Intellectual Property in the Age of the Environmental Crisis: How Trademarks and Copyright Challenge the Human Right to a Healthy Environment

IIC, vol. 55, pp: 864-900, 2024

Abstract

In the face of the escalating environmental crisis driven by overconsumption, there is a growing recognition of the urgent need for environmental consciousness and a sustainable, circular economy. Practices like repair, refurbishment, and fashion upcycling have emerged as tangible efforts to mitigate the negative effects of this crisis. Perhaps unexpectedly, however, trademark and copyright laws clash with these endeavours, placing obstacles to sustainability goals. This paper contributes to the emerging literature devoted to studying this problem by undertaking the first in-depth analysis of the issue from a human rights law perspective. It specifically investigates the nature, scope, impact on, and consequences for intellectual property protection of the evolving human right to a healthy environment. Following a short introduction, the paper delves into the legal nature of obstacles posed by trademark and copyright protection to environmental sustainability, scrutinizes the human right to a healthy environment with a European emphasis, and proposes strategies for reconciling trademark and copyright protection with this fundamental right. The key findings are summarised at the end.

Intellectual property

Bibtex

Article{nokey, title = {Intellectual Property in the Age of the Environmental Crisis: How Trademarks and Copyright Challenge the Human Right to a Healthy Environment}, author = {Izyumenko, E.}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s40319-024-01478-0}, year = {2024}, date = {2024-05-15}, journal = {IIC}, volume = {55}, pages = {864-900}, abstract = {In the face of the escalating environmental crisis driven by overconsumption, there is a growing recognition of the urgent need for environmental consciousness and a sustainable, circular economy. Practices like repair, refurbishment, and fashion upcycling have emerged as tangible efforts to mitigate the negative effects of this crisis. Perhaps unexpectedly, however, trademark and copyright laws clash with these endeavours, placing obstacles to sustainability goals. This paper contributes to the emerging literature devoted to studying this problem by undertaking the first in-depth analysis of the issue from a human rights law perspective. It specifically investigates the nature, scope, impact on, and consequences for intellectual property protection of the evolving human right to a healthy environment. Following a short introduction, the paper delves into the legal nature of obstacles posed by trademark and copyright protection to environmental sustainability, scrutinizes the human right to a healthy environment with a European emphasis, and proposes strategies for reconciling trademark and copyright protection with this fundamental right. The key findings are summarised at the end.}, keywords = {Intellectual property}, }

Reciprociteit bij bescherming vormgeving na RAAP: Annotatie bij Hoge Raad 31 maart 2023 (Kwantum / Vitra) download

Berichten Industriële Eigendom, iss. : 4, num: 10, pp: 221-223, 2023

Intellectual property, reciprociteit, vormgeving

Bibtex

Case note{nokey, title = {Reciprociteit bij bescherming vormgeving na RAAP: Annotatie bij Hoge Raad 31 maart 2023 (Kwantum / Vitra)}, author = {van Eechoud, M.}, url = {https://www.ivir.nl/publications/reciprociteit-bij-bescherming-vormgeving-na-raap-annotatie-bij-hoge-raad-31-maart-2023-kwantum-vitra/annotatie_bie_2023_10/}, year = {2023}, date = {2023-10-31}, journal = {Berichten Industriële Eigendom}, issue = {4}, number = {10}, keywords = {Intellectual property, reciprociteit, vormgeving}, }

Freedom of Expression as a Rationale for IP Protection

GRUR International, vol. 72, iss. : 9, pp: 840-852, 2023

Abstract

This article revisits the discussion on the rationales for intellectual property (IP) protection by addressing a particular justificatory theory for IP that had come to the forefront of legal discussions in recent years – the theory based on freedom of expression and information. This modern vision of IP focuses on the communicative nature of IP subject-matter and of IP as a legal regime. Firstly, this article reviews the Kantian theory of copyright that lies at the origins of any modern discussions on the communicative nature of IP regulation with the aim of answering whether IP should be more properly conceived as the system for regulating communication. It then looks at the readings of this theory by contemporary copyright scholars and considers applicability of the communicative theory to other areas of IP such as trademarks and patents. The analysis then proceeds towards looking at the freedom of expression dimension of the ‘classic’ IP theories. Reflecting on this matter is important as the rationales for IP protection influence virtually all spheres of IP’s legal regulation, including – first and foremost – the reach of IP holders’ entitlements.

