Copyright as a Tool to Censor Political Dissent in Latin America
[Claudio Ruis] … DMCA related provisions such as notice and takedown are spread worldwide, in part because of the significant role of the United States on the international trade agenda, forcing countries in the Global South to adapt their internal regulation—including copyright, of course—to U.S. based standards to do business together. In addition, the law is forced on these countries due to the widespread use of these platforms all over the world, the vast majority of them owned by Silicon Valley companies legally bound by U.S. federal law… the DMCA’s notice and takedown processes are known, used, and abused in countries outside the U.S. These processes are not used to enhance the exercise of rights—such as freedom of speech—but instead do exactly the opposite. Click here for more.
Electronic Information for Libraries Presses for EU Copyright Reform
[EIFL] European Commission proposals for European Union (EU) copyright reform are entering a crucial phase as they come under the scrutiny of co-decision makers, the European Parliament and the Council of the EU, the voice of EU governments. On 12 January 2017, the Commission’s proposal ‘Copyright in the digital single market’ was debated by the European Parliament’s Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI), the main committee responsible for the dossier, where it awaits a decision. On 16-17 January 2017, the proposals were on the agenda of the Council’s Working Party on Intellectual Property (IP). Click here for more.
Candidates for Director-General of the World Health Organization Outline Their Plans for Tackling Unaffordable Medicines and the Lack of Innovation in Priority Areas
[Joint press release from six civil society groups] The six candidates for Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) – of whom one will be elected this May – have published responses to an open letter asking them to make clear their plans for the future of the WHO’s work in promoting a new system of equitable drug R&D. The original open letter was signed by 18 civil society organizations, and titled “Will you support a patient-centred R&D agreement?“ The WHO Executive Board convenes today to begin 9 days of meetings during which the candidates will be interviewed, and up to 3 of the 6 shortlisted for a final vote in May 2017. Click here for more.
Finding Fair Use in Unexpected Places
[Jonathan Band] In December 2016, strong endorsements of fair use appeared in somewhat unexpected places. First, the Joint Strategic Plan (“JSP”) released by the Office of the Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator on December 12, 2016, stated that nothing in the JSP “should be interpreted as limiting the scope of exceptions and limitations, such as fair use, under U.S. copyright law. To the contrary, the basic principles that have permitted the Internet to thrive must be safeguarded, and the Strategic Plan expressly recognizes and celebrates advancements in technology.” Click here for more.
Disruptive Technologies Pose Challenge to IP Protection, Speakers In Thailand Say
[Sinfah Tunsarawuth for IP Watch] BANGKOK – So-called disruptive innovation – currently referring to the technologies of Internet of Things, virtual reality, artificial intelligence and big data – are changing the way people live their life and affecting existing traditional industries, but current legal regimes are unequipped to deal with these changes yet, government and private experts said at a recent forum here. Click here for the full story on IP Watch.
