Intellectual Property & the law in a digital age
The Society's Festival of Politics sell out seminar - IP and
the Law in a Digital Age - made for an interesting debate on
the current UK IP system and options for reform, with speakers Pete
Wishart MP and Paul Carlyle, member of the Society IP Law
Committee. Austin Lafferty, Vice President of the Society, chaired
the event.
Those who missed out on a ticket can view the debate unfold
below.
Intellectual Property & the law in a digital age
Intellectual property (IP) includes copyright, patents,
trademarks, domain names and confidential information. These are
often viewed as legal or business issues but IP can also aid in the
protection and the development of the arts, music and
photography.
Future international events such as the 2012 Olympics and 2014
Commonwealth Games, present their own IP challenges and
opportunities.
David Cameron said last year "An IP system created in the era of
paper and pen may not fit the age of broadband and satellites; we
must ensure it meets the needs of the digital age."
The current UK IP system is regarded as out of date and no longer
fit for purpose. It has been suggested that reform is needed to
ensure SMEs businesses are protected and the UK is recognised as a
safe and attractive place for international business.
Guest speaker Pete Wishart MP, former member of the group Runrig,
will explore the issues and barriers within the current system and
examine cases where this has already affected the music industry,
and Solicitor Paul Carlyle, from of the Society's Intellectual
Property Law Committee is set to address how people currently
access content through mobile devices, the development of the
icloud, an online file storing facility and map out the potential
future landscape.
IP and the Law in a Digital Age
4-5pm, Friday 26 August
Committee Room 1, Scottish Parliament
IP and the Law in a Digital Age
Speakers: Pete Wishart MP and Paul Carlyle, Partner at Shepherd
and Wedderburn and member of the Society's IP Law Committee.
Further Information:
Society announces seminar at the this year's Festival of
Politics
Modernisation of intellectual property laws up for debate at
festival