06/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A trade association representing music publishers and songwriters today announced a model licensing deal with Universal Music Group that is expected to allow songwriters and publishers to share in the revenue from music videos. Universal is the first record label to make such an agreement, parties said.
File Sharing More Opportunity Than Burden, Says Speaker At WIPO 19/06/2012 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The music industry often claims that unauthorised file sharing online is ripping off artists and the economy to the tune of billions of dollars. Although such file-sharing is impacting sales, the losses are grossly overestimated by industry, according to a professor speaking last week at the World Intellectual Property Organization, who also said illegal downloading could prompt untapped markets for complementary products and services.
IP Owners Join USPTO: Copying For Patent Applications Is Fair Use 19/06/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and a leading US rights holder group have entered a case involving rights over prior art submitted in patent applications, arguing that it falls under fair use.
Study Finds EU Copyright Law Harms Investment In Cloud Computing 19/06/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment 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.
WTO Review Provides Update On China’s IP Rise 19/06/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A World Trade Organization review of China’s trade policy includes assessments of the country’s progress on adopting – and becoming a leader of – the global intellectual property rights system.