George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School

Just What Is the Case with the CASE Act? A Brief Overview

The following post comes from Ryan Reynolds, a 3L at Scalia Law and Research Assistant at CPIP.

chrome copyright symbolBy Ryan Reynolds

The phrase “creators have rights, but no remedies” is likely familiar to those aware of the current landscape of copyright protection for individual creators and small businesses (“Creators”). Read more

Professors Balganesh and Menell on “The Curious Case of the Restatement of Copyright”

The following post comes from Ryan Reynolds, a 3L at Scalia Law and Research Assistant at CPIP.

a gavel lying on a desk in front of booksBy Ryan Reynolds

In 2015, the American Law Institute (ALI) made the announcement that it would restate an area of law that is dominated by a detailed statute—the Restatement of Copyright. Read more

Senate IP Subcommittee Considers the Role of Private Agreements and Existing Technology in Curbing Online Piracy

The following post comes from Liz Velander, a recent graduate of Scalia Law and a Research Assistant at CPIP.

U.S. Capitol buildingBy Liz Velander

In mid-December, the Senate Intellectual Property Subcommittee, led by its Chairman, Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC), held a hearing entitled “The Role of Private Agreements and Existing Technology in Curbing Online Piracy.” Read more

New Paper Looks at “Ill-Advised Legislative Proposals” to Address Pharmaceutical “Evergreening”

The following post comes from Yumi Oda, an LLM Candidate at Scalia Law and a Research Assistant at CPIP.

dictionary entry for the word "innovate"By Yumi Oda

Many believe that drug prices in the U.S. are unnecessarily high because the pharmaceutical industry is exploiting legal loopholes and acquiring dubious patents to extend protection and delay generics from entering the market (so-called “evergreening” behavior by drug innovators). Read more

Rep. Massie Introduces New Legislation to Restore America’s Patent System

dictionary entry for the word "legislation"Yesterday, Representative Thomas Massie introduced the Restoring America’s Leadership in Innovation Act of 2018 (H.R. 6264). This legislation would reverse many of the harms that have been caused by recent changes to the patent laws from all three branches of government.  Read more

The STRONGER Patents Act: The House Receives Its Own Legislation to Protect Our Innovation Economy

U.S. Capitol buildingToday, Representatives Steve Stivers (R-OH) and Bill Foster (D-IL) introduced the Support Technology & Research for Our Nation’s Growth and Economic Resilience (STRONGER) Patents Act of 2018. This important piece of legislation will protect our innovation economy by restoring stable and effective property rights for inventors. Read more

The STRONGER Patents Act: Important Legislation to Protect Our Innovation Economy

U.S. Capitol buildingToday, Senators Chris Coons, Tom Cotton, Dick Durbin, and Mazie Hirono introduced the Support Technology & Research for Our Nation’s Growth and Economic Resilience (STRONGER) Patents Act of 2017. This important piece of legislation will protect our innovation economy by restoring stable and effective property rights for inventors. Read more

CPIP Co-Founder Testifies at House Judiciary Committee Hearing on IP

U.S. Capitol buildingCPIP co-founder Adam Mossoff testified on June 13 before the House Judiciary Committee’s subcommittee on the Courts, Intellectual Property and the Internet.  He and other witnesses testified about the impact of the Supreme Courts recent decision in TC Heartland LLC v. Read more

Register of Copyrights Selection and Accountability Act is First Step Towards a Modern Copyright Office

U.S. Capitol buildingThe House Judiciary Committee today overwhelmingly approved the bipartisan Register of Copyrights Selection and Accountability Act by a vote of 27-1. Introduced last Thursday by Chairman Bob Goodlatte and Ranking Member John Conyers, Jr.—with the support of Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, Ranking Member Dianne Feinstein, and Senator Patrick Leahy—the Act is the first legislative effort to follow a four-year review of U.S. Read more

European Union Draws a Line on Infringing Hyperlinks

Cross-posted from the Mister Copyright blog.

a gavel lying on a table in front of booksLast week, the European Court of Justice—the judicial authority of the European Union—issued an anticipated decision in the Sanoma hyperlinking case, declaring that commercial linking with knowledge of unauthorized content constitutes copyright infringement. The opinion comes after years of similar cases in Europe stirred debate over whether linking to pirated works was a ‘communication to the public’ and therefore infringing, and provides a sensible test that protects the works of authors and creators while ensuring the internet remains a bastion of free speech. Read more