Archive for May 18th, 2011

UK IP Report Recommends Creating New Copyright Exceptions, Warns Against Over Regulation

The much-anticipated UK Independent Review of IP and Growth, typically referred to as the Hargreaves report, was released this morning. The report focuses on how intellectual property laws can stifle innovation and urges the UK government to enact reforms that remove legal barriers to economic growth (James Boyle, who served as expert advisor to the review, gives his take here). For example, it notes:

Because IPRs grant a form of monopoly, an overly rigid and inflexible IP framework can act as a barrier to innovation. When a firm has acquired exclusive rights over its innovative technology or content, other firms will be able to learn from that technology or see the content, but may be unable to use them for further innovation unless licensing can be agreed. IPRs can constrain third parties wishing to access or innovate on top of this protected knowledge or content, with potentially serious economic and social costs.

The report also notes that a considerable amount of IP policy is often not based on economic evidence, citing as examples the EU database directive and the extension of the term of copyright.

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May 18, 2011 3 comments News

Del Mastro Says Bill C-32 Coming Back Intact

Consistent with the Conservative campaign platform, MP Dean Del Mastro tells the Toronto Sun that Bill C-32 will be reintroduced largely intact.

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May 18, 2011 12 comments News