Changes In Music Listening: Survey Finds Streaming Improves; Stream Ripping The New Infringement 16/09/2016 by Alexandra Nightingale for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Industry research on music consumer behaviour has found changes in practices of accessing and listening to music. It has been found that, whilst paid audio streaming services grew, copyright infringement remains a significant problem. Next up? Stream ripping.
WiFi Providers Can Be Forced To Require Passwords On Rightsholder Request, ECJ Rules 15/09/2016 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The European Court of Justice today ruled that a shop offering Wifi is not liable for copyright infringements on its network but may be forced by rightsholders to require passwords to use the network. [Update: Reactions are being added below]
‘High Noon’ Showdown Hearing In US Over Internet Control 14/09/2016 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Former US Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz today used a 3.5 hour hearing of a Senate subcommittee he chairs to attempt to scare the US Commerce Department National Telecommunications and Information Administration away at the last minute from its plans to transition out of its stewardship role for the internet root zone system.
WIPO Committee Approves Forbin As New Top Copyright Official 14/09/2016 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The nomination of Sylvie Forbin of France to be the next head of copyright issues at the World Intellectual Property Organization was finalised yesterday as the WIPO Coordination Committee approved her appointment. She starts work at WIPO on Monday.
European Commission Copyright Reform Proposal Sparks Many Jeers, Some Cheers 14/09/2016 by Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments European Commission plans to overhaul EU copyright rules, officially published today, have prompted strong support and opposition. Controversy centres in particular around two proposals: The requirement that online services monitor against user-generated uploads of copyright-protected content, and the proposed grant of a “neighbouring right” to press publishers.
Judge’s Opinion That EU Is Competent To Ratify Marrakesh Treaty Might Break Standstill 14/09/2016 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 5 Comments The European Union has exclusive competence to ratify the Marrakesh Treaty on copyright exceptions for visually impaired people, the advocate general of the Court of Justice of the EU has found. This conclusion, which was well-received by representatives of the visually impaired, could speed up the ratification of the treaty by the EU.
Group Of Nations Demand UN Investigative Report On WIPO Director 14/09/2016 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments About a dozen members of the World Intellectual Property Organization yesterday demanded to be provided with a report conducted by the United Nations Office of Investigation and Oversight Services (OIOS) on allegations against the WIPO director general.
IP Judges In Developing Countries Hand-Tied By Local Laws, Justice Says 13/09/2016 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Enforcement of intellectual property rights can be unbalanced in developing countries because local laws are crafted in a way that makes it difficult for judges to bring balance in their rulings, a former justice from South Africa told the World Intellectual Property Organization last week.
Kenya In Drive To Get Artisans, Designers To Embrace IP 13/09/2016 by Maina Waruru for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment NAIROBI, Kenya — At a market stall in Kariokor some 300 metres from Kenya’s capital Nairobi city centre, Stephen Musyoka is busy at work making covers for handwoven baskets, a traditional sisal fibre shopping basket known as Kiondo made by older women from different communities in Kenya.
Important Agenda For WIPO Coordination Committee Tomorrow 12/09/2016 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment On 12 September, a powerful member-state committee at the World Intellectual Property Organization will consider the nomination of a new head of copyright, and a sensitive agenda item on a highly secret UN report on whether the WIPO director general engaged in wrongdoing.