May 9, 2015 – TCPA Watch

Webinar May 12: Update on EU’s Digital Single Market Strategy

May 09 2015

What Does It Mean for Your Business?

K&L Gates will present a webinar on May 12 discussing the EU’s Digital Single Market strategy, which was released last week by the European Commission. The webinar is at 15:00 BST / 16:00 CEST / 10:00 EDT. Register here to get log-in instructions.

The objective of this strategy is to tear down the regulatory obstacles to doing business online, and it will pose potential major challenges as well as opportunities for almost every company doing business in the EU. According to the European Commission the reforms could add €415bn per year to the European economy. The strategy is built on three pillars:

better access for consumers and businesses to digital goods and services across Europe;
creating the right conditions and a level playing field for digital networks and innovative services to flourish;
maximising the growth potential of the digital economy.

For more information click here to view the European Commission’s press release.
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U.S. Copyright Office Chief Testifies: Eight Issues Ready for Legislation

May 09 2015

By Mark Wittow and Stephanie Liu | IP Law Watch

On April 29, 2015, U.S. Register of Copyrights, Maria Pallante, testified to the House Judiciary Committee providing the Copyright Office’s perspective on updates to U.S. copyright law. In addition to recommending a more autonomous Copyright Office and flagging policy issues that warrant further analysis and attention, Ms. Pallante identified eight issues deserving current legislative action:1. Music Licensing. After undertaking a comprehensive study last year to assess the impact of copyright law on the music marketplace, the Copyright Office recommends

a. greater negotiating room for public performance rights while preserving the benefits of collective licensing for smaller actors

b. U.S. recognition of a full public performance right for sound recordings

c. federal copyright protection for pre-1972 sound recordings.

2. Copyright Small Claims. The Copyright Office recommends creation of an alternative, administrative tribunal as a wholly voluntary alternative to federal court that is focused on small infringement cases valued at no more than US$30,000. In the Office’s draft legislation, the tribunal could award monetary or limited statutory damages in non-precedential decisions.

Archive:May 9, 2015