Day October 1, 2018

Endorse the Civil Society Proposed Treaty on Copyright Exceptions for Educational and Research Activities

Today, we release a treaty proposal to take another step toward the goal of a set of binding norms that require all countries to make research and learning materials available for use by all, whenever such use is in accord with the time-tested copyright principle of “fair practice.” The Civil Society Proposed Treaty on Copyright Exceptions for Educational and Research Activities has been endorsed by 15 civil society and research organizations at the Global Congress on Intellectual Property and the Public Interest. It is open for review and endorsement

U.S., Canada and Mexico Agree Upon, and Release, Renegotiated Trade Agreement Text

Trade negotiators from the U.S., Canada and Mexico have agreed to a new NAFTA text. To take effect, the agreement will need to be approved by legislatures in all countries.... The Intellectual Property chapter lengthens copyright terms, and it does not include a version of the copyright balance language found in Art. 16.88 of the TPP. It requires 10 years of marketing exclusivity for biologic drugs and patents on second uses. 

‘Fair Use’ through Fundamental Rights: When Freedom of Artistic Expression allows Creative Appropriations and Opens up Statutory Copyright Limitations

[Abstract] This chapter discusses the evolution of the jurisprudential understanding in the European Union of the relationship between copyright and freedom of artistic expression and demonstrates how courts specifically in France but also in several other Member States have been accepting a sort of “fair use” approach through the application of fundamental rights as external limitations to copyright law.