Government Anti-Piracy Measures Working, Music Industry Says 23/01/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Industry profits from digital music are on the rise as industry-owned music download services expand and gain acceptance, anti-piracy efforts take hold in some countries, and internet intermediaries join in, music industry representatives said today.
Subscriber Alert: WHO Board Considers Key Reform Paper 23/01/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The World Health Organization Executive Board today is being asked to approve a draft chair’s summary of this week’s Board discussions on the path to sweeping reform of the UN agency. But the document is unusual, according to some observers, in that it addresses major changes without being considered a negotiation or decision. [Update: this draft was approved by the Board with only the change of deadline for comments to 17 February.]
SOPA, Piracy, Pharmaceuticals May Dominate US IP Policy Discussions In 2012 23/01/2012 by Liza Porteus Viana, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments Online piracy, patent reform and intellectual property issues relating to pharmaceuticals are among the top legislative and regulatory priorities for many stakeholder groups in the United States this year, but given that 2012 is an election year, chances are slim that Congress will push through anything that isn’t a top priority or that could cause too much partisan rancour.
US Cracks Down On Download Sites In Midst Of Anti-Piracy Debate 21/01/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 4 Comments In the midst of the global flare-up over draft anti-piracy legislation in the US Congress this week, several heavy-hitting actions were taken in the United States against websites said to be supporting unauthorised content.
Occupy IP: New Economy Businesses Clash With Old 20/01/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments It may be too much, too late for content providers finally trying to tame the internet, and a fresh approach is needed, writes Bruce Berman.
US Senate Postpones PIPA Vote; EU Commissioner Joined Opposition 20/01/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The new age of lobbying through online public engagement showed its effectiveness today as the Senate announced the postponement of next week’s vote on controversial anti-piracy legislation that led to unprecedented protests on the internet.
Book Calls For Re-Casting Debate Over TRIPS And Medicines Access 20/01/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A recent book analyses the role of intellectual property protection in providing incentives for innovation and its impact on access to medicines by retracing the origins, content and interpretations of the World Trade Organization agreement on IP rights and trade. It concludes that the debate needs to be recast in order for all sides to benefit going forward.
SOPA Blackout Was Biggest Online Protest In History, Backers Say 19/01/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 5 Comments The online protest yesterday against the bills in the United States Congress aimed at stopping internet piracy was the biggest yet, according to statistics being circulated by the protestors. More than 115,000 websites – including four of the top 10 in the US – and over 13 million internet users participated. There were 10 million petition signatures, 3 million emails sent, 100,000 phone calls, and some 3 million messages on Twitter.
FAQ: What SOPA Would Mean To You 19/01/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch 4 Comments A list of answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the much-disputed anti-piracy legislation before the United States Congress has been published by CNET News. It also reported that some 4.5 million people signed the petition on Google during the blackout protest yesterday.
Book On “Idea Rights” Gives Clear, “Non-Ownership” Explanation Of IP Law 19/01/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment “Idea Rights: A Guide to Intellectual Property” is a new book that looks at the major statutes and cases in intellectual property law with experienced, yet fresh, eyes.