U.S. Copyright Office Undertaking a Review of the Digital Millenium Copyright Act Safe Harbor Provisions
[U.S. Copyright Office] The United States Copyright Office is undertaking a public study to evaluate the impact and effectiveness of the DMCA safe harbor provisions contained in 17 U.S.C. 512. Among other issues, the Office will consider the costs and burdens of the notice-and-takedown process on large- and small scale copyright owners, online service providers, and the general public. The Office will also review how successfully section 512 addresses online infringement and protects against improper takedown notices. To aid in this effort, and to provide thorough assistance to Congress, the Office is seeking public input on a number of key questions. Click here for the full notice.
Statement of Conclusion for the IP and Development Track of the Fourth Global Congress on IP and the Public Interest
[Global Congress IP and Development Track] This year, the discussions included attention to broad perspectives on clarifying the meaning and reality of open collaborative innovation, as well as significant focus on the sub-themes of economic development (innovation and software patents, clean technologies, climate change and green patenting, issues of branding and plain packaging); sustainable development (agriculture and geographic indicators [GI]); policy, law and regulation (role of governments, patenting, compulsory licensing [CL], global institutions [particularly WTO, WIPO and WHO] and national institutions [particularly patent offices]). Trade dominated the discussions across the IP and Dev track, including the TPP and other issues, reflecting the strong global trade agenda. Click here for more.
Hello, Sharing World! Creative Commons Global Summit 2015 in Seoul, Korea
[CC Korea] This ebook is a compilation of keynote speeches and major sessions selected by keyword from the program of the Creative Commons Global Summit 2015 held in Seoul, Korea from October 14 to 17, 2015. We hope this record helps share the valuable lessons and inspirations from the summit with the broader community and contributes to further developing the summit outcomes in the coming months. We Sincerely appreciate all participants and supporters who helped us make this event a success for their contribution. Click here for the Report.
India’s New Model Bilateral Investment Treaty and Its Carve-Out for TRIPS Flexibilities
[Mike Palmedo] India has released its new model Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT). Its definition of an investment includes “Copyrights, know-how and intellectual property rights such as patents, trademarks, industrial designs and trade names, to the extent they are recognized under the law of a Party.” (Art 1.4.f). It contains a carve-out for TRIPS flexibilities that is similar to language found in the U.S. BIT… However, note that the Indian BIT carve-out applies to the whole treaty, and the similar language in the U.S. BIT applies to its Article on expropriation. Click here for more.
Empirical Evidence on the Behavior and Impact of Patent Trolls: A Survey
[Lauren Cohen, Umit G. Gurun, and Scott Duke Kominers] Abstract: We survey the empirical literature on non-practicing entity (NPE) litigation behavior and its consequences. We document both aggregate trends and cross-sectional differences amongst various types of NPEs. Survey evidence illustrates a number of ways in which NPEs can potentially act opportunistically, and indicates at least some instances and consequences of observed NPE opportunism. Large-sample empirical work has recently begun corroborating and amplifying the findings from survey evidence. Click here for more.
University Students Energize Global Campaign For Medical R&D Agreement
[William New] The force of hundreds of students worldwide has gathered behind an international effort urging governments to promote research and development in a way that does not result in high-priced medicines. The initiative led by Universities Allied for Essential Medicines (UAEM) seeks to address the longstanding gap in affordable medicines and puts the focus on the World Health Organization, whose members are currently working on this issue. Click here for the full story on IP Watch.
