Posts filed under 'Legislation'
April 16th, 2009 at 01:31am
On Thursday April 9, the French National Assembly rejected an Internet piracy bill that punished repeat illegal downloaders. The bill won preliminary parliamentary approval but was eventually defeated by a vote of 21-15. Under the bill, a first time offense of downloading illegal material would be punished by a warning and a second time offense would be punished by up to a one-year ban. The bill was supported by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, which represents the recording industry and opposed by the UFC-Que Choisir, a French consumer interest group.
Other nations in Europe have been struggling with balancing the protection of copyright materials and privacy concerns. In January 2008, the European Court of Justice found that telecommunication companies in Spain did not have to share the identities of Internet users suspected of illegal file sharing. A Belgium court in June 2007, on the other hand, ordered a file sharing website to filter users found sharing copyrighted material.
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March 14th, 2009 at 05:18pm
Last Tuesday, the Somali Cabinet voted to introduce a bill that would make Islamic law, also known as Shariah, the basis of Somalia’s legal system. The bill is pending approval by parliament, which is expected to hear it in a matter of days.
In the past two years, fights between insurgents and pro-government forces have led to the deaths of thousands of Somalis. The new bill is an attempt to end insurgent attacks by weakening extreme groups within an increasingly divided Islamic insurgency. Several moderate insurgent groups, including the Islamic Party, have agreed to stop fighting if Shariah is formally introduced.
Although Somalia’s transitional charter recognizes Islam as the basis of Somali law, scholars have argued it is un-Islamic because it is not based on the Quran. Information Minister Farhan Ali Mohamed suggests that if the new bill is passed, the next step would be to bring Somalia’s constitution in line with Muslim principles.
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February 4th, 2009 at 12:08pm
In a January 26th Panel Report, a WTO Panel has concluded that certain aspects of Chinese Copyright Law and Customs Measures were inconsistent with Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement. Specifically, the Panel found that Article 4 of Chinese Copyright Law, which prevented the works of foreign authors whose publication and distribution has not been authorized by Chinese Authorities from enjoying the same rights as Chinese authors, was inconsistent with WTO regulations It also found that the Chinese Customs Measure provision allowing infringing goods to be released into the channels of commerce in some circmstances was inconsistent with Chinas obligations under Article 59. Lastly, the Panel ruled in favor of China on the charge that the criminal procedures and penalties for violation of Copyright and other Intellectual Property Laws were inconsistent with China’s obligations under the TRIPS Agreement.
The Panel recommended that China bring the provisions of Copyright Law and Customs Measures that were inconsistent with the TRIPS Agreement in compliance with its international obligations. In response to the ruling, China expressed regret over the ruling and promised to “to promote international exchanges and co-operation on IPR and promote the healthy development of global trade relations.”
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October 9th, 2008 at 08:22am
The U.S. Congress passed legislation granting India access to nuclear technology on October 1. The move comes more than three decades after India tested its first nuclear weapon.
On September 28, the bill passed in the House of Representatives. Shortly afterward, the Senate approved the measure by a vote of 86 to 13. It will now go to President Bush, who says he looks forward “to signing this bill into law and continuing to strengthen the U.S.-India strategic partnership.”
Under the agreement, India will gain access to U.S. nuclear technology, material, and equipment, as well as components for nuclear research. Both countries hope that India will now be better equipped to meet its rapidly growing energy needs. According to President Bush, the legislation also brings India’s nuclear programs under international inspections and strengthens nuclear non-proliferation efforts.
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January 31st, 2007 at 05:12pm
On Wednesday, January 31, the Court of First Instance of the European Communities delivered its judgment in the case Minin v. Commission. The applicant, whose assets were frozen, sought annulment of European legislation implementing the Security Council’s sanctions against Liberia. Since the applicant did not sufficiently support his claim, the action was dismissed. The full text of the judgment is here.
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December 6th, 2006 at 01:55pm
Every year, almost three million long-term migrants legally enter OECD countries. According to a recent OECD report, well-managed immigration flows offer benefits both for host countries and for migrants and their families. The OECD urges host countries to ensure that immigration systems meet local labor market needs, to provide for anti-discrimination legislation and flexible education policies, and increase cooperation between local institutions and employers.
For a press release, see: http://www.oecd.org/document/4/0,2340,en_2649_201185_37784708_1_1_1_1,00.html
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November 17th, 2006 at 02:15pm
In response to the strategic decision to expand the US-Indian partnership, both houses of Congress have been working to pass legislation that will facilitate the export of nuclear materials, equipment, and technology to India. Though the bill is now on the calendar several amendments are still pending.
House Bill H.R. 5682 http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c109:H.R.+5682:
Senate Bill S.3709 http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c109:S.+3709:
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