19 April, 2017Understanding Illicit Streaming Devices (ISDs)
CASBAA provides a brief summary on understanding how Illicit Streaming Devices (ISDs) operate, a major issue in the Asia-Pacific TV industry. ISD delivery of content through illegitimate means is highly damaging to creative industries. Devices that receive streamed content are illegally distributed without authorization from rights-holder and therefore violate a number of copyright laws. The following paper will give a…
The UK IPO has put out a consultation paper on Illicit Streaming Devices (ISDs) in the form of an open ended inquiry. CASBAA shared views on certain global aspects of development of the ISD industry. Since the focus of our activities comprises Asian legal jurisdiction, we confined our answers to certain international questions posed by the IPO in its Call…
In this paper, we offer to MinLaw and IPOS our considered reactions to the proposals in the Consultation Paper. In addition, in keeping with the broad scope of the consultation and the need to ensure that policymakers are aware of developing trends in distribution of legitimate and illegitimate content offerings, we will offer some general background on the growth of…
11 February, 2016Intellectual Property in Broadcasting – Annual U.S. Review
CASBAA’s submission to this year’s intellectual property review by the U.S. Trade Representative documents an ongoing decline in IP protection in many Asian markets – due directly to mushrooming piracy as broadband networks are built out. Among other issues, the submission comments on: The Chinese IT industry’s supportive role in global TV piracy Hong Kong’s decline from being an IP…
6 February, 2015Annual Submission on Intellectual Property in Broadcasting
CASBAA gave its latest views to the US Trade Representative, as USTR began its annual review of intellectual property policies and practices. Most of the situations in CASBAA's Asian markets have not radically changed, though the rise of online piracy is a growing concern as the region's broadband networks are built out.
15 December, 2014Creating a Front Line to Fight Battle for Intellectual Property
British Member of Parliament Mike Weatherley looks back on his stint as an IP adviser to Prime Minister David Cameron and outlines his three-pronged strategy in winning the war against infringements Mike Weatherley says the turning point in his campaign against intellectual property rights infringement was the moment the British government decided to take him seriously about two years ago. "In the past two years the British government has made very welcoming progress," says Weatherley. "Overall I would give the government a 'B'. Not quite 'A' yet but getting there." The Conservative Party backbench parliamentarian – he was elected to his seat of Hove and Portslade on the southern coast only in 2010 – had previously been a businessman in the manufacturing and entertainment industries, two sectors that rely on a robust IP rights regime. David Cameron, who led the Conservative- dominated government elected in 2010, appointed Weatherley as IP adviser to the Prime Minister, a new position. "This was an important historic step, enabling progress in many specific areas." In true parliamentary tradition, Weatherley decided what was necessary was a report to give Cameron and his colleagues. The result was Search Engines, a private discussion paper released in May 2014. He...
3 November, 2014Discussion Papers by Mike Weatherley, MP
During the CASBAA Convention 2014, Mike Weatherley MP, Conservative MP for Hove and Portslade, UK Parliament and Former Intellectual Property Advisor to the Prime Minister was featured in an In Conversation session discussing copyright protection. As the Intellectual Property Adviser to the UK Prime Minister, Weatherley is charged with leading the British government's efforts at fighting piracy and raising awareness of IPR. Formerly the Vice President (Europe) for the Motion Picture Licensing Company, Weatherley is bringing his media industry experience to bear on the piracy problem, raising awareness in innovative ways. To find out more about his viewpoints and recommendations, download a series of discussion papers drafted by Weatherly. Read an article on Weatherley's appearance "Creating a Front Line to Fight Battle for Intellectual Property"
24 October, 2014Stark Messages for Hong Kong: You Are Losing Jobs to Piracy; Copyright Law Badly Needs Fixing
The local and international television industries united this week in delivering a stark message to Hong Kong's Legislature: the rise of online piracy is already damaging jobs and investment in one of Asia's leading media hubs, and urgent legal and enforcement action is needed to restore some level of balance in a Copyright environment that has badly deteriorated. The messages came in a series of TV industry submissions to a legislative panel considering improvements to Hong Kong's Copyright Ordinance. The law has never been updated to take account of legal and illegal digital distribution of copyrighted materials, including individual programs, linear channel streams, and entire packages of pay-TV programming. CASBAA, in its submission, noted "The 10 years of delay in formulating...these amendments mean that online piracy problems have grown and changed far beyond the expectations of those who began this process, including both government and industry."
11 August, 2014New Chinese Copyright Amendments Published
In early July, China's State Council Legislative Affairs Office published a new draft Copyright Law for public comment. Major provisions of the draft have been summarized by member company Hogan Lovells in a helpful English-language summary, which can be accessed through this web page.