law

Copyright law, digital content and the Internet in the Asia-Pacific provides a unique insight into the key issues facing copyright law and digital content policy in a networked information world.

This article, published in European Intellectual Property Review outlines the way in which the rise of digital technologies and online social networks has challenged the rationale and efficacy of copyright law. In examining how the law might respond to these challenges, the piece highlights law reform issues that need to be closely considered as we move towards the 300th anniversary of the Statute of Anne in 2010.

The production of knowledge has become central to economic life. Competitiveness in the 21st century market place is now characterized by the ability to translate scientific and technological knowledge into innovation. But does this render cultural and social knowledge unimportant?

The last ten years have seen the internet and e-commerce emerge as central features of our commercial, social and cultural life. Developments such as Web 2.0, the semantic web, e-government strategies, user generated content, virtual worlds and online social networks have reshaped the way we communicate, interact and transact.

In comparing existing research on Eastern and Central Europe, Central Asia and Latin America, it is clear that legal developments in East and South Asian societies are somewhat under-researched. What the book contributes to the debate is an "area study", that is interdisciplinary research pertaining to a particular geographical or cultural region. The region discussed here presents an ideal testing ground for legal pluralism, for economic, cultural, and political influences on the role of law in development.

The chapter provides a broad overview to the topic of search engine liability for copyright infringement.

Creative economy guru, John Howkins, has a plan for a project over the next few years culminating in a congressional styled conference in London in 2010.

Coates, J. Suzor, N. and Fitzgerald, A., Legal Aspects of Web 2.0 Activities, report prepared for Smart Service Queensland, July 2007 available at http://www.ip.qut.edu.au/files/Queensland%20Government%20Report%20-%20re...

Black, P., Delaney, H. and Fitzgerald, B., ‘Legal Issues for Wikis: The Challenge of User-generated and Peer-produced Knowledge, Content and Culture’ (2007) 14(1) eLaw Journal 245-282

Book chapters

Suzor, N. and Fitzgerald, B., ‘The Role of Open Content Licences in Building Open Communities: Creative Commons, GFDL and Other Licences’ in C. Kapitzke (ed), Rethinking Intellectual Property (2007) Sense Publishing

Articles
Fitzgerald, A., Fitzgerald, B. and Coates, J., 'Creative Commons Licensing and the Re-Use of Public Sector or Government Copyright Material: The Australian Experience', iCommons Annual 2007, iCommons, July 2007