<br><br><div class="gmail_quote">---------- Forwarded message ----------<br>From: <b class="gmail_sendername">at</b> <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:at@kein.org">at@kein.org</a>></span><br>Date: Wed, Mar 30, 2011 at 8:36 PM<br>
Subject: [fcf_discussion] FFII submission of the Enforcement Directive Consultation<br>To: <a href="mailto:fcforum_discussion@list.fcforum.net">fcforum_discussion@list.fcforum.net</a><br><br><br>Startup companies and the IP playing field<br>
March 30, 2011<br>
By Ante<br>
<br>
<a href="http://acta.ffii.org/wordpress/?p=587" target="_blank">http://acta.ffii.org/wordpress/?p=587</a><br>
<br>
FFII response to the Consultation on the Commission Report on the<br>
enforcement of intellectual property rights<br>
<br>
(Also available as pdf)<br>
<br>
March 2011<br>
<br>
Summary<br>
<br>
We would like to thank the European Commission for this opportunity to<br>
provide feedback on the Report.<br>
<br>
To stimulate startup companies, the EU legal situation should minimize<br>
market entrance risks for innovators. Startup companies are often<br>
confronted with patent minefields. Even a mere allegation of<br>
infringement may easily lead to market exclusion. Startup companies<br>
often do not have enough resources to litigate. Established players in<br>
late stages of their own market life cycle may abuse the patent system<br>
to stifle entrants and emerging competitors, patent trolls drain market<br>
entrants in a phase where they want to grow.<br>
<br>
Care has to be taken that provisional injunctions do not lower the<br>
burden of proof. Damages beyond the actual prejudice should be avoided<br>
as they have a disproportional negative effect on startup companies,<br>
which do not have deep pockets.<br>
<br>
The Commission should offer safeguards to prevent enforcement abuse,<br>
strengthen legal definitions and clarify the law. EU legislation needs<br>
measures to ensure a fair balance between startups and established<br>
companies. EU legislation needs dissuasive measures against abuse by<br>
patent trolls.<br>
<br>
Risk reduction for startups is key to improve investment conditions. The<br>
actual needs of innovators should be in the center.<br>
<br>
The European system of fixed copyright flexibilities is not flexible<br>
enough in a rapidly changing world. The EU should �introduce a fair use<br>
system. Many existing flexibilities should be made mandatory. A reverse<br>
Berne�s Three-Step Test could provide a solution for many problems in<br>
the copyright field.<br>
<br>
The Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement may cause a fait accompli. In<br>
order to prevent a fait accompli, the FFII supports withholding consent<br>
on ACTA.<br>
<br>
more:<br>
<a href="http://acta.ffii.org/wordpress/?p=587" target="_blank">http://acta.ffii.org/wordpress/?p=587</a><br>
<br>
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