InfoJustice Roundup – April 30, 2019
South African Creators, Access Advocates Rally to Support Copyright Bill and Dispel Myths
[William New] A broad coalition of creators and access to knowledge advocates have petitioned the President of South Africa to urgently sign the Copyright Amendment Bill before him. The petition (https://www.re-createza.org/) is endorsed by organizations representing over half a million South African creators, teachers, people with disabilities and others who rely on copyright access and protection. It calls for the President to sign the Bill “without delay,” including to enact into copyright law “a transformative vision for a more equal and just society.” The petition is the latest step in a decades long campaign to enact development- focused copyright reform that is sensitive to South Africa’s particular social and economic context. Click here for more.
See also: Civil Society Letter to President Ramaphosa on the Copyright Amendment Bill. Link.
Increase in Drug Spending in Canada Due to Extension of Data Protection for Biologics: A Descriptive Study
[Joel Lexchin] Abstract: Biologics are currently protected from competition by eight years of data protection. The renegotiated North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) increases data protection from 8 to 10 years. This study investigates the effect of such an extension on drug spending in Canada. Click here for more.
Myths and Reality About Canadian Copyright Law, Fair Dealing and Educational Copying
[Michael Geist] Schools and universities are shifting to the use of digital resources – including to online E-reserves, E-Books and other forms of digital distribution. Collective (blanket) licensing, which for years has charged schools for making analogue reproductions of excerpts of printed works for use in printed course packs has declined in value and usefulness as education invests in digital licensing that offers enhanced access and reproduction rights. To facilitate the shift that benefits all stakeholders, legal rules must reflect emerging practices in which blanket licences compete in the market with alternative licensing models. One answer, represented by Canada, is a mix of broader copyright exceptions for the use of excerpts for educational purposes combined with a shift in educational spending toward buying and licensing more digital works and digital uses of works. Click here for more.
Tuberculosis Innovation Approaches in South Africa and Strategies to Secure Public Returns
[Fix the Patent Laws] Today, Fix the Patent Laws is launching a report of findings from an analysis of tuberculosis research and development (R&D) underway in South Africa. The analysis was conducted to gain greater insight into the TB innovation landscape in South Africa, the role of public financing in driving and supporting innovation, as well as expectations of public returns (I.e. affordable, user friendly health technologies) from R&D efforts and expenditure, and strategies employed to promote public returns. The analysis also sought to gain greater insight into opportunities and challenges to employing alternative innovation models in South Africa that do not result in access inhibiting patent monopolies. Click here for more.
“Let’s Spark a Global Discussion on Copyright Exceptions for Education and Research!”
[David Edwards] Today it’s World Intellectual Property Day – a good day to remind us that it’s time to reform copyright law. We need action to change copyright systems that are hindering free expression and failing to promote diverse and prosperous societies for the benefit of all. Copyright legislation has a major impact on daily teaching and learning activities at all levels of education – from early childhood to higher education. Click here for more.
