Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) Criticizes Copyright Provisions in Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP)
On December 5, 2013, Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) participated in a press conference where she criticized the copyright provisions in the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP). In particular, she noted three specific concerns including exporting lengthy copyright term, restrictions on copyright limitations and exceptions, and locking in bad provisions on technological protection measures (TPMs). The full press release is reprinted below:
Rep. Zoe Lofgren on Emerging & Controversial Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) Trade Treaty2009: Sign-on Letter – Against life + 70 year copyright term in the TPP
This is sign-on letter — Against life + 70 year copyright term in the TPP. See end of letter for details on how to sign.
<-------------------begin letter----------- December 9, 2013 Dear TPP negotiators, In a December 7-10 meeting in Singapore you will be asked to endorse a binding obligation to grant copyright protection for 70 years after the death of an author. We urge you to reject the life + 70 year term for copyright. Continue Reading
KEI TPP Note: Damages language in IP Chapter conflicts with US copyright law, blocks Green Paper reforms
Subject: TPP, damages, US copyright law
KEI TPP Note: IP Chapter language on damages conflicts with US copyright law, and blocks reforms being considered by the USPTO Green Paper
20 November 2013
KEI: WIPO should update 1976 Tunis Model Law on Copyright for Developing Countries
The twelfth session of the WIPO’s Committee on Development and Intellectual Property (CDIP) is taking place from 18 November 2013 to 21 November 2013. This Committee, squeezed into just four days of discussions, has a heavy workload. Continue Reading
The Commerce Department Green Paper on digital copyright is soft on action, kicks cans down the road
In July 2013, the Department of Commerce Internet Policy Task Force published its awaited Green Paper on Copyright Policy, Creativity, and Innovation in the Digital Economy. It is over 100 pages long and 540 footnotes and a good read for anyone interested in copyright and the online environment. Continue Reading
Evolving Copyright and the Relationship With the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP)
Table of Contents:
Introduction
I. Parallel Importation
II. Copyright Terms
III. Technological Protection Measures
IV. Fair Use
V. Marrakesh Treaty
VI. Libraries, Archives and Museums
VII. Statutory Damages
VIII. Orphan Works
ConclusionIntroduction
Continue ReadingSouth Africa Draft Policy on Intellectual Property rejects giving ownership interest in copyrighted works to broadcasters
On 4 September 2013, the Department of Trade and Industry (the DTI) of the Republic of South Africa released its long-awaited “Draft National Policy on Intellectual Property“. This policy framework was gazetted in the Government Gazette as Vol. 579, No. 36816. Public comments will be accepted until 17 October 2013.
Quick look at the Green Paper on Copyright Policy, Creativity, and Innovation in the Digital Economy
On the last week of July 2013, the Department of Commerce Internet Policy Task Force released a green paper on copyright.
WIPO’s proposed work program on Copyright and Related Rights for the 2014/2015 biennium
The World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO) Program and Budget Committee is meeting from 8 July 2013 to 12 July 2013. Among the documents under consideration is WIPO’s Draft Proposed Program and Budget for the 2014/15 Biennium (WO/PBC/20/3) which fleshes out WIPO’s strategic goals and program of work for 2014/2015. Continue Reading
KEI statement on the Marrakesh agreement on copyright exceptions for blind persons
We are very happy with the agreement. There were a few areas where the treaty could have been better, but these are areas of minor quibbles. The first order issues all went in favor of blind persons. The treaty will provide a dramatic and massive improvement in access to reading materials for persons in common languages, such as English, Spanish, French, Portuguese and Arabic, and it will provide the building blocks for global libraries to service blind persons. Continue Reading