WIPO, Global Protector Of Creators’ Rights, Hosts A Sizeable Art Collection Itself 13/09/2018 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment International organisations are the repository of many works of art, but little is known by the public of their vast collections. The UN’s World Intellectual Property Organization in Geneva hosts over 500 works of art, some of them displayed in public spaces, most of them in storage, their value unclear. They have been gathered since the inception of the organisation, before it became WIPO in 1970, most of them given or loaned. What is considered works of art include a diversity of items. The most unusual and rare, a piece of the moon, sits in full view in a glass display in a lobby.
European Parliament Approves Negotiating Stance On Copyright Reform 12/09/2018 by Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment European Union lawmakers today approved by a 438-226 margin a measure updating EU copyright law and voted to begin negotiations with the European Commission (EC) and Council. The vote followed parliamentary rejection in June of plans to launch an immediate “trilogue” with the EC and Council based on text as approved by the lead Legal Affairs Committee (JURI), instead sending the measure for full debate at the September plenary held today.
UN Human Rights Council Begins; Freedom Of Expression Issues Highlighted By Article 19 Group 10/09/2018 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Today, the UN Human Rights Council begins its 39th Session (HRC 39) in Geneva – over the next three weeks the UN’s top human rights body will come together to discuss and act on some of the world’s most pressing human rights violations and abuses, writes civil society group Article 19. There is a lot on the HRC’s agenda for September, with a number of issues important to the right to freedom of expression to be considered, and it is essential that the Council acts on improving protections. In addition to important reports from OHCHR and from special procedures up for discussion, several thematic and country-specific resolutions will also be negotiated, to be considered for adoption on 20 and 21 September.
New Paper Looks At Differential Protection For Traditional Knowledge, Folklore 30/08/2018 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The protection of traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions (folklore) has been escaping consensus at the World Intellectual Property Organization for many years. One of the reasons for this lack of agreement is the particular nature of traditional knowledge and folklore. Some years ago, a new concept, calling for a different protection according to the degree of diffusion of this knowledge, gained support. A new paper looks into the benefits of this approach and its implementation in local contexts.
New Report Calls For Copyright For Public Benefit In Digital Era 21/08/2018 by David Branigan, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development (ICTSD) has released a new report calling for a redesign of global copyright norms to preserve the public interest in the face of emerging technologies.
Stakeholders Submit Views On South Africa Copyright Amendment 27/07/2018 by Linda Daniels for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The call for public comments on the Copyright Amendment Bill by South Africa’s Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry attracted a wide range of interest and contributions from local and international IP stakeholders.
South Africa’s Proposed Copyright Fair Use Right Should Be A Model For The World 24/07/2018 by Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments Copyright laws the world over are under massive pressure to reform to fit the digital environment. One key area often in need of reform is in the exceptions to copyright that enable the digital practices. Without exceptions, common practices may be illegal, such as sharing photos on social media, making technical copies to send and stream, and uploading excerpts to closed networks for student access, writes a group of experts on the issue.
Deadline Looms For Comments On New Clauses In South African Copyright Amendment Bill 13/07/2018 by Linda Daniels for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment South Africa’s Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry in Parliament has published a list of select clauses of the Copyright Amendment Bill for public comment. The deadline for comments is 18 July.
Regulating The Internet And Emerging Technology: The Path Ahead 12/07/2018 by Adithi Koushik for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Regulators meeting at the UN International Telecommunication Union this week were attempting to advance guiding principles for the regulation of 5G spectrum, artificial intelligence, internet connectivity and cyber security.
UN Launches High-Level Panel On Digital Cooperation, Led By Melinda Gates And Jack Ma 12/07/2018 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The United Nations today announced it has launched a high-level panel on digital cooperation, co-chaired by Melinda Gates (wife of Bill Gates of software titan Microsoft), and Jack Ma, head of China’s e-commerce titan Alibaba Group. The 20-member panel will “identify policy, research and information gaps, and make proposals to strengthen international cooperation in the digital space,” according to a release.