EU-DIGEST

How three Swedish geeks became Hollywood's Number One enemy - by Bobbie Johnson

Operating under the sign of a Jolly Roger, The Pirate Bay website hopes to evoke a buccaneer spirit: swashbuckling swordsmen, or perhaps the pirate radio stations of the 1960s. But as the internet's number one destination for illegal downloads, it has raised the ­hackles of the entertainment industry and elevated its founders to the top of Hollywood's most wanted list. With more than two million visitors every day, The Pirate Bay has become one of the sharpest thorns in the side of the media business. Its controversial success has caused havoc in the music, TV and film industries.

Current top downloads include The Bourne Ultimatum, Die Hard 4.0 and Knocked Up all showing in cinemas, but available to watch on a computer screen for those willing to take the risk.

Labels: Counterfeiting, EU, Hollywood, Sweden

Combating IP Piracy And Counterfeiting In The European Union - by Christian Falk

Piracy and counterfeiting by entities operating in non-EU member states is causing considerable damage to the intellectual property of companies operating in the EU. Manufacturers of branded goods must therefore do everything in their power to protect themselves. One option worth considering is coordinated confiscation of infringing goods throughout the EU – including confiscation at trade fairs.

Labels: Counterfeiting, EU, IP Piracy