IP Osgoode is an independent voice that explores legal governance issues at the intersection of intellectual property (IP) and technology. The program’s researchers, collaborators, and students actively engage in some of the most important and cutting-edge IP law and technology related research and policy discussions of today.
Commentary and analysis on the latest developments in intellectual property, technology and privacy, featuring curated contributions from students, scholars, and experts within the Osgoode community.
In response to a request from the Vancouver Organizing Committee (VANOC) for additional trademark legislation related specifically to the Olympic and Paralympic 2010 Winter Games, the Canadian government proposed Bill C-47, The Olympic and Paralympic Marks Act, which received Royal Assent on June 22, 2007 and is now awaiting its coming into force by the […]
Second Life, as it is aptly named, is a virtual world. Through online personas, known as avatars, users of Second Life interact with each other as well as with the virtual items that they create. Users reap rewards for their creative efforts by retaining and exploiting intellectual property (`IP’) rights in their creations; the result […]
Vonage has been the target of substantial patent infringement litigation in recent months. One of their ongoing disputes has been with Verizon, a competitor in the internet phone business. Recently, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit released its decision in Vonage’s appeal. At first glance, it may appear Vonage was the more […]
Paris Hilton has filed a federal lawsuit over a U.S. $2.49 Hallmark greeting card that uses a photograph of the heiress and her trademarked phrase "That's Hot." Ms. Hilton is seeking at least U.S. $500,000 in actual damages and a permanent injunction barring Hallmark from further exploitation of her name and likeness. Although this case […]
Thailand is at war, with battles taking place on several fronts. Over 600,000 people in Thailand are infected with HIV and the government is fighting the epidemic by administering HIV treatment and medication through its universal healthcare system. But HIV drugs are costly. In order to provide its people with the necessary medication, Thailand has […]
The first thing that strikes me about this article is that the term “patent troll” carries many different meanings. The definition of patent troll suggested in the article “Rise of the Patent Trolls” by Joe Beyers[1] is “a company or business function whose primary business activity is to acquire patents for the purpose of offensively […]
Editor in Chief: Prof. Carys Craig (ccraig@osgoode.yorku.ca)
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