Freedom of expression, Intellectual property

Bibtex

Article{nokey, title = {Freedom of Expression as a Rationale for IP Protection}, author = {Izyumenko, E.}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1093/grurint/ikad071}, year = {2023}, date = {2023-07-25}, journal = {GRUR International}, volume = {72}, issue = {9}, pages = {840-852}, abstract = {This article revisits the discussion on the rationales for intellectual property (IP) protection by addressing a particular justificatory theory for IP that had come to the forefront of legal discussions in recent years – the theory based on freedom of expression and information. This modern vision of IP focuses on the communicative nature of IP subject-matter and of IP as a legal regime. Firstly, this article reviews the Kantian theory of copyright that lies at the origins of any modern discussions on the communicative nature of IP regulation with the aim of answering whether IP should be more properly conceived as the system for regulating communication. It then looks at the readings of this theory by contemporary copyright scholars and considers applicability of the communicative theory to other areas of IP such as trademarks and patents. The analysis then proceeds towards looking at the freedom of expression dimension of the ‘classic’ IP theories. Reflecting on this matter is important as the rationales for IP protection influence virtually all spheres of IP’s legal regulation, including – first and foremost – the reach of IP holders’ entitlements.}, keywords = {Freedom of expression, Intellectual property}, }

Territoriality Roundtables (combined report) download

Abstract

This report summarizes the outcome of two roundtables held with expert legal scholars on the need for a unified European copyright. Issues discussed include various models for a unitary copyright title and fundamental rights aspects. The Roundtables are part of a strand of the Recreating Europe project that queries how the territorial nature of copyright and related rights can hinder the realisation of the digital single market. While for e.g., trademarks and designs the EU has legislated community wide rights that extend across borders of individual Member States, copyright and related rights remain national at heart. Authors, performers, phonogram producers, database producers and other related rights owners all acquire bundles of national rights in their respective (intellectual) productions. Despite far-reaching harmonization of the subject-matter, scope and duration of national rights, these rights remain restricted in their existence and exploitation to the geographic boundaries of the individual Member States under whose laws they arise, i.e., they are territorial.

Copyright, Digital Single Market, EU law, Intellectual property, unitary title

Bibtex

Report{nokey, title = {Territoriality Roundtables (combined report)}, author = {van Eechoud, M.}, url = {https://www.ivir.nl/publications/territoriality-roundtables-combined-report/territoriality-roundtables-reportfinal870626_d4_4/}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7564660}, year = {2022}, date = {2022-12-14}, abstract = {This report summarizes the outcome of two roundtables held with expert legal scholars on the need for a unified European copyright. Issues discussed include various models for a unitary copyright title and fundamental rights aspects. The Roundtables are part of a strand of the Recreating Europe project that queries how the territorial nature of copyright and related rights can hinder the realisation of the digital single market. While for e.g., trademarks and designs the EU has legislated community wide rights that extend across borders of individual Member States, copyright and related rights remain national at heart. Authors, performers, phonogram producers, database producers and other related rights owners all acquire bundles of national rights in their respective (intellectual) productions. Despite far-reaching harmonization of the subject-matter, scope and duration of national rights, these rights remain restricted in their existence and exploitation to the geographic boundaries of the individual Member States under whose laws they arise, i.e., they are territorial.}, keywords = {Copyright, Digital Single Market, EU law, Intellectual property, unitary title}, }

Remuneration rights and national treatment

Improving Intellectual Property: A Global Project, S. Frankel, M. Chon, G. Dinwoodie, B. Lauriat, J. Schovsbo (ed.), Edward Elgar Publishing, 2023, pp: 341-352

global policy goals, Intellectual property, international agreements, shifting boundaries

Bibtex

Chapter{nokey, title = {Remuneration rights and national treatment}, author = {Hugenholtz, P.}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.4337/9781035310869.00050}, year = {2023}, date = {2023-03-28}, keywords = {global policy goals, Intellectual property, international agreements, shifting boundaries}, }

