the Regulatory community of South Africa

Clothing producers sound warning

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 13:53:00 +0200

In a move that should ease anxieties for textile and clothing manufacturers in developing countries exporting to the US, the US House of Representatives has agreed to monitor textile and apparel imports from China when quotas expire at the end of this year. Read full story... | Send to a friend

The rocky legal landscape of virtual worlds, Part 3: Copyrights

Fri, 28 Nov 2008 11:47:00 +0200

Part 1 of this three-part series on intellectual property law in virtual worlds discusses trademark rights as applied to virtual goods. Part 2 addresses patent rights, including how patent rights can be obtained based on actions performed in virtual worlds, and whether patent rights are enforceable against virtual infringers. Part 3 delves into copyrights: how they can be obtained based on actions performed in virtual worlds, and how to protect your rights when your copyrights are infringed in virtual environments. Read full story... | Send to a friend

The rocky legal landscape of virtual worlds, Part 2: Patents

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 06:10:00 +0200

Part 1 of this three-part series on intellectual property law in virtual worlds discusses trademark rights as applied to virtual goods. Part 2 addresses patent rights, including how patent rights can be obtained based on actions performed in virtual worlds, and whether patent rights are enforceable against virtual infringers. Part 3 will delve into copyright issues. Read full story... | Send to a friend

Social networking Rule No. 1: Don't be stupid

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 09:43:00 +0200

It's been said before, but recent incidents suggest it bears repeating: The profiles that online social network users maintain can -- and often do -- have ways of coming around and biting them in real life when too much info is shared. Personal details that may seem humorous to the person posting them might appear careless -- or offensive -- to someone else, and it can be a disaster when that person has power over your job. Read full story... | Send to a friend

Aligning guidelines with ASA's new code on marketing to children

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 08:20:00 +0200

Widespread recognition of the impressionability of children up to the age of 12 years has led to recent changes to the Advertising Standards Authority's code on food and beverage advertising to children. Read full story... | Send to a friend

Software pirates bust in Durban

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 08:25:00 +0200

Two Durban-based computer outlets, Computer and Electronic Services in Smith Street and World Wide Web in the Bluff, have been raided by police for allegedly selling PCs pre-loaded with illegal software. Read full story... | Send to a friend

Samsung slapped with pair of patent suits

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 06:08:00 +0200

Samsung Electronics was hit with two separate sets of lawsuits as Eastman Kodak and Spansion both accused it of infringing on their patented technology. Read full story... | Send to a friend

Judge rejects dairy groups' appeal

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 11:17:00 +0200

The Competition Appeal Court yesterday dismissed a bid by five of the largest milk processors to have a case of price-fixing against them thrown out. Read full story... | Send to a friend

Guilty LCD makers to fork over hefty fines for price-fixing

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 11:13:00 +0200

Three Asian electronics firms have agreed to plead guilty and pay US$585 million in fines for conspiring to drive up the prices of LCD screens used in computers, TVs, cellphones and other electronic devices. Read full story... | Send to a friend

The rocky legal landscape of virtual worlds, Part 1: Trademarks

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 12:23:00 +0200

Virtual worlds provide not only a new universe in which brave explorers stake their claims, but also a new legal landscape in which the colonists are often at odds with the natives from the "old world." How do real-world laws apply? How do traditional concepts of intellectual property - patents, copyrights, and trademarks - apply in a virtual world? Can virtual worlds contract around intellectual property rights by forcing users to license their intellectual property, or forego such claims altogether? Read full story... | Send to a friend