EU Consults On “Neighbouring Rights” For Publishers And “Panorama” Copyright Exceptions 08/04/2016 by Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The European Commission is considering giving publishers the same “neighbouring” rights currently available to broadcasters and producers of someone else’s copyrighted content, it said in a 23 March consultation document. The inquiry is part of the EC’s digital single market initiative to boost Europe’s digital economy.
South African Trade Minister Opens WIPO Conference With Call For Appropriate IP 07/04/2016 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments A two-day international conference on intellectual property and development opened today at the World Intellectual Property Organization with calls from speakers for the IP system to be applied by nations in ways appropriate to their economies, even if it means allowing copying – just as the biggest IP-holding nations did when they were developing years ago. The theme was set by the opening keynote speaker, South African Trade Minister Rob Davies.
US Senate Backs Bill Allowing Federal Courts To Handle Trade Secret Cases 06/04/2016 by Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The “Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016” cleared the Senate unanimously on 4 April. The measure amends the Economic Espionage Act of 1996 to create a private civil cause of action for trade secret misappropriation. The bill now heads to the House, where passage appears likely, according to IP lawyers.
Tribute To Brazilian Legal Scholar Denis Barbosa 05/04/2016 by Intellectual Property Watch, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Genius, brilliant, generous, wholehearted, warm, kind, funny, original, musician, art lover, brave, restless, these are few of the most suitable and recurrent attributes of Denis Borges Barbosa, who passed away on Saturday, April 2nd. Leading IP professor, researcher and attorney in Brazil, he was also the key international face of Brazilian IP, write Allan Rocha de Souza and Cláudia Chamas.
Digital Rights Groups: DMCA Reform Should Target Takedown Abuse, Errors 03/04/2016 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments Advocacy groups supporting digital rights and access online joined rights holders and artists in calling for reform to the United States law intended to balance copyright protection with the free flow of information on the internet. But the advocacy groups say the problem may be rights holders’ improper takedowns of online content and errors in the system.
Artists, Music Industry Urge Reform Of “Broken” DMCA 01/04/2016 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Arguing that the copyright law in the United States intended to protect creative works while allowing access by the next creators is “broken”, hundreds of top artists, songwriters, managers and music associations are urging reforms to the law. Top performers like Katy Perry and Christina Aguilera joined the call.
Council Of Europe Internet Governance Strategy 2016-2019 Stresses Human Rights 01/04/2016 by Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments The Council of Europe, the 47-member intergovernmental group based in Strasbourg, France, this week adopted an internet governance strategy for the next four years, putting particular emphasis on human rights and democracy online. The strategy includes a series of steps and actions.
USTR Annual Report On Trade Barriers Highlights IPR Rights And Wrongs 01/04/2016 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) today (30 March) issued its annual National Trade Estimate report pointing fingers at trading partners’ practices it sees as barriers to US trade. And the treatment of intellectual property in countries like India is high on the list. But the report also goes to lengths to praise progress in countries too.
US Tech Industry Associations Endorse TPP 31/03/2016 by Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments A number of internet and software industry in the United States have come out in support of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiated by the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) last year.
India, EU Leaders Touch On IPR, Innovation, ICTs, Pharmaceuticals 30/03/2016 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The leaders of India and the European Council today in Brussels discussed a wide range of topics including intellectual property rights – including geographical indications – innovation, digital issues, and health and pharmaceuticals.