28 May, 2008: ‘Fair use’ stipulation planned for intellectual property in Japan (asahi.com)
"The government will ease its stringent restrictions on using copyrighted works, a development that will affect activities ranging from posting personal pictures on websites to developing Internet search engines, sources said. The Intellectual Property Strategy Headquarters, led by Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, has decided to make a Japanese version of a U.S. copyright law stipulation that allows for the ...

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 ...

21 Nov, 2007: S. Korea Urged to Increase IPR in EU Trade Talks (IP-Watch)
South Korea has been urged to strengthen its intellectual property rules in order to sign a free trade agreement with the European Union. Talks are underway between the EU and the Seoul government aimed at achieving a far-reaching liberalisation of commerce between the two sides. In a report approved on 20 November by the European Parliament’s international trade ...

18 Oct, 2007: US should be more rational about IPR issues - China official UPDATE (Forbes.com)
"Speaking to reporters, Tian said that China's IPR legal system will take some time to evolve, noting that Western IPR concepts took some time to mature. 'China's IPR legal system has only existed for 20 years,' he said. 'Britain took 300 years and America 200 years. We need at least another generation.'

11 Oct, 2007: US Requests Second WTO Panel On China’s IP Protection (IP-Watch)
"The United States has decided to step up its challenge to China’’s restrictions on copyright-protected books, music and films by asking the World Trade Organization to establish a dispute settlement panel. During June and July, the US and China held formal talks over trade restrictions applied by the Beijing authorities. “Those discussions have not led to a resolution of ...

27 Sep, 2007: China ‘regrets’ US repeated IPR complaint to WTO (China Daily)
"China regrets that the United States has appealed to the World Trade Organization (WTO) for the second time to set up an expert panel to investigate US complaints that China is failing to do enough to protect intellectual property rights (IPRs), a Chinese government spokesman said on Thursday. The Chinese government would actively respond to the US request and ...

27 Sep, 2007: WTO Inquiry Launched Into US Complaints Against China’s IP Record (IP-Watch)
"A World Trade Organization panel will formally investigate United States complaints that China has failed to adequately protect intellectual property rights on goods such as software and movies, a move criticised by Beijing. WTO’s Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) on 25 September established a panel following Washington’s second request to look into its allegations against China. Findings from the inquiry ...

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 ...

13 Aug, 2007: US Elevates WTO IP Case Against China By Seeking Panel (IP-Watch)
"The United States has asked the World Trade Organization to take the next level a case it filed on China’s intellectual property rights protection after four months of consultations did not lead to the desired results, the US Trade Representative (USTR) said. The case on copyright and trademark protection was filed in April together with a case relating to ...

18 Jul, 2007: US Targets Chinese Music Download Rules (Fox”news”)
"GENEVA — The United States is seeking consultations with China over rules on music downloading and cinema rights that appear to discriminate against foreign sound recordings and films, a U.S. trade official said Wednesday. Hollywood studios and U.S. Internet music providers such as Apple Inc.'s iTunes store could be among the groups that suffer from "less favorable distribution ...

16 Jul, 2007: Memo on US-Korea “Free Trade” Agreement and Intellectual Property Rights
"The United States and Korea entered into a historic "Free Trade" Agreement (FTA) in April 2007. Chapter 18 of the FTA deals with Intellectual Property Rights. This memorandum will go through and explain each major article discussed in the chapter and where relevant, will contrast these provisions with those of the TRIPS agreement. This memorandum will also ...

12 Jun, 2007: Yahoo Shareholders Reject Proposed China Policy to Oppose Censorship (BBC)
"Yahoo shareholders have rejected plans for the company to adopt a policy that opposes censorship on the Internet. Proposals to set up a human rights committee which would review its policies around the world, specifically China, were also heavily defeated. Yahoo has been criticized by human rights groups since 2005 for its role in turning over some political dissidents' ...

4 Jun, 2007: Korean Civil Society Coalition against KORUS FTA on Intellectual Property Rights
"both governments agree on the objective of shutting down the internet sites that permit unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or transmission of copyright works. Korean government shutting down even P2P service and webhard service. I think most of the internet sites including portal, UCC/UGC, blog sites etc.can be shut down by the government. And it also includes strong enforcements activities on book ...