Michael Geist analyses IIPA Report

Michael Geist analyses the IPA submission to the US government in a BBC column.

"Second, in a classic case of “do what I say, not what I do”, many countries are criticised for copyright laws that bear a striking similarity to US law. For example, Israel is criticised for considering a fair use provision that mirrors the US approach.

The IIPA is unhappy with the attempt to follow the US model, warning that the Israeli public might view it as a “free ticket to copy.” Similarly, the time shifting provisions in New Zealand’s current copyright reform bill (which would permit video recording of television shows) are criticised despite the fact that US law has granted even more liberal copying rights for decades." - Geist

William Patry, Senior Copyright Counsel at Google, adds to the commentary on the IIPA Report. Focusing on the opposition to a proposed Israeli provision on fair use which is based upon similar US provisions.

"The unusual aspect of all this of course, is a U.S. trade organization lobbying the Office of United States Trade Representative to lobby a foreign government not to adopt a critical part of U.S. copyright law." - Patry