FAIR, FRAND and open – The institutionalization of research data sharing under the EU data strategy

Improving Intellectual Property: A Global Project, S. Frankel, M. Chon, G. Dinwoodie, B. Lauriat, J. Schovsbo (ed.), Edward Elgar Publishing, 2023, pp: 319-329

global policy goals, Intellectual property, international agreements, shifting boundaries

Bibtex

Chapter{nokey, title = {FAIR, FRAND and open – The institutionalization of research data sharing under the EU data strategy}, author = {van Eechoud, M.}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.4337/9781035310869.00047}, year = {2023}, date = {2023-03-28}, keywords = {global policy goals, Intellectual property, international agreements, shifting boundaries}, }

Expressive genericity revisited: What EU policymakers can learn from Rochelle Dreyfuss

Improving Intellectual Property: A Global Project, S. Frankel, M. Chon, G. Dinwoodie, B. Lauriat, J. Schovsbo (ed.), Edward Elgar Publishing, 2023, pp: 246-257, ISBN: 9781035310852

global policy goals, Intellectual property, international agreements, shifting boundaries

Bibtex

Chapter{nokey, title = {Expressive genericity revisited: What EU policymakers can learn from Rochelle Dreyfuss}, author = {Senftleben, M.}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.4337/9781035310869.00039}, year = {2023}, date = {2023-03-28}, keywords = {global policy goals, Intellectual property, international agreements, shifting boundaries}, }

Protection of Intellectual Property Rights per Protocol No. 1 of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms

GRUR International, vol. 72, iss. : 3, pp: 323-324, 2023

Human rights, Intellectual property

Bibtex

Case note{nokey, title = {Protection of Intellectual Property Rights per Protocol No. 1 of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms}, author = {Izyumenko, E.}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1093/grurint/ikac144}, year = {2023}, date = {2023-02-02}, journal = {GRUR International}, volume = {72}, issue = {3}, pages = {323-324}, keywords = {Human rights, Intellectual property}, }

AI Music Outputs: Challenges to the Copyright Legal Framework download

2022

Abstract

This report examines the application of EU copyright and related rights law to outputs generated by or with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) systems, tools or techniques (AI outputs), with a focus on outputs in the musical domain. The Report examines the question: How can and should EU copyright and related rights law protect AI musical outputs? The interdisciplinary (legal and empirical) research involves: (i) analyzing of the protection of AI outputs under EU copyright and related rights law; (ii) examining the attribution of authorship and ownership to (natural and legal) persons involved in the creation or production of AI outputs; (iii) proposing interpretative guidelines and policy recommendations on increasing legal certainty regarding the protection, authorship, and ownership of copyright and related rights over AI outputs, especially music outputs.

Artificial intelligence, computer-generated works, Copyright, EU, Intellectual property, music, originality, related rights

Bibtex

Report{nokey, title = {AI Music Outputs: Challenges to the Copyright Legal Framework}, author = {Bulayenko, O. and Quintais, J. and Gervais, D.J. and Poort, J.}, url = {https://www.ivir.nl/publications/ai-music-outputs-challenges-to-the-copyright-legal-framework/870626_d3-5-final-report-on-the-impact-of-ia-authorship_formatted-1/}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6405796}, year = {2022}, date = {2022-04-01}, abstract = {This report examines the application of EU copyright and related rights law to outputs generated by or with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) systems, tools or techniques (AI outputs), with a focus on outputs in the musical domain. The Report examines the question: How can and should EU copyright and related rights law protect AI musical outputs? The interdisciplinary (legal and empirical) research involves: (i) analyzing of the protection of AI outputs under EU copyright and related rights law; (ii) examining the attribution of authorship and ownership to (natural and legal) persons involved in the creation or production of AI outputs; (iii) proposing interpretative guidelines and policy recommendations on increasing legal certainty regarding the protection, authorship, and ownership of copyright and related rights over AI outputs, especially music outputs.}, keywords = {Artificial intelligence, computer-generated works, Copyright, EU, Intellectual property, music, originality, related rights}, }