Sunny with a Chance of Chill: Forecasting EU's New Cloud Computing Strategy

At the risk of raining on the EU's cloud parade, the European Commission's recently unveiled report, “Unleashing the Potential of Cloud Computing in Europe”, also threatens to unleash a legal storm of international regulatory ordeals, multi-jurisdictional issues, privacy and security battles, and commercial liability. Alas, that is the price of technological ambition: one is always waiting for […]

EU Adopts Public-Use Policy for Orphan Works

On Thursday, September 13, 2012, the European Parliament adopted a new directive stating that cinematographic and audiovisual works as well as phonograms that are protected by copyright but whose rights holders cannot be found could be made available to the public across the EU.

Copyright Reform, The Irish Way

The current copyright statute in Ireland is the Copyright & Related Rights Act 2000. It was changed (a little) to bring Irish law into line with the EU Copyright Directive (2001), but not much has happened since. But following a promise in the coalition agreement after the 2011 general election, a Copyright Review Committee (chaired […]

Semantics? LG Electronic’s Losing Battle Over DIRECT DRIVE®

Courtney Doagoo is a doctoral student at the University of Ottawa, Faculty of Law. On November 22, 2011, the European Community Court of Justice rejected an Appeal made by LG Electronics for the trade mark registration of the word sign DIRECT DRIVE for Class 7 and 11 wares (namely electric washing machines for household purposes, […]

British Sky v Digital Satellite Warranty: A "Made in Europe" Approach To Database Protection

Courtney Doagoo is a doctoral student at the University of Ottawa, Faculty of Law. On October 27, 2011, the High Court of Justice Chancery Division ruled in favour of British Sky Broadcasting Group PLC et al. (Sky) on a summary judgment against Digital Satellite Warranty Cover Limited et al. (Defendants). The Defendants were held liable […]

EU Affirms Commitment To Homegrown Google Books Alternative

Ben Farrow is a JD candidate at Osgoode Hall Law School. On October 27, 2011 the European Commission adopted a recommendation (2011/711/EU) calling for the nations of the EU to pool their resources and renew their commitment to the digitisation of European cultural texts and artifacts. These cultural materials are stored in Europe’s digital library, […]

‘Symbols of Despotism’: The Refusal to Register a Trademark in the EU

Courtney Doagoo is a doctoral student at the University of Ottawa, Faculty of Law. On September 20, 2011, the General Court of the European Union released its decision to refuse the registration of a Community trademark for the for the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) coat of arms, upholding the previous ruling by […]

EU hears pan-European Copyright Proposal

Over this past week, the Members of the European Parliament have been deliberating over a new proposal for a pan-European copyright licensing system for digital content. Proposed on Tuesday in Strasbourg by Viviane Reding, Commissioner for Information Society and Media, and Meglena Kuneva, Commissioner for Consumer Affairs, the new plan would pave the way for […]