The Future of Copyright Law

- a transatlantic perspective, with Estonian, Latvian,

German, and United States viewpoints

Program

Introduction – internationalization of copyright law?

Dr. Christoph Schewe M.E.S., DAAD-visiting Assoc. Prof. at the University of Latvia

The reform debate of copyright law in Estonia

Dr. Aleksei Kelli, Assoc. Prof. at the University of Tartu, Head of the Expert Group on the Codification of IP- Law, Ministry of Justice of Estonia

The reform debate of copyright law in Latvia

Dr. Janis Rozenfelds, Professor at the University of Latvia

The reform debate of copyright law in Germany

Dr. Thomas Hoffmann LL.M., DAAD-Lecturer of law at the University of Tartu

The reform debate in the United States and distinctions from Continental proposals (PPt); Handout

Seth Shelden, Cardozo School of Law, Fulbright Scholar at the University of Latvia

Description/Content

The increasing digitalization of media has facilitated instantaneous copying and distribution of media and other content worldwide, both through legitimate means of distribution as well as through unauthorized file-sharing and piracy. In this context, artists and other rights holders (from disenfranchised artists to large corporations) face new challenges in controlling and protecting their copyrighted works. Meanwhile, consumers and the public at large are increasingly threatened with liability for unauthorized uses, including uses which may unintentionally violate laws.

In many significant respects, copyright law throughout the largest jurisdictions is effectively harmonized by international law. Despite such harmonization, however, there exist significant distinctions in certain key

areas, as intellectual property law is traditionally regarded as subject to national control of sovereign states.

This workshop aims to highlight how legislators in individual countries try to respond to the new challenges of the information age with approaches that reflect both national interests and legal traditions. In particular, the workshop hopes to provide insight into (a) distinctions in certain rules among a few transatlantic nations, (b) debates over reforming certain laws both within those nations and on the international stage, and (c) frameworks for solutions to some of the challenges identified.

Thursday, November 1^st 2012, at 17:00

17.00-19.30 presentations and open discussion 19.30-20.00

University of Latvia, Raiņa bulv. 19, Riga, Room Nr. 1

For more information see: www.hochschulkontor.lv