IP Law & Policy
Examining patents, trademarks & designs: the art of IP examiners
Assessing patent, trademark, geographical indication and design applications is the skilled work of IP examiners. Discover the critical role they play in the IP system.
The 18th-century legal case that changed the face of music copyright law
When Johann Christian Bach sued unauthorized publishers in 18th-century London, he won legal recognition for musical works as intellectual property. According to Eyal Brook, his victory still echoes in today’s digital music landscape.
US Copyright Office on AI: Human creativity still matters, legally
How much human input must have gone into AI-generated art for it to fall under copyright? When the US Copyright Office set out to answer this question, it found that the human touch makes all the difference. But there are distinctions.
AI voice cloning: how a Bollywood veteran set a legal precedent
Playback singer Arijit Singh is the most followed artist on Spotify. When his voice was cloned, the resulting court case highlighted growing concerns around AI, IP and personality rights.
A FRAND in need: why establishing standardized technologies is so complicated
Wi-Fi, 5G and Bluetooth are part of our everyday lives. But implementing such standards is a process fraught with IP challenges. In the push and pull between patent holders and product developers, everyone feels a little like Snoopy.
In the Pipeline: A New Treaty for Designers
Design is all around us, but protecting it is a challenge. Success at the upcoming Diplomatic Conference in Riyadh would lead to a new international treaty that will facilitate design protection worldwide.
The new WIPO Treaty 25 years in the making: what does it mean and what happens next?
Designed to curb biopiracy, a historic new WIPO treaty builds bridges between IP, Indigenous Peoples, biotech and biodiversity conservation efforts.
Can access to published research help local science and innovation?
Low-cost access to information can drive research and clinical trials in developing economies and contribute to SDGs. But different regions are affected in different ways. So how can low-performing institutions catch up?
In the Courts: The US Supreme Court’s Warhol decision revisits the boundaries of fair use
In May 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down its decision on the Warhol case. The decision upheld the claim by the celebrity photographer, Lynn Goldsmith, that the Andy Warhol Foundation (AWF) had infringed her copyright in a photo of the late entertainer Prince, when, after Prince’s death in 2016, the Foundation licensed an illustration by Andy Warhol based on that photo, to Vanity Fair for a cover.
Resolving Life Sciences Disputes Beyond the Courts
The multi-trillion dollar life sciences industry is dynamic, innovative and complex, making it more prone to disputes than other sectors. Why is it that many within the sector now see mediation and arbitration as useful alternatives to court litigation?
In the Courts: Ed Sheeran Succeeds in Music Copyright Infringement Case, but it’s not over yet…
In May 2023, a US court found that Ed Sheeran’s hit Thinking Out Loud did not copy Marvin Gaye’s Let’s Get It On. The crux of this case was that while parts of the two songs are similar, those parts are unprotected elements that are freely available for everyone to use.
The Right to Repair: Recent Developments in the USA
Do you automatically think you have the right to repair your smartphone or any other electronic product you own? The fascinating debate around the right-to-repair, in which IP rights are central, reveals that this is not always the case.
Resolving Video Games and eSports Disputes: How Can WIPO's Alternative Dispute Resolution Options Help?
Video games and eSports are thriving and fast becoming an important contributor to the global economy. But with such dynamism comes an increasing risk of disputes. Can alternatives to court litigation, like mediation and arbitration, offer stakeholders a more flexible, speedy and cost-effective dispute resolution option?
Is an International Agreement on IP, Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge Finally in Sight?
International agreement on IP, genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge finally in sight with decision to hold a diplomatic conference by 2024. Next steps and the high-level policy conundrum negotiators need to unravel.
Patent Office Sustainability and the Role of Artificial Intelligence
To improve processing times, a number of patent offices are turning to AI-powered solutions to help them tackle the rising volume and complexity of patent applications.
Arbitration and mediation: resolving patent licensing disputes in the world of standardized technology
Standardized technology ensures the digital devices we use every day communicate seamlessly. The so-called standard essential patents that underpin a technology standard and the terms under which they are licensed can trigger legal disputes. Arbitration and mediation offers notable benefits in handling them.
Esports: an overview of a new(ish) frontier in digital entertainment
Esports are growing in popularity, with the expanding esports industry expected to generate USD 1.38 billion in 2022 according to Newzoo. Andrea Rizzi explores the legal complexity surrounding e-sports and the need for a balanced and effective governance system.
Digital economy: the search for new governance mechanisms
The expansion of the digital economy is raising important ethical questions about the use, governance and regulation of big data and artificial intelligence. Can the search for new digital governance approaches benefit from consideration of Eastern philosophies and approaches.
Apheris: solving the data privacy dilemma
How do you enable sophisticated artificial intelligence (AI) tools while respecting the privacy and protecting Intellectual Property of data assets? Apheris, a Berlin-based startup believes federated learning provides the answer.
IP and youth: educating our future innovators
Young people today are demanding an education that will give them with the knowledge and skills to make sustainability a reality. How are educators responding and what are the benefits of entrepreneurial education in a rapidly changing world?
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