14 Nov. (16:30 - 18:00) - The public is welcome to attend the meeting of the Access to Knowledge and Freedom of Expression (A2K@IGF) Dynamic Coalition at the 2007 Internet Governance Forum (IGF). The A2K@IGF Dynamic Coalition session will include a series of presentations on the impact on access to knowledge and freedom of expression from unbalanced intellectual property rights in a digital environment.
IP Justice Recommendations for the 2007 WIPO General Assembly on the WIPO Development Agenda In 2004, at the General Assembly of the WIPO, two member nations Brazil and Argentina submitted proposals for establishing a Development Agenda for WIPO. This proposal found wide support from most member nations to WIPO. As you all know, the proposal [...]
The 'Standards Edge' conference entitled Digital Inclusion: Accelerating Global Participation & Access through Open ICT Standards. The conference will take place on November 11, 2007, one day before the Internet Governance Forum, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This conference is sponsored by Sun Microsystems and the Bolin Group. Invited sponsors include Red Hat, the Brazilian [...]
"... Build freedom of expression values into the laws and architectures that support online communication. The Internet was originally designed primarily for communication and educational purposes. The ability to communicate across the globe without any intermediary’s interference, to seek out desired knowledge, and freely associate with ideas and communities close to one’s heart, are at the core of what makes the Internet such a powerful tool for development. These specific early infrastructural design choices remain key to the Internet’s contribution as a global resource for knowledge and development. We can bridge the gap in the digital divide by continuing to design the Internet with these ends in mind, and implement technical protocols and public policy choices that encourage the Internet as a tool of unencumbered free expression and access to knowledge. If we choose anything other than an “Internet for Developmentâ€, we are building a wall that serves to widen the gap between those with a wealth of information at their fingertips and those starved for knowledge. ..."
I speak on behalf of the A2K@IGF Dynamic Coalition, who’s purpose is to support and expand Access to Knowledge and promote freedom of expression in the realm of information and communication technology. Our coalition is particularly concerned with the impact that unbalanced intellectual property rights have on the Internet as a tool of free expression, innovation, education, and development. A2K@IGF joins in supporting the statement from Brazil and Argentina this morning to focus the openness theme on fundamental rights and open standards, and the diversity theme on knowledge production and sharing. ...
Our coalition is particularly concerned about the impact that unbalanced intellectual property rights have on the Internet as a tool of free expression, innovation, education, and development. One focus of the coalition is setting methodologies or best practice norms for the implementation of laws dealing with Technological Protection Measures (TPM) and Digital Rights Management (DRM) restrictions, which have been shown to present serious impediments to access to knowledge and the free flow of information. Another focus is on coordinating participation and awareness of Access to Knowledge (A2K) activities at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), including proposals for a Development Agenda and an Access to Knowledge Treaty at WIPO. Another area of concern for our coalition is with increasing attempts to impose liability on third parties, particularly information providers, for the infringing activities of others. ...
By Robin Gross, IP Justice Executive Director - Yale Law School Information Society Project on Access to Knowledge
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An important goal of our coalition is to make recommendations for implementation of the anti-circumvention provisions contained in the 1996 WIPO “Internet Treaties†and more recent bi-lateral trade agreements. Therefore key deliverables will be the development of “best practice norms†for DRM technologies and anti-circumvention laws and report our progress at the 2007 IGF meeting in Rio de Janeiro.
- Internet’s open and free nature are key to accessing knowledge and development - Internet Governance Policies and Intellectual Property Rights - IP Justice Recommendations for an Internet Governance Forum Discussion to Promote the Internet as a Tool for Access to Knowledge and Development: 1. Preserve Openness of Internet and Free Flow of Information: - Build Freedom of Expression Values into Laws & Architectures - Critical Online Speech Censored by Copyright and Trademark -“Digital Locks†Control Flow of Information and Threaten Interoperability - Preserve Interoperability with Open and Free Technical Standards - Governments Adopt Open Document Formats - Encourage Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) Development 2. Grow the Online Information Commons: - Recognize Internet as Valuable Tool for Access to Knowledge - Protect and Value Public Domain - Database Rights Restrict Free Flow of Information on Internet - Provide Online Access to Publicly Funded Research - Recognize Social Value of Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Software 3. Build Respect for Civil Liberties into IPR Laws and Procedures Addressing Online Behavior - ICANN’s Whois Policy Must Conform with Privacy Laws - US DMCA “Notice and Take-Down†Provisions Should Comply with Due Process Conclusion: IGF Should Address Relationship Between Intellectual Property Rights, Free Expression, and Access to Knowledge