1. What is Protected Database rights are protectable under the Copyright and Rights in Databases Regulations (SI 1997 No 3032). A database is defined as a collection of independent works, data or other materials which are arranged in a systematic or methodical way and are individually accessible by electronic or other means. A property right (‘database…
Do intellectual property rights still provide the right framework to promote innovation and protect investment in the fast moving world of technology? This pressing question brought a packed house to Linklaters on Wednesday 23 January to hear from the experts. When Trolls Attack The first speaker was Roger Burt of IBM who tackled the tricky…
In a paper published by the ICO on its Web site, the Information Commissioner sets out the case for changes to be made to the Data Protection Act 1998. The changes seek to create: • a penalty for knowingly or recklessly failing to comply with the data protection principles so as to create a substantial…
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The Online Purchasing of Goods and Services (Age Verification) Bill 2007-08 was introduced under the Ten Minute Rule Bill procedure by Margaret Moran, the Labour MP for Luton South. Although granted a Second Reading on 16 May and ordered to be printed, it has little chance of becoming law. However, this is said to be…
Brief but important note, via the Asociated Press: the EU Art 29 Working Party group working on privacy, DP and Internet search engines (notably Google) has issued an early press release. ‘Germany’s data protection commissioner, Peter Scharr, leads the EU group preparing a report on how well the privacy policies of Internet search engines operated…
Read More… from Blog Taster: IP Addresses are Personal Data – Official
Carphone Warehouse and sister company TalkTalk have been found in breach of the Data Protection Act 1998. The Information Commissioner made the ruling after investigating complaints concerning the way in which both organisations processed and stored personal information. The ICO has now issued Carphone Warehouse and TalkTalk with an enforcement notice. The two companies must…
Read More… from ICO Enforcement Action against Carphone Warehouse and TalkTalk
From Charles Christian, the editor of the industry newsletter Legal Technology Insider Industry news is going to be the big thing in 2008. Will the IRIS Legal group (which now encompasses the old AIM, Laserform, Mountain and Videss businesses, as well as the Bar supplier Meridian) convince the market that its future strategy – including…
From Roger Bickerstaff, Partner at Bird & Bird and SCL Trustee: www.twobirds.com 1. I predict an increasing focus on open source software in the business applications environment for major corporate users – not for cost or ideological reasons but more for vendor independence reasons. Open source gives major corporate users an opportunity to develop and…
From Simon Briskman, a partner in the Technology Law Group at Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP: www.ffw.com US corporations will lobby Europe to simplify privacy laws, allowing smarter Web advertising. We will also see new Web 2.0 entrants causing valuation jitters for current platform owners. Joost and other peer-to-peer solutions will spread, whilst applications such as…
The recent events at HMRC have thrown the issue of data security into sharp focus. This article will examine some of the key technological and social drivers, which are underpinning the increasing focus of the media and the legislators on the issue of data security. I will also examine the ICO’s current guidance on the…
Read More… from Not me Gov! Data Security in the 21st Century