continuing legal education committed to lifelong learning law society of south africa cle...

CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATIONcommitted to lifelong learning

LAW SOCIETY OF SOUTH AFRICA LAW SOCIETY OF SOUTH AFRICA CLE INTERACTIVE SATELLITE SEMINARCLE INTERACTIVE SATELLITE SEMINAR

THE NEW E-WORLD OF THE NEW E-WORLD OF BUSINESS BUSINESS

IN SOUTH AFRICA IN SOUTH AFRICA 6 November, 20026 November, 2002

Ryk MeiringIT & eCommerce Law Dept

Spoor & Fisher Attorneys

6 November 2002 © 2002 Spoor & Fisher 2


Topics for Discussion:• Importance of IP in Practice

• ECATA Take-Down Procedure• .za Domain Name Space

• Protection of Domain Names• ITLF



Importance of IP in Practice:• Core Asset• Development Strategy• IP Management Policy• Rights Management



Nature of Intellectual Property Rights:• Monopoly Right• Commercial Exploitation• Disclosure to Public• Public Domain



Nature of Internet:• Digital Content• Perfect Reproduction• Cost Of Distribution



Result:• Interests Friction

• Constant Litigation• Restrictive Legislation

• Lessig’s Views



Protection of IPR in Practice:• Contract• Legislation (Intellectual Property)• Technology



Regulation by Contract:• Result Desired• Balancing of Interests• Appropriate to Context



Regulation by Legislation:• Patent• Designs• Copyright • Trademark• (Domain Names?)



Regulation by Technology:• Access Regulation• Distribution Regulation



Case Study:

Take-Down Notices ito ECATA s77:• Chapter XI: SP Liability Limited• ISPA Code of Conduct:

• www.ispa.org.za/code



s77 Dual Objective:• Allow pendente lite relief to IPR

Owners suffering Infringement• Protect ISP’s from Damages

Claims iro Wrongful Take-down



ECATA s77:• 1. Notification must be in writing,

addressed by the complainant to service provider, must include—

• (a) complainant name and address;

• (b) complainant’s written or electronic signature;



ECATA s77 (cont.):• (c) identification of right infringed;• (d) identification of material/

activity subject to unlawful activity;

• (e) remedial action to be taken;



ECATA s77 (cont.):• (f) telephonic & electronic contact

details of complainant;• (g) statement that complainant is

acting in good faith; and• (h) statement by complainant that

information in notification is true and correct.



ECATA s77 (cont.):• 2. Intentional material mis-

representation in notification = liable for damages for wrongful take-down.

• 3. No service provider liable for wrongful take-down in response to a notification.



s77 Achieves:• Temporary Withdrawal of • Infringing Material/Action• from Public Domain



s77 In Practice:• Action implemented by ISP• Infringer can Re-Locate



.za Domain Name Space• Regulation of Namespace• Contentious Legislation• Nature of Concern



Chapter 10 Contents: 1. Establishment of Authority2. Governance of Staffing3. Functions of Authority4. Finances and Reporting5. Regulations6. ADR



Case Study:

Protection of Domain Names:• gTLD

• Eg: <.com>; <.pro>• ccTLD

• Eg: <.co.za>; <.law.za>



Protection Mechanisms:• ADR:

• Eg: ICANN UDRP• Anti-CyberSquatting Legislation

• Eg: USA AntiCyberSquatting Consumer Protection Act



Protection Mechanisms: SA Position• ADR:

• ECATA s69 • Legislation?



SA ECATA s69 ADR:1. The Minister to make

regulations for ADR iro domain name space.

2. Due regard to international precedent.

3. Regulations—(a) types of disputes;



SA ECATA s69 ADR:3. Regulations (cont.)—(b) Authority’s role in ADR;(c) adjudicators appointment;(d) procedure and rules;(e) unlawful actions;(f) prevent unlawful actions;



3. Regulations (cont.)—

(g) manner, costs of and time;

(h) adjudications implementation;

(i) limitation of liability; and

(j) enforcement and publication.



.za Domain Name Authority :• Govt. invites consultation• PPC on Communications

listening• Minister appoints 5-member

panel



ITLF:• Informal group of Lawyers• Technology Interest/Practice• Regular meetings in Gauteng• Email List



A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know

they shall never sit in.

-Greek Proverb


Ryk MeiringIT Law Dept.

Spoor & Fisher, Pretoria

Tel: 012 673 1127Cell: 082 77 77 870

Fax: 012 673 1100eMail: [email protected]

www.spoor.com

continuing legal education committed to lifelong learning law society of south africa cle...

Documents

continuing legal education

context slide

electronic signature

public public domain

practice ecata

notices ito ecata s77

importance of ip

s77 dual objective