Microsoft Releases Draft Data Sharing Agreements
[Mike Palmedo] Today Microsoft released three draft data sharing agreements for comment. They are intended to help individuals and organizations share data in order to “address some of society’s biggest challenges and help individuals and organizations be more innovative, efficient, and productive.” The agreements are crafted with an eye towards use in the context of training artificial intelligence models. Click here for more.
Brazil Seeks Comments on Copyright Reform
[Allan Rocha de Souza] On June 28th, the Brazilian Government through the Special Secretariat of Culture opened a new public consultation on the need to reform and update the 1998 Copyright Act. The main goal is stated to be to “deal with the new technologies and new business models that have emerged over this period”. Accordingly, streaming services, content upload and sharing platforms, artificial intelligence and so on are on the list. Click here for more.
The New Copyright in the Digital Single Market Directive: A Critical Look
[Joao Quintais] Abstract: On 17 May 2019 the official version of the new Directive on copyright and related rights in the Digital Single Market was published. 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. This article provides an overview and critical examination of the new Directive. It argues that what started as a legislative instrument to promote the digital single market turned into an industry policy tool, shaped more by effective lobbying than evidence and expertise. The result is a flawed piece of legislation. Click here for more.
UN Human Rights Council: Access to Medicines Fundamental to Enjoyment of Health
[Kanaga Raja] Access to medicines and vaccines is one of the fundamental elements for the full realization of the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health and the correspondent objectives of universal health coverage and health for all without discrimination, with special attention to reaching those furthest behind first. Click here for more.
Global Innovation Index 2019: India Makes Major Gains as Switzerland, Sweden, US, Netherlands, U.K. Top Ranking; Trade Protectionism Poses Risks for Future Innovation
[World Intellectual Property Organization] Now in its 12th edition, the GII is a global benchmark that helps policy makers better understand how to stimulate and measure innovative activity, a main driver of economic and social development. The GII 2019 ranks 129 economies based on 80 indicators, from traditional measurements like research and development investments and international patent and trademark applications to newer indicators including mobile-phone app creation and high-tech exports. Click here for more.
Decolonising Copyright, Building Our Creative & Information Economy
[Recreate ZA] Recreate ZA, in partnership with Wits Library, Wiser, UCT IP Unit and the Program on Information Justice and Intellectual Property will be hosting a series of panel discussions on the 7th and 8th of August, at Wits and UCT respectivel… At this event, a number of development scholars and experts, including Ruth Okediji, Adam Habib, Justice Zak Yacoob, Tshilidzi Marwala and many others will be engaging on how the signing and implementation Copyright Amendment Bill could positively affect the economy, and how it could lead to growth emanating from South Africa’s creative, research and education sectors, as well as reductions in costs for students and learning institutions. Click here for more.
The Netherlands Leads Way with Implementation of the New Educational Exception
[Alek Tarkowski] Just one month after the new Copyright in the Digital Single Market Directive went into force, the Dutch government has shared their proposal for its implementation, through an amendment of their existing copyright law. The proposal is currently in public consultation phase. We would like to provide here an overview of the Dutch proposal to implement locally the new EU educational exception (article 5 in the final version of the Directive). This is the beginning of our effort to track how countries across Europe will implement, over the coming two years, this mandatory exception to copyright for educational purposes. Click here for more.
Ukraine Challenges Evergreen Patents on Expensive Drugs
[Igor Kossov] Pharmaceutical intellectual property disputes are an ongoing issue in Ukraine, where millions of citizens struggle to afford certain critical medications. It’s relatively easy to keep extending a drug patent — and its monopoly. It’s harder to challenge these patents or bring cheaper generics to the market. The past few years have seen multiple legal disputes against multinational pharmaceuticals. Legislation from last year that proposed raising the patentability bar failed after not getting enough votes in the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine’s parliament. Click here for the full story on the Kyiv Post.
