25 Mar, 2008: IP Justice White Paper on the Proposed Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA)
In 2007 a select handful of the wealthiest countries began a treaty-making process to create a new global standard for intellectual property rights enforcement, the proposed Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA). ACTA is spearheaded by the United States, the European Commission, Japan, and Switzerland -- those countries with the largest intellectual property industries. Other countries invited to participate in ...

25 Mar, 2008: IP Justice White Paper on the Proposed Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA)
Anti-Consumer and Anti-Public Interest Treaty Proposed by Intellectual Property Industry, US, Europe, Switzerland, and Japan

18 Mar, 2008: Public-Interest Principles for the Networked Communications Environment
Why is Free Expression Important in an Information Society? The UK-based "Freedom of Expression Project" posted "Public Interest Principles for the Networked Communications Environment". The draft document provides useful analysis on the importance of freedom of expression, open standards, interoperability, respect for privacy, and balanced copyright law as key policy goals for a healthy and robust information society. ...

5 Mar, 2008: Trent Reznor Puts Fans in Charge with Successful Experimental Business Model
Trent Reznor has rocked the music world once again. The long-time front man for Nine-Inch-Nails is convinced the current music business infrastructure is broken since it requires artists to rely on labels. Reznor is looking for a new model. Last year NIN broke free from its major label and decided to go independent, look to its fans for support, and ...

2 Mar, 2008: USTR 2008 Trade Policy Agenda and 2007 Annual Report (Mar. 2008)
Annual Report from the Office of the United States Trade Representative on efforts to influence national laws of other countries to better serve US industry.

29 Jan, 2008: Top EU Court: File-Sharers Don’t Have to be Named (Reuters)
EU countries can refuse to disclose names of file sharers on the Internet in civil cases, the EU's top court said on Tuesday in a blow to copyright holders trying to fight digital piracy. The European Court of Justice ruled on a dispute between Spanish music rights holders association Promusicae and Spain's top telecommunications operator, Telefonica. "Community law ...

28 Nov, 2007: WTO Launches Probe On China Distribution; Reviews Thai IP Policies (IP-Watch)
The World Trade Organization has launched an investigation into allegations that China is unfairly limiting the flow of copyrighted material from the United States into the country. Meanwhile, the WTO issued the periodic review of Thailand’s policies including a discussion of intellectual property rights. US concerns in the new dispute are that China provides “less favourable distribution opportunities for ...

24 Nov, 2007: WTO Panel on Chinese Content Distribution Delayed (IP-Watch)
"The formation of a World Trade Organization panel requested by the United States on China’s distribution of American copyrighted material was delayed this week after a procedural move on an unrelated matter. The US panel request was to be considered by the WTO Dispute Settlement Body on 19 November, but the agenda for the meeting was blocked by Taiwan ...

23 Nov, 2007: UN Economic & Social Council Report on COSTA RICA: “Draft Concluding Observations of the Comm. on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (E/C.12/CRI/CO/4)
"24. The Committee notes with concern the potential impact of the entry into force of the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) on the State party’s obligations under the Covenant and, in particular, on traditional agriculture, labour rights, access to health, social security and the intellectual property regimes protecting, inter alia, access to generic medicines, biodiversity, water and the right of ...

13 Nov, 2007: Robin Gross’ Remarks at IGF 2007 on Internet Bill of Rights
Today I’d like to address a few issues that are specifically relevant to the positive development of the Internet and a healthy information society. 1. Freedom of Expression Rights. 2. Access to Knowledge Rights. 3. Communication Rights. 4. Privacy Rights and Data Protection. 5. Anonymity. 6. Excessive and ...

2 Nov, 2007: Canadian Gov’t Commissioned Study Finds P2P May Increase Sales (Globe & Mail)
"Industry Canada, a ministry of the federal government, released a surprising study of peer-to-peer file-sharing on the music industry. The study is called The Impact of Music Downloads and P2P File-Sharing on the Purchase of Music: A Study for Industry Canada, and was written by Birgitte Andersen and Marion Frenz, of the Department of Management at the University ...

19 Oct, 2007: Comcast Blocks Traffic of File-Sharers & Lies to Cover it Up (EFF)
This morning the Associated Press reported that Comcast is interfering with users' ability to run file sharing applications over its network. Since we spoke to Comcast last month and understood them to deny that they are doing this, we've been running our own tests. The results of our tests have agreed with AP's. Comcast is forging TCP RST ...

30 Sep, 2007: IP Justice Summary Table of USTR Section 301 Reports 2001-2007
"Under “Special 301” enacted in 1988, USTR identifies countries that denied “adequate and effective protection” of US intellectual property or that denied “fair and equitable market access” to US intellectual property holders. Any “interested person” can file a petition asking USTR to launch Section 301 investigation and deny trade benefits to a country. Often, industry trade organizations such ...

25 Sep, 2007: WTO takes up US complaint against China patent regime (AFP)
""We strongly oppose the US attempt to impose on developing members through this case," China said in a statement. ... Beijing said the case went beyond what was prescribed in the "TRIPS" agreement among the 151 WTO members, which covers intellectual property and trade. ..."

25 Sep, 2007: WTO to Investigate Chinese Piracy of US Goods (VoA)
"The World Trade Organization (WTO) has agreed to investigate a United States complaint that China is stealing its intellectual property by producing and selling counterfeit versions of its films, software and other goods. ...The European Union, Japan, Argentina, Mexico and Taiwan have joined the U.S. complaint. The panel is due to make a recommendation six to nine months ...