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.
New ITU Focus Group On Vehicular Multimedia: Merging Automotive, ICT Industries 27/07/2018 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The UN International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has announced a new Focus Group on Vehicular Multimedia to “explore such innovations as intelligent voice interaction, interconnection between vehicular terminals and smartphones, and connectivity for high-precision navigation,” according to an ITU press release.
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.
Central Banks Consider Blockchain-Based Digital Currency At ITU Meeting 20/07/2018 by David Branigan, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment NEW YORK – The UN International Telecommunication Union’s Digit Fiat Currency (ITU-DFC) Focus Group is meeting in New York this week to consider the potential promise and pitfalls of central bank-issued digital currency.
Outcome Of ITU Global Regulators Symposium: Interview With Brahima Sanou 16/07/2018 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Heads of national information and telecommunications regulatory authorities gathered in Geneva for an annual symposium, and agreed on global best practice guidelines for the new digital ecosystem. After the meeting, Brahima Sanou, head of the UN International Telecommunication Union Development Bureau answered Intellectual Property Watch on the outcome of the meeting, and topics such as privacy and the digital divide.
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.
European Parliament Rejects Starting Negotiations On Copyright Reform Proposal 05/07/2018 by Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The European Parliament today opposed plans to launch immediate “trilogue” negotiations with the Council and European Commission on copyright reform legislation, instead sending the controversial measure to full debate at the next plenary session of Parliament.
Helping Understand The Internet Phenomenon: Interview With New ISOC CEO Andrew Sullivan 05/07/2018 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments Starting 1 September, Andrew Sullivan takes on the role as CEO and President of the Internet Society. Selected by the ISOC Board of Trustees, Sullivan looks like an apt bridge builder between the world of internet technology and the world of policymakers. Equipped with experience in developing technology at Dyn, a DNS company recently acquired by Oracle, and a tenure as Chair of the Internet Architecture Board, a peer body of the standards body Internet Engineering Task Force, Sullivan has a degree in philosophy and is no stranger to public sphere theorist Juergen Habermas. After the heavy attack on Dyns DNS network, via low-cost cameras – the so-called Mirai attack – the Canadian warned against knee-jerk attempts for regulation, but acknowledged that technological solutions might need some assistance from policymakers. Answering questions with journalist Monika Ermert in writing from the meeting of the ISOC Board of Trustees in Panama, Sullivan diplomatically underlined that collaboration is key for everything on the internet. In his new position, Sullivan follows Kathy Brown, a former AT&T manager.
Controversial EU Parliament Copyright Reform Vote Tomorrow; 1,300 Musicians Urge Support 04/07/2018 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The European Parliament votes tomorrow on whether to allow negotiations with the Council to begin on controversial copyright reform legislation. The proposed updated rules have sparked intense lobbying by supporters and foes alike, including, one lawmaker said at a press briefing today, death threats.