[WSIS CS-Plenary] IPJ Submission to IGF on A2K, IPR & Free Expression

[Robin Gross]

IP Justice Submission to the United Nations Internet Governance Forum
2 August 2006

Available at:
http://www.ipjustice.org/WSIS/2august2006.shtml
http://www.ipjustice.org/WSIS/IPJustice_IGF_Submission_2August2006.pdf
http://www.intgovforum.org/Substantive_1st_IGF/IPJustice_IGF_Submission_2August2006.doc


"Realizing the Internet’s Promise of Universal Access to Knowledge and 
Development"

A Case for Balance in Intellectual Property Rights Policies that Address 
Online Behavior:
Principles to Preserve an Open and Free Internet


Summary:

Internet’s open and free nature are key to accessing knowledge and 
development

Internet Governance Policies and Intellectual Property Rights

IP Justice Recommendations for an Internet Governance Forum Discussion 
to Promote the Internet as a Tool for Access to Knowledge and Development:

1. Preserve Openness of Internet and Free Flow of Information:
   Build Freedom of Expression Values into Laws & Architectures
Critical Online Speech Censored by Copyright and Trademark
“Digital Locks” Control Flow of Information and Threaten Interoperability
Preserve Interoperability with Open and Free Technical Standards
Governments Adopt Open Document Formats
Encourage Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) Development

2. Grow the Online Information Commons:
   Recognize Internet as Valuable Tool for Access to Knowledge
Protect and Value Public Domain
Database Rights Restrict Free Flow of Information on Internet
Provide Online Access to Publicly Funded Research
Recognize Social Value of Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Software

3. Build Respect for Civil Liberties into IPR Laws and Procedures 
   Addressing Online Behavior
ICANN’s Whois Policy Must Conform with Privacy Laws
US DMCA “Notice and Take-Down” Provisions Should Comply with Due Process

Conclusion: IGF Should Address Relationship Between Intellectual 
Property Rights, Free Expression, and Access to Knowledge