This collection is an inspiration and a delight for those advocates fighting for access to knowledge in the 21st century. The work highlights a number of 21st century challenges - including the obstacles of restrictive licensing; the barriers and obstacles of intellectual property; and the threats posed by international trade agreements. This collection provides a toolbox of policy solutions to deal with such hazards. The work highlights how information and knowledge can be unlocked through open access licensing, progressive intellectual property law reform, and fair trade.' - Matthew Rimmer, Australian Research Council, ANU College of Law and the Australian Centre for Intellectual Property in Agriculture'In a knowledge economy, access to information and knowledge takes on an ever-increasing role. But certain knowledge outputs are protected by exclusive intellectual property rights, which in one way or another restrict access to some information. It is therefore timely to examine these access issues in greater detail. The fact that this volume offers such a detailed analysis is its greatest strength. The in-depth analysis of all these aspects makes this a truly fascinating book!' - Paul Torremans, University of Nottingham, UK 'This is an important book that brings together leading scholars from Europe and the United States to explore the access challenge in intellectual property law. It reframes the debate by focusing on the critical role of timely access to information in innovation-based economies. Well worth the read.' - Michael W. Carroll, American University Washington College of Law, US Massive quantities of information are required to fuel the innovation process in a knowledge-based economy; a requirement that is in tension with intellectual property (IP) laws. Against this backdrop, leading thinkers in the IP arena explore the 'access challenge' of the 21st century, framed as the tension between the interest in the free flow of information and the fragmentation of knowledge resulting from strong IP laws. In some areas this tension seems to resolve in a shift of IP laws in the direction of greater openness, whether due to new business models, improved legal tools or access-friendly interpretations of existing laws. The book's chapters explore the challenges encountered by this 'opening' process from various perspectives, including: - open access to public sector and scientific research data - enhanced use of licensing - reshaping the contours of individual IP laws - inclusion of new stakeholders in the IP debate - challenges to the information flow in the international arena. In identifying some of the core IP-related challenges to the process of adapting to the knowledge needs of the new economy, this book will provide an enlightening read for academics, policymakers and lawyers concerned with IP laws and the flow of knowledge. Contributors: J. Axhamn, D. Beldiman, D.L. Burk, E. Ellyne, C. Geiger, L. Guibault, R. Kampf, M. Marzetti, M. Ricolfi, I. Schneider, M. Senftleben, A. Stazi, P. Yu

This timely collection guides us to rethink the role of intellectual property law in a shared knowledge environment. Covering a wide range of topics - from smartphone wars to fashion design and from synthetic biology to digital content - this book greatly advances our understanding of open and collaborative innovation.' - Peter K. Yu, Drake University Law School, USInnovation, Competition and Collaboration explores intellectual property (IP) in an era of fast-paced innovation, where private contractual arrangements for shared use of IP are seen to enhance competitive advantage. This timely book examines emerging innovation models and offers a forward-thinking, globalized perspective on critical developments in IP law. As innovation processes become increasingly collaborative, new relationships among players in the innovation space emerge. These developments demand new legal structures that allow horizontally integrated, open and shared use of IP. In this book, expert contributors review fundamental issues surrounding the collaborative use of IP and discuss emerging trends. The topics discussed include: the interpretation of FRAND terms in the context of standard essential patents; secondary liability of technology providers; contractual arrangements in trademark law, and the treatment of IP issues in specific emerging industries. Academics and practitioners alike will find this compelling discussion both informative and pragmatic, benefiting from the insight into how and why, in this modern innovation environment, competitive advantage is not premised solely on IP exclusivity. Contributors: D. Beldiman, M.W. Carroll, S. Dusollier, G. Ghidini, A. Kur, T. Minssen, A. Ohly, A. Stazi, T. Vinje, J. De Werra, J.B. Wested

This publication examines the legal aspects of the spare parts market from an IP perspective: specifically whether design protection for spare parts of a complex product extends to the spare part aftermarket, or whether that market should remain open to competition. The stakeholders' equally weighty arguments that must be balanced against are, on the one hand, the property interest in an earned IP right in the design of the part; and on the other, enhanced competition, likely reflected in lower prices. The mounting tension between these two positions is manifest an increased number of lawsuits in both the US and the EU. This book provides a discussion of the legal issues involved in this debate from a global perspective, with special focus on the EU and the US. Part I contextualizes the legal debate by discussing the historical background, the competitive situation and the respective stakeholder positions. Part II examines the relevant legal questions on a comparative basis, evaluating the likelihood of its adoption in the jurisdictions examined. Concluding that adoption is unlikely, Part III proposes a number of possible considerations meant to further compromise. Part IV concludes with a future outlook, specifically in light of the impact of technological development on this market.

It has become the practice to claim copyright protection for virtually every piece of 'writing' or its electronic equivalent, created by knowledge professionals - from business plans for a start-up company to the instruction manual for use of a motorized saw and to specifications for pipeline tenders. This paper posits that the legal doctrine of copyright was never intended, and is not equipped, to regulate the very building block of our society-information. When used to protect utilitarian information products (UIW) en masse, copyright can impede the flow of information necessary for innovation, foster waste in the form of redundant creation and adversely impact competition in the market.