With the explosion of data, IPRs are under threat. IPRs aim to create artificial scarcity, but the growth of data under IPR protection is vastly inferior to the growth of non-protected (“open”) data. Because of their characteristics, IPRs are not able to tackle the growth of Big Data, and will therefore probably drown in a Read more …
Author Archives: joren
How can IP exchanges work?
Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) are curious beasts. They are, in essence, negative rights: they give the right to block other people from doing something. Unlike normal property rights, they are not positive rights: it’s not because you have a patent on a technology, that you’re actually allowed to use it – that’s not what a Read more …
Hollywood vs Silicon Valley – who will win?
The conflict between Hollywood and Silicon Valley is, at a deeper level, one between Content and Function, which I think Function will win. But there’s more: Content is also struggling, because there is simply too much of it. The combination of a data flood of biblical proportions with exploding possibility of function, will drown any Read more …
The SOPA discussion in a larger context
Technology is breaking down the distinction between Content and Function. This has a profound effect on Business Models based on IP rights. The SOPA discussion is a good example of the fight between Function and Content – which IP right will win? What is Content, what is Function? Content is the stuff you access Read more …
Westartup
Westartup is a community who want to start, join or invest in a new business. It is joined at the hip with the BetaGroup coworking space in Brussels. We assisted Leo Exter, founder of westartup, in understanding how IP rights apply to his platform and community, aimed at sharing and spreading ideas. We also assisted Read more …
Open Innovation and Copyright
Recently gave a talk at the British Library on Open Innovation and Copyright. You can see the presentation here
Addwittz
Addwittz are “information architects”. They design, operate and host websites, and create corporate brandings and designs. They had developed this clever plug-in in an open source web-design evironment. Among other things, we are helping them in finding a structure to bring this plug-in to the market, in a way that allows new revenue, while safeguarding Read more …
MuseScore
MuseScore allows its users to create and share, in an easy and intuitive manner, musical scores (music sheets). It enables music teachers, pupils and music lovers in general to share their passion for music. Lots of IP issues, from the creative commons licenses used to advising to prevent the site to become a place where Read more …
Ghostbloggers
Ghostbloggers is a platform where people can buy or sell unique content for blogs. This presents obvious issues around IP rights in content, the unique character of blogs offered, as well as issues of data protection. We have provided practical advise on how to address IP issues in the business model, which was one of Read more …
Zentrick
Zentrick is a start-up, which offers video streaming services to content providers, but also offers interactive video and advanced analytics services. They offer providers of video content a seamless, high-quality streaming service, ensuring that end-users enjoy constant quality, regardless of the end user device they are using. We help Zentrick with understanding what their IP Read more …