Stories about Intellectual Property
Orphaned in US, SOPA Finds Home in Russia
America’s controversial Stop Online Piracy Act is back—and it’s poised to become law in a matter of weeks. SOPA, however, isn’t coming to the US, where a wide coalition defeated the legislation in January 2012. A law that creates similarly harsh penalties for online copyright violations is on the cusp of finding a home in Russia.
VIDEO: How the Trans-Pacific Partnership Could Hurt Internet Users
A new animated video explains how the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a massive trade agreement being negotiated by the United States and ten governments from around the Pacific region, could have alarming consequences for Internet users.
Copyright Amendment Could Bring Web Filter System to Taiwan
Many Taiwanese believe that a recent proposed copyright amendment put forward by the government is a setback for democracy. The amendment would provide legal ground for ISP-level blocking of websites that violate copyright restrictions.
Peruvians To President: Our Digital Rights Are Non-Negotiable
Peruvian NGOs have launched a campaign asking President Ollanta Humala Tasso to set clear, non-negotiable limitationss to ensure that Peruvians' fundamental rights in the TPP are respected. The treaty could threaten Internet user's rights to free expression and access to information online, increase controversial aspects of Peruvian copyright law, and restrict the ability of Peru's Congress to engage in domestic law reform to meet the evolving IP needs and realities of Peruvian citizens and their growing technology sector.
South Korean Politician Moves to Repeal Biased Copyright Law
On Friday, South Korea's National Assembly will meet with supporters and opponents of the country's "three strikes" law, including Assembly Member Mr. Choi Jae-Cheon, who has moved to repeal provisions of the law that allow authorities to disable a person's web service account or shut down his or her website for violating copyright regulations.
“Don’t Fear the Internet”: Exceptions to Copyright in Chile
With this new video from the #NoTemasaInternet (Don't fear the Internet) campaign, NGO Derechos Digitales shows the exceptions to copyright they have in Chile. They also want to encourage us to use them without fear. It’s our right!
[Video] “Don’t Fear the Internet”: Wikipedia, Copyright, and Free Expression Online
In this video interview from the #NotemasaInternet (Don’t fear the Internet) campaign on online copyright, we talked to Osmar Valdebenito of Wikimedia, a foundation that coordinates and makes the infrastructure of Wikipedia possible worldwide.
Understanding Free and Open Source Software
We received an email from Richard M. Stallman (RMS), after publishing an article about the Egyptian demonstration calling for the government to adopt Free Software. Tarek Amr digs deeper into open source software and arguments in its favor in this first post of a two-part series.
Colombia: Copyright Law Rejected by Constitutional Court
On Wednesday night, October 23, 2012, the Colombian Constitutional Court declared unconstitutional Articles 13 and 14 of the Law 1520, better known as Lleras Law 2.0. The proposed law provides for sanctions of online copyright infringement, in accordance with the Free Trade Agreement signed between Columbia and the United States.
South Korea: Stricter Online Games Regulations Face Discontent
The South Korean government in on the offensive against online games addiction. But the policy is increasingly controversial among South Korean youth, says our author Jae Yeon Kim.
South Korea: How to Regain Ownership of the Internet
On January 11, 2012, Network Neutrality Forum, an alliance of South Korean Internet freedom-concerned civic organizations, hosted a public workshop to discuss ways to increase civic participation in global Internet governance. Our author Jae Yeon Kim participated in the meeting and has this report.
Right to Forget: Between Data Protection, Memory and Personal Life in the Digital Era
A new essay from the Center for Studies on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information addresses the question of the "right to forget," one that might give back to individuals the control over their own information and, additionally, free them from their “digital past”.
Same Technology, Different Freedoms: How U.S. Copyright Law Can Restrict Mobile Devices
From a user’s perspective there is not much difference between a smartphone and a tablet. Both devices are portable touch-screen computers, and while the a smartphone might have a dedicated dialing application by default, the ability to make voice calls or connect to a cellular network is not an exclusive...
Chile: Why do we Need Exceptions to Copyright?
We have already explained how copyright can clash with freedom of expression. But are there legal alternatives in a copyright system that is increasingly restrictive? If all works are always an interpretation of other works, can we have access to them without necessarily becoming “delinquents”? The good news is that yes, we can, although there are limitations. We have released a new video in the #NoTemasaInternet (Don’t fear the Internet) campaign and will soon upload more material about this issue.
Hong Kong: Derivative work Concern Group Condemns YouTube for Deletion of Authorized Work
Editor's note: Google has responded to this post, saying: We take down videos when a content owner informs us that the video infringes their copyright. If the content owner is using our automated Content ID system, when uploads that match the content owner's content are detected, YouTube acts upon the videos...
Chile: “I’m in Dicom,” New Video on Copyright and Freedom of Expression
In this new video from the #NoTemasaInternet (“Don’t fear the Internet) campaign, makers of the movie “I’m in Dicom” tell us why they don’t fear the Internet, describing legal actions taken against them and how, despite these attempts, they trust that their right to freedom of expression will prevail over the copyright claims presented in their case.
Chile: 10 Things That Shouldn't be Prohibited due to Copyright
In this new infographic from the 'Don't Fear the Internet Campaign', ONG Derechos Digitales show us 10 common things we do on the Internet that should not be prohibited by intellectual property, but that some still try to prohibit.
Chile: “Don't Fear the Internet,” the Case of Ciudadano Inteligente
In a new video for the campaign "Don't Fear the Internet", ONG Derechos Digitales presents the case of Fundación Ciudadano Inteligente, an NGO that promotes transparency and citizen participation through technology.
Colombia: CELE Analyzes Constitutionality of Bill Lleras 2.0
The Center for Studies on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information (CELE, according to its Spanish acronym) requested to be considered as “friend of the court” in order to provide inputs for the discussions around the unconstitutionality of Bill 1520, also known as "Bill Lleras 2.0", which reforms the copyright regime in Colombia.
Brazil: Congress to vote on “Bill of Rights” for Internet users
The Marco Civil da Internet, a "bill of rights" for Internet users proposed in Brazil, would represent a paramount advance in country's progressive digital policymaking agenda. Officials expect the law will come to a vote on August 8. Rather than framing digital policy as a matter of criminal violations, the law sets rights for users and aims to balance these with the interests of online companies and law enforcement.