A big week for copyright in the courts

via Open Rights Group blog by Peter Bradwell

Last week copyright court rulings were like London buses. There were loads of them, but not ones that we really wanted. On Wednesday and Thursday there were three big decisions covering three very different issues. Lots to pick over for copyright geeks, law experts and anybody who cares about how the Internet is regulated. Here's a quick run down of what's going on.

1. The “Newzbin” judgement
2. NLA / Meltwater
3. The “Stormtrooper helmet” case

The light at the end of the tunnel is that if these rulings together are clouds over the current copyright debate, the silver lining is the government’s likely support for the findings of the Hargreaves Review of IP.

Read for yourself and get not only Peter Bradwell’s view of these cases but also links to the judgement documents from judiciary.gov.uk. Very useful.

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IP (intellectual property) Intrigue: From Patent Battle to Bestseller

Once thought esoteric or dull, IP is becoming a favorite subject for thrillers, theatrical drama and charged historical debate. Readers may recall the 2006 best-selling novel Errors and Omissions by Paul Goldstein, in which a copyright lawyer is embroiled in international intrigue while verifying IP rights for a spy movie franchise. Goldstein’s inspiration came from a case in which he helped defend the rights of MGM and United Artists to the James Bond series. Recently, two new works inspired by patent battles have been attracting media coverage.
Read the full article from WIPO Magazine

Hazel's comment
I spent long hours trying to develop a workshop on copyright that would be fun -- ar at least enjoyable -- and now it's the subject of popular film! Such is life.
At least the message is getting into the wild -- intellectual property is valuable.