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LAW SOCIETY OF SOUTH AFRICA LAW SOCIETY OF SOUTH AFRICA CLE INTERACTIVE SATELLITE SEMINARCLE INTERACTIVE SATELLITE SEMINAR
THE NEW E-WORLD OF THE NEW E-WORLD OF BUSINESS BUSINESS
IN SOUTH AFRICA IN SOUTH AFRICA 6 November, 20026 November, 2002
Ryk MeiringIT & eCommerce Law Dept
Spoor & Fisher Attorneys
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Topics for Discussion:• Importance of IP in Practice
• ECATA Take-Down Procedure• .za Domain Name Space
• Protection of Domain Names• ITLF
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Importance of IP in Practice:• Core Asset• Development Strategy• IP Management Policy• Rights Management
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Nature of Intellectual Property Rights:• Monopoly Right• Commercial Exploitation• Disclosure to Public• Public Domain
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Nature of Internet:• Digital Content• Perfect Reproduction• Cost Of Distribution
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Result:• Interests Friction
• Constant Litigation• Restrictive Legislation
• Lessig’s Views
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Protection of IPR in Practice:• Contract• Legislation (Intellectual Property)• Technology
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Regulation by Contract:• Result Desired• Balancing of Interests• Appropriate to Context
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Regulation by Legislation:• Patent• Designs• Copyright • Trademark• (Domain Names?)
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Regulation by Technology:• Access Regulation• Distribution Regulation
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Case Study:
Take-Down Notices ito ECATA s77:• Chapter XI: SP Liability Limited• ISPA Code of Conduct:
• www.ispa.org.za/code
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s77 Dual Objective:• Allow pendente lite relief to IPR
Owners suffering Infringement• Protect ISP’s from Damages
Claims iro Wrongful Take-down
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ECATA s77:• 1. Notification must be in writing,
addressed by the complainant to service provider, must include—
• (a) complainant name and address;
• (b) complainant’s written or electronic signature;
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ECATA s77 (cont.):• (c) identification of right infringed;• (d) identification of material/
activity subject to unlawful activity;
• (e) remedial action to be taken;
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ECATA s77 (cont.):• (f) telephonic & electronic contact
details of complainant;• (g) statement that complainant is
acting in good faith; and• (h) statement by complainant that
information in notification is true and correct.
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ECATA s77 (cont.):• 2. Intentional material mis-
representation in notification = liable for damages for wrongful take-down.
• 3. No service provider liable for wrongful take-down in response to a notification.
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s77 Achieves:• Temporary Withdrawal of • Infringing Material/Action• from Public Domain
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s77 In Practice:• Action implemented by ISP• Infringer can Re-Locate
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.za Domain Name Space• Regulation of Namespace• Contentious Legislation• Nature of Concern
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Chapter 10 Contents: 1. Establishment of Authority2. Governance of Staffing3. Functions of Authority4. Finances and Reporting5. Regulations6. ADR
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Case Study:
Protection of Domain Names:• gTLD
• Eg: <.com>; <.pro>• ccTLD
• Eg: <.co.za>; <.law.za>
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Protection Mechanisms:• ADR:
• Eg: ICANN UDRP• Anti-CyberSquatting Legislation
• Eg: USA AntiCyberSquatting Consumer Protection Act
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Protection Mechanisms: SA Position• ADR:
• ECATA s69 • Legislation?
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SA ECATA s69 ADR:1. The Minister to make
regulations for ADR iro domain name space.
2. Due regard to international precedent.
3. Regulations—(a) types of disputes;
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SA ECATA s69 ADR:3. Regulations (cont.)—(b) Authority’s role in ADR;(c) adjudicators appointment;(d) procedure and rules;(e) unlawful actions;(f) prevent unlawful actions;
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3. Regulations (cont.)—
(g) manner, costs of and time;
(h) adjudications implementation;
(i) limitation of liability; and
(j) enforcement and publication.
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.za Domain Name Authority :• Govt. invites consultation• PPC on Communications
listening• Minister appoints 5-member
panel
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ITLF:• Informal group of Lawyers• Technology Interest/Practice• Regular meetings in Gauteng• Email List
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A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know
they shall never sit in.
-Greek Proverb
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Ryk MeiringIT Law Dept.
Spoor & Fisher, Pretoria
Tel: 012 673 1127Cell: 082 77 77 870
Fax: 012 673 1100eMail: [email protected]
www.spoor.com