InfoJustice Roundup – June 24, 2019

Concern Grows Over Spread of EU Copyright Filtering Rules

[William New] Earlier this year, the EU passed a sweeping new copyright directive that includes new requirements that Internet platforms filter social media uploads for potential copyright violations. Some creator groups – especially in the music sector – have been applauding the law and proposing that it be adopted elsewhere. But a growing number of copyright experts from around the world have begun preaching caution. Click here for more.

Exploring TRIPS Flexibilities Implementation in Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia

[Mykyta Trofymenko] On June 3-5, 2019 government officials, academia, patent attorneys and civil society from Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia as well as from other Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA) countries gathered in Kiev, Ukraine to discuss intellectual property and access to medicines. The event was attended by more than 100 people from more than ten countries and became one of the most significant IP and A2M events ever convened in the region. Click here for more.

The New Copyright Directive: A Tour D’Horizon – Part I

[João Pedro Quintais] On 17 May 2019 the official version of the new Directive (EU) 2019/790 on copyright and related rights in the Digital Single Market was published in the Official Journal of the EU (CDSM Directive). This marks the end of a controversial legislative process at EU level. It also marks the beginning of what will surely be a contentious process of national implementation. Indeed, the Polish government has already filed an action for annulment under Art. 263 TFEU, apparently focusing on the most problematic aspects of Article 17. Click here for more.

See also: Part II: Of Press Publishers, Upload Filters and the Real Value Gap. Link.

Summary of the Report of the Canadian Industry, Science and Technology Committee

[Stephen Wyber] This post provides a run-through of the report of the Industry, Science and Technology Committee of the Canadian House of Commons, following its review of the Canadian Copyright Act. In total, the committee heard 263 witnesses, and received 192 submissions (and over 6000 e-mails, from both sides of the debate) in a discussion that has had echoes in many other parts of the world. IFLA was among the stakeholders contributing. Click here for more.

Product Patents and Access to Innovative Medicines in a Post-TRIPS Era

[Jayashree Watal and Rong DAI] This paper examines access to new and innovative pharmaceuticals in a post-TRIPS era. The WTO’s TRIPS Agreement (TRIPS) makes it obligatory for WTO members – except least-developed country members (LDCs) – to provide pharmaceutical product patents with a 20-year protection term. Developing country members, other than LDCs, were meant to be compliant with this provision of TRIPS by 2005. Access to medicines generally includes two distinct components, viz. availability and affordability. This study investigates these two sub-components of access to medicines and poses two questions in this context: (1) How does the introduction of product patents in pharmaceuticals affect the likelihood of pharmaceutical firms making available new and innovative medicines in those markets? (2) For launched new and innovative medicines, how much do firms adjust their prices to local income levels in order to make these products affordable? Click here for more.

Statement of the South African Youth Council on the Copyright Amendment Bill

[South African Youth Council] … It is time we protect our future by ensuring that where educational literature and or material is concerned no archaic pieces of legislation should be an impediment for the acquisition of knowledge. In the same breath we must ensure that our heritage, the works of our forebears, are given the necessary stature and protection. This can only happen if President Cyril Ramaphosa assents to the Copy Rights Amendment Bill. Click here for more.

The Fifth Global Congress Polis Conversation

[Joe Karaganis] Probably some of you were part of the ‘Polis’ conversation we ran at the last Global Congress in September 2018. Polis is a participated-directed survey tool that we’ve been using to hold large-scale conversations. We reached out to over 1000 Global Congress alum and current attendees. Some 335 participated over two weeks. The results are not based on and do not have the statistical power of a random sample. Nonetheless, they’re individually and collectively a pretty interesting portrait of the community. Click here for more.

Oh Canada! True Patriot Love (For Thy Copyright Act Review)

[Carys Craig] Readers in Europe and around the world may have heard some refreshingly contented murmurings recently about a new—and, “miraculously, an eminently sensible”—copyright policy report coming out of Canada. The report of the Standing Committee on Industry, Science & Technology, released earlier this month, was the culmination of a statutorily mandated parliamentary review of Canada’s Copyright Act, commenced five years after the coming into force of the Copyright Modernization Act 2012. Click here for more.
Over 60 Health Organisations Demand ARIPO Reform to Increase Access to More Affordable Medicines in Eastern & Southern Africa

[KELIN and Health GAP] More than 60 health organisations are calling for rapid reform of the Harare Protocol of the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) in order to protect public health across its 18 Eastern and Southern African member states. Representing people living with cancer, tuberculosis, HIV, and many other diseases and conditions—the organisations are demanding that ARIPO takes urgent steps to amend the Harare Protocol and introduce public health safeguards that will significantly improve access to medicines in the region. Click here for more.

Karisma Foundation to Host 2020 Global Congress on Intellectual Property and the Public Interest in Cartagena

[Sean Flynn] The steering committee of the Global Congress and IP and the Public Interest has unanimously approved the application of Karisma Foundation to hold the next Congress in Cartagena, Colombia, in (likely August) 2020. (By longstanding practice, the steering committee is composed of all past hosts of the Congress, as permanent members, and the track leaders of the last Congress, who serve on the committee for one year). Click here for more.