Deutscher Bundestag über Softwarepatente

Ifross.org, hier. 

Revendre des fichiers musicaux de “seconde main” par l’entremise de ReDigi: licite ou pas?

A. Strowel, ici.

What Role Should Antitrust Play in Regulating the Activities of Patent Assertion Entities?

J. Wright, here. 

YouTube Again Beats Viacom's Massive Copyright Infringement Lawsuit

Hollywoodreporter.com, here. 

FTC Chair Stuns Advertisers regarding Do Not Track

Adweek.com, here. 

Bruno Lasserre on Competition Policy Attitudes in France

My quick take on the very interesting speech given today in Trento by the Chairman of the French Competition Authority.

-         Sort of schizophrenia between consumers (pro) and citizens (more skeptical) towards competition policy.

-         The glorious days of competition policy in France go back to at least 1791, when guilds (corporations) were suppressed by initiative of the revolutionaries.

-         Before WWII, the attitude in France was generally very positive, at a time in which, by contrast, Germany was much more in favor of cartelizing the economy.

-          After WWII: public intervention into the economy much welcomed by French citizens, competition policy experienced mostly as an external imposition.

-          Leftist reason to support competition during last political election: fight against privilege by birth; “equality of chances” (égalité) still very popular.

-         Governments in general less procompetition than members of Parliament because of economic pressures by big players.

-         French civil servants not believing in competition: 77%; French judges: even more (figure not disclosed).

-          Going ahead,  dramatically important in order to convince citizens of the benefits of competition policy: private/class actions!

-         Draft bill on class actions in France: too narrow.

- Average loss per mobile phone user due to 2005 telecoms’ cartel: 70 Euro per year (cartel’s duration: 2 ½ y.)