News
2010 IP Watchlist released: consumers still come second to copyright cartels
20 Apr 2010
Consumers International has realeased the 2010 IP
Watchlist, a survey of 34 countries to help map global trends
in copyright laws and enforcement practices around the world. None
of the countries surveyed scored the top mark, for affording their
consumers fair treatment in copyright law overall.
Copyright law is changing rapidly, but most often the changes
are for the benefit of rights holders only, disregarding consumer
interest in fair and affordable access to educational and cultural
materials.
Particular concerns included enforcement practices that infringe
upon consumer rights, and compulsory copying levies that offer poor
value for money. However, the report also reveals some best
practices that could turn the situation around for consumers, if
only the practices were more widely implemented.
Read more...
You can download a free copy of the IP Watchlist report for
2010, and browse through the individual country reports on which
the report is based, at http://A2Knetwork.org/watchlist.
CI members can also request full-colour printed copies of the IP
Watchlist.