"A comprehensive review of the new Kenya 2001 Copyright Act, which was passed by the Kenyan Parliament, after several rounds of consultations between the government and the different stakeholders and industry players. It came into force in February 2003 and repealed the 1966 Copyright Act. The most
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distinctive new features of the new Copyright Act include the introduction of an anti-piracy security device; the registration and supervision of collective management societies in Kenya; the appointment of public prosecutors and inspectors who deal with copyright cases and help the enforcement of the rights protected under the Act; the provision of enhanced criminal sanctions; and the protection of rights management systems and technological protection measures. The author welcomes the 2001 Copyright Act as a step in the right direction, yet “the success of the new law can only be seen if it is effectively enforced; a good law without the proper enforcement is of no use to those it seeks to protect. Along with the new law, Kenya needs to have strong mechanisms to fight piracy, a well educated population on matters of copyright and related rights, strong and efficient collective management societies, and a functional administrative infrastructure." (Hans M. Zell, Publishing, Books & Reading in Sub-Saharan Africa, 3d ed. 2008, nr. 1797)
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"The recent war in Iraq is a perfect illustration of the growing risks faced by journalists working in conflict zones. It is therefore important to call renewed attention to the fact that attacks against journalists and media equipment are illegal under international humanitarian law, which protects
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civilian persons and objects, as long as they are not making an effective contribution to military action. The media cannot be considered a legitimate target, even if they are being used for propaganda purposes, unless they are being exploited to instigate grave breaches of humanitarian law. Journalists and media personnel also benefit from precautionary measures – not confined to them alone – such as the principle of proportionality and the obligation to give advance warning. There is nonetheless an evident need for the adoption of a new instrument, on the one hand to reaffirm those elements of humanitarian law that apply to journalists and media personnel, and thus to re-establish the authority of certain basic rules that are all too often flouted, and, on the other hand, to improve existing law and adapt it to the requirements of today, for instance the phenomenon of “embedded” journalists. Such is the goal of the “Declaration on the safety of journalists and media personnel in situations involving armed conflict,” drawn up in 2003 by Reporters without Borders." (Abstract)
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"The evidence of the Ghana and Nigeria experiences suggests that prospects of realising the right to information are more propitious if the challenge is civil society led and driven. The successful passage of a right to information act in any one country should also provide the necessary impetus for
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other countries to join the global wave of change towards greater disclosure and transparency." (Conclusion)
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"Un guide introductif utile sur les droits des auteurs (et ceux de l'industrie musicale) et les principaux aspects de la législation sur le droit d'auteur en Afrique. L'auteur fournit une analyse comparative des aspects théoriques et pratiques du sujet, traite de la question de la rémunération e
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t offre une synthèse d'un point de vue africain. Il inclut une analyse de l'annexe VII de l'Accord de Bangui - de l'Organisation africaine de la propriété intellectuelle (OAPI) - dans le contexte des conventions internationales sur le droit d'auteur." (Hans M. Zell, Publishing, Books & Reading in Sub-Saharan Africa, 3d ed. 2008, nr. 1787)
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"The first section provides summary information on 69 UNDP supported projects and initiatives as of 2002/03. These initiatives were identified primarily by desk research from three main sources: (i) direct feedback from the Sub-Regional Resource Facilities (SURFs)2), the COs and Regional Bureaux, (i
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i) scanning of UNDP intranet databases and internal reporting systems especially the data contained in the ROAR3), and (iii) scanning of the internet including CO, SURF and Regional Bureaux websites and general Internet searches [...] The second section provides information on more than 100 international organizations actively working on Access to Information issues. The majority of these organizations work with developing countries to promote freedom of expression and information. They were identified through (i) internet and literature searches (ii) direct feedback from country offices, regional bureaux and SURFs and (iii) referrals from within and outside UNDP." (Page 6)
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"This book is designed to be a practical guide to the use of intellectual property as a "power tool" for economic growth and wealth creation. Its aim is to give the interested non-specialist an understanding of how intellectual property, such as patents, trademarks and copyright have become increasi
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ngly valuable assets that can be used in many creative ways to increase material, social and cultural well-being." (Back cover)
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