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    Deadline approaching for privacy law & policy course, Amsterdam

Deadline approaching for privacy law & policy course, Amsterdam

The University of Amsterdam’s Institute for Information Law will be holding its third annual Summer Course on Privacy Law and Policy from July 6-10, 2015. The course will focus on privacy law and policy related to the Internet, electronic communications and online and social media. It will feature a faculty of leading experts from the EU and the US who will explore the recent developments in this rapidly changing field and explain how businesses, governments and others can achieve their goals within it.

Those who wish to secure a place are encouraged to apply soon and by 30 March at the latest.  Additional information—including a list of faculty, a detailed course programme and a link for online registration—is available at http://www.ivir.nl/courses/plp/plp.html.

Photo Patrick Clenet CC

By |March 6th, 2015|0 Comments|
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    European Regulators call for new EU commission to set standards for independence

European Regulators call for new EU commission to set standards for independence

The European Regulators Group for Audiovisual Media Services formally adopted a statement on the need for regulatory independence at its second full meeting in Brussels. In an agenda setting move for the incoming college of Commissioners the group of 28 heads or high level representatives of the independent national regulatory authorities for audiovisual media services called for “the identification, at European level, of common characteristics that any independent regulator in our sector should be equipped with.” They specifically referred to the mention in the Audiovisual Media Services Directive’s Article 30 of “independent regulatory bodies” and requested the new commission consider their recommendation in the upcoming REFIT, or review, of this legislation.

By |October 21st, 2014|0 Comments|
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    UK Information Commissioner launches data protection guidance for journalists

UK Information Commissioner launches data protection guidance for journalists

The UK’s Information Commissioner Christopher Graham launched his office’s new guidance for journalists on data protection today. The guidance was developed after an open consultation and in response to the recommendations from the report of the Leveson Inquiry into the culture, ethics and practices of the press.

The guidance covers basic principles of data protection as well as practical issues related to access, storage and sharing of personal data.

At the same time ICO has also launched a consultation on its data sharing code of practice that will run until 5 October 2014.

By |September 4th, 2014|0 Comments|
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    European High Level Group on Spectrum Recommends Transfer of 700MHz Band from Broadcasting to Broadband

European High Level Group on Spectrum Recommends Transfer of 700MHz Band from Broadcasting to Broadband

Former European Commissioner Pascal Lamy, who lead a High Level Group on Spectrum formed by the EC, presented the Commission with his report from the group. It contained two recommendations on the use of the airwaves across Europe:

The 700 MHz band (694-790 MHz)  currently used by terrestrial broadcasting networks and wireless microphones should be re-purposed to wireless broadband across Europe by 2020

Use by terrestrial broadcasters of the remaining UHF spectrum below 700 MHz should be safeguarded until 2030

Lamy’s report also called for a full assessment of market and technological developments by 2025.

The full report can be found here.

By |September 1st, 2014|0 Comments|
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    UK ICO sets out how ‘Big Data’ use should conform to data protection rules

UK ICO sets out how ‘Big Data’ use should conform to data protection rules

In a new report issued today, the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) sets out how data protection rules apply to the use of big data. The main message of the report is that working with big data must be done within the same rules as any other data meaning that the obligations on data controllers and processors are the same.

The ICO maintains that current UK and EU data protection rules are adequate for big data and can accommodate innovative uses of such data. It emphasising that transparency about how personal data is being used remains crucial and gives specific guidance.

The full report “Big Data and Data Protection is available here.

 

By |July 28th, 2014|0 Comments|
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UK Phone hacking verdicts: Coulson guilty; Brooks not

A jury in the UK has returned verdicts on the two most high profile cases resulting from the phone hacking scandal that kicked off the Leveson Inquiry. Andy Coulson, the former Editor of News of the World who went from the paper to be the Director of Communications in the Prime Minister’s cabinet, was found guilty of conspiracy to intercept telecommunications. Two other verdicts remain pending for Coulson.

Rebekah Brooks, another former NoTW editor who also served as editor of The Sun and then CEO of News International was found not guilty along with her personal assistant.

Photo by Ninian Reid CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

By |June 24th, 2014|0 Comments|
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  • Permalink ECHR overturns injunction against political leaflets in Germany. Photo by Marcella CC BY-NC-SA 2.0Gallery

    European Court of Human Rights overturns German injunction against political leaflets

European Court of Human Rights overturns German injunction against political leaflets

The European Court of Human Rights has ruled in the case of  Brosa v. Germany that a court-imposed injunction banning a political activist from distributing leaflets targeting a political candidate violated Article 10 of the European Convention. The Court determined that the German courts should have deemed the leaflet to be fair comment on a matter of public interest.

The Strasbourg Observers have produced a legal analysis of the case explaining the ruling and declaring it to be a victory for freedom of expression.

Photo by Marcella CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

By |May 21st, 2014|0 Comments|
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  • Permalink Photo by Robert Scoble CC-BY-2.0Gallery

    ECJ rules in Google-Spain case: upholds right to be forgotten

ECJ rules in Google-Spain case: upholds right to be forgotten

A landmark ruling from the European Court of Justice (ECJ) means that Google Spain must remove from its indexes and essentially erase any information related to Costeja González, who brought the case against the search engine giant along with the Spanish data protection authority.

The court’s decision will likely have significant implications for the industry as its interpretation holds that by indexing and storing information search engines are conducting the “processing of personal data” and must erase, or remove from searchability, information related to individuals should they request it.

Photo by Robert Scoble CC-BY-2.0

By |May 13th, 2014|1 Comment|
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Ofcom releases UK spectrum strategy

Ofcom released its spectrum strategy for the UK entitled “Meeting the Demand for Wireless Services”intended to cover the next 10 years. According to the strategy Ofcom aims to release some of the spectrum currently used for broadcasting for mobile broadband after 2018. Sharing of spectrum also figures heavily in the strategy, especially for enabling the kind of machine to machine communications required in what is referred to as the Internet of things (e.g. smart gas meters or blood sugar level monitors).

The regulator also supports the governments’ spectrum strategy, which includes plans for  the release of 500MHz of spectrum currently used by public institutions mainly the military.

photo by Bartosz Makara 

By |April 30th, 2014|0 Comments|
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    UK’s IPO announces research priorities, opportunities for academics to contribute evidence

UK’s IPO announces research priorities, opportunities for academics to contribute evidence

The UK’s Intellectual Property Office (IPO) announced its research and evidence priorities for 2014-2015 on Friday 11 April. The IPO regularly commissions external research or jointly funds research publications so these priorities outline some  ways for academics and other researchers to contribute to IP policy. Among others the IPO has identified the following areas:

Research into costs of infringement and use and proportionality of sanctions including:

• An International Comparison of online copyright infringement;
• Measuring Design Infringement;
• The economic impact of Social Media – Opportunities and Threats ; and
• An overall review of criminal sanctions available for copyright infringement.

A review / evaluation of existing Intellectual Property trading platforms, in support of IPO initiatives on IP enabled investment finance.
How can the licensing of copyright material be improved and made more effective?
Assess and support the development of the evidence base on issues relating to European Commission copyright proposals, to inform the UK’s position on the future development of copyright in Europe.

By |April 14th, 2014|0 Comments|
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