“Copyright Online” was One of the Topics Discussed at the Georgian Internet Governance 8th Forum
November 24, 2022
Representatives of the public, private and non-governmental sectors gathered at the annual Forum “Georgian Internet Governance” to discuss the challenges existing on the Internet. The event, held in the format of public consultations and dialogue, was organized by the Small and Medium Telecom Operators Association of Georgia (TOA). The agenda included the topic of protection of copyright on the Internet. Ms. Manana Pruidze, Deputy Chairperson of Sakpatenti, was invited to participate in the discussion. The four-day Forum took place at the Technopark. It was hosted by the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, the National Communications Commission of Georgia and the Internet Society of Georgia (ISOC-Georgia).
The panel “Copyright Online”, held during the Forum, took place with the participation of representatives of Sakpatenti, the National Communications Commission of Georgia, the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Economic Governance and Economic Security Programs. At the panel, challenges related to online piracy and dangers arising from it were considered and discussed. The conversation touched upon the current mechanisms of combatting piracy. It was noted that online piracy causes special problems for creative industries, which is one of the fastest growing sectors in our country and in the world, and it is necessary to introduce mechanisms to ensure effective protection and enforcement of rights for owners of rights.
Ms. Manana Pruidze, Deputy Chairperson of Sakpatenti, noted at the Forum: “Sakpatenti cooperates with the USAID Economic Governance and Economic Security Programs and with their support implements a number of initiatives and amendments to improve the policy framework against online piracy and promote protection of intellectual property rights on the Internet. Sakpatenti plans to introduce a new, the so-called “Notice-and-Takedown” mechanism of intellectual property rights enforcement, the draft of which was prepared in cooperation with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO). This mechanism is an effective means of enforcement of rights for owners of copyright and related rights, which in its turn will facilitate creation and development of platforms with legal content and improvement of business enabling environment in this regard.”
The Georgian Internet Governance Forum is held annually, since 2015. The event facilitates dialogue between stakeholders on all urgent issues, raising awareness, increasing involvement and its main objective is protection of human rights on the Internet. The institutional partner of the Forum is the Council of Europe. It is supported by the Internet Society (ISOC), the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) and the RIPE Network Coordination Centre (RIPE NCC).