MegaUpload, a popular filesharing "locker" website has been shut down by the US Government, charged with being a worldwide criminal organisation for online piracy. read more »
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The online world is in a spin over new proposed legislation recently introduced in the US to target online copyright pirates. read more »
This week I asked myself a very serious question: Which type of intellectual property law is the best? read more »
I am sure many blog readers would be familiar with this experience: You are casually browsing videos on YouTube and are confronted with the “black screen of death”. read more »
You know it’s going to be a good case when the respondent is served by text message. This case was about selling counterfeit G-Star clothing. It’s a useful reminder of how the court is treating small scale infringements of well-known brands. Here the Court found copyright infringement had occurred and ordered the respondent to pay $63,000, most of which was for loss or reputation and exemplary damages due to the flagrancy of the infringement. read more »
A new website based in the US called ReDigi launched recently, offering consumers a way to sell their ‘used’ digital music files. Second hand digital music markets raise some interesting copyright issues, with different implications for jurisdictions across the world. read more »
On 14 December, the UK Intellectual Property Office launched a copyright consultation, containing further details of a proposal to introduce a fair dealing exception for parodies, caricature and pastiche. read more »
Earlier this month, the Supreme Court of Canada heard five copyright cases on appeal from Canada’s Copyright Board (the “Board”). The cases have far reaching implications for copyright owners and users alike. The legality of photocopying textbooks for school children and previewing songs on iTunes is at stake, as is the right of copyright owners to receive royalties for music downloaded by consumers as part of video games. read more »
Last week, the High Court heard the iiNet v Roadshow Films appeal. The case concerns whether iiNet can be held liable for authorising its customers’ copyright infringements. The question of how copyright can be protected in an internet age is a difficult one and the Justice Hayne identified a basic conundrum in this area of copyright law. read more »
As many of us know, deleting something from a phone, laptop or computer doesn’t mean it is actually “deleted.” This is because deleting a file (including a text message) is but the first step in permanently removing that file from any electronic device. It’s why you are readily able to restore your uni paper, Christmas card list, or uber-important work document (phew!) from the Recycle Bin on your desktop. read more »