Following its comprehensive review and comments submitted on the various versions of the Copyright Amendment Bill and the Performers’ Protection Amendment Bill, the Chair of IP law has again submitted comments on the Bills. These comments are submitted pursuant to the invitation extended by the Select Committee on Trade and Industry, Economic Development, Small Business […]
Following its comprehensive review and comments submitted on the various versions of the Copyright Amendment Bill and the Performers’ Protection Amendment Bill, the Chair of IP law has again submitted comments on the Bills. These comments are submitted pursuant to the invitation extended by the Western Cape Provincial Parliament’s Standing Committee on Finance, Economic Opportunities […]
A basic primer on the fair dealing exemptions in copyright law, composed by Professor Owen Dean, now available for download here: Copyright Exemptions Unpacked
A basic primer on copyright law, composed by Professor Owen Dean, now available for download here: Copyright Unpacked
STATUS OF THE COPYRIGHT AMENDMENT BILL For literally years, informed commentators on copyright law have been telling the Government that the Copyright Amendment Bill is fundamentally flawed, badly drafted and misguided in many respects. Alas, none so blind as those who will not see and none so deaf as those who will not hear! The […]
The Copyright Amendment Bill (CAB) was passed by Parliament despite widespread criticism and condemnation by informed commentators. The CAB was rejected by President Ramaphosa and referred back to Parliament with the direction that it be reviewed and amended where necessary. His objections were mainly centered around the problem that it contained provisions that are in […]
Every golfer has had the experience of duffing a shot – driving the ball straight into a water hazard – and, having incurred a penalty stroke, hitting a perfect drive straight down the middle of the fairway at the second attempt. This has given rise to the golfing adage: Confucius says hit second shot first! […]
On 27 July 2015 the Department of Trade and Industry (“the DTI”) published the Copyright Amendment Bill 2015 (the “Amendment Bill”) in the Government Gazette, asking for public comment within 30 days from such date. Given the number of issues contained in the Amendment Bill that needs to be addressed, it will be almost impossible […]
NOTE: The following open letter has been delivered by email to the office of the Minister of Health of the Republic of South Africa on 31 July 2014. The contents of this letter is published here in furtherance of the debate on plain packaging legislation and the potential impact on the Constitutional rights of the […]
Note: Seldom will the VineOracle descend into the dust of the arena, even when the winner is known to her in advance. But on this occasion she considers it necessary to expound upon the recent developments in IP legal development for the sake of those who care to learn. Here is her report on the […]
