Blog Post
New Copyright Directive proposals – a help or a hindrance?
On 12 September 2018, the European Parliament voted in favour of a number of amendments that have been made to the draft Copyright Directive. This follows the previous vote on 5 July 2018 when the EP controversially rejected the previous draft. Some are hailing this a victory for the creative industry as it is hoped the Directive will provide for fair remuneration for copyright holders. Others, however, are up in arms that these provisions will restrict the free flow of content on the internet.
Blog Post
Will EU law change to address challenges relating to 3D printing?
On 26 June 2018, the Committee of Legal Affairs of the European Parliament (JURI) published a report on three-dimensional printing specifically focusing on the challenges concerning IP rights and civil liability and called on the European Commission to consider such issues particularly when assessing Directive 2004/48/E (the "Enforcement Directive") and Directive 85/374/EEC (the "Product Liability Directive"). This has now been adopted by the European Parliament on 3 July 2018.
Blog Post
Draft Copyright Directive in state of flux as European Parliament rejects controversial proposals
A plenary vote (where all members of the European Parliament come together) took place last week on 5 July 2018 in relation to the draft text of the new Copyright Directive in the digital single market, and in a shock turn around, the European Parliament rejected the current draft by a margin of 318-278. This means that Parliament’s position will now be up for debate, amendment and a further vote during the next plenary session in September 2018 (10th-13th), instead of progressing to the fast track trilogue negotiation process.