| Author (Corporate) | Deutsche Welle |
|---|---|
| Series Title | Article |
| Series Details | 25.5.11 |
| Publication Date | 25/05/2011 |
| Content Type | News |
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Intellectual property rights (IPR), which comprise patents, trademarks, designs and geographical indications, as well as copyright (authors' rights) and rights related to copyright (for performers, producers and broadcasters), have been around for centuries. Often, without even realising, they affect our daily lives: they protect the technology we use (cars, mobile phones, trains), the food we eat and the music we listen to or the films we watch. But in the last few years, technological change and, in particular, the growing importance of online activities, have completely changed the world in which IPR operate. The existing mix of European and national rules are no longer adapted and need to be modernised. Within that context the European Commission adopted on the 25 4 May 2011 a comprehensive strategy to revamp the legal framework in which IPR operate. The objective was to enable inventors, creators, users and consumers to adapt to the new circumstances and to enhance new business opportunities. The new rules were aimed to strike the right balance between promoting creation and innovation, in part by ensuring reward and investment for creators and, on the other hand, promoting the widest possible access to goods and services protected by IPR. Getting this balance right should make a real difference to businesses (from the individual artist working alone to the big pharmaceutical companies) by encouraging investment in innovation. This will benefit the EU's growth and competitiveness which is delivered through the single market. Consumers would benefit from wider and easier access to information and cultural content, for example online music. The strategy deals with many issues to ensure IPR are covered comprehensively - from the patent a business needs to protect an invention to tackling the misuse of such inventions via a proposal also adopted on the 25 May 2011 which will strengthen action on counterfeiting and piracy. Among the first deliverables of this IPR overall strategy are proposals for an easier licensing system for so-called 'orphan works' that will allow many cultural works to be accessible online, and for a new regulation to reinforce customs actions in fighting trade of IPR infringing goods. |
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| Source Link | http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,15105967,00.html |
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| Subject Categories | Internal Markets |
| Countries / Regions | Europe |
