Fashion Waste, Trade Mark Protection, and the Circular Economy: Towards a New Public Domain for Sustainable Reuse download

The Handbook of Fashion Law, Oxford University Press, 2025, Oxford, pp: 115–136, ISBN: 9780198938897

Abstract

Traditionally, the debate on trade mark law and the public domain has focused on the strategic use of trade mark law to artificially prolong exclusive rights after the expiry of protection in intellectual property systems with a limited term, and the grant of trade mark rights covering public domain material, such as cultural signs and traditional cultural expressions. While the glamorous world of fashion offers examples of protection term extension and public domain re-appropriation cases, the following analysis focuses on fashion reuse in the circular economy as a phenomenon that can be placed in a public domain context. Considering the urgent need for measures to enhance legal certainty for sustainable fashion reuse in the circular economy, the question arises whether the time has come to discuss a limitation of trade mark rights and a corresponding broadening of the public domain. More concretely, it seems tempting to establish a new public domain by giving second-hand and unsold fashion items the status of freely available resources for sustainable upcycling and reuse in the circular economy—even if these fashion items bear protected third-party brand insignia. Exploring options for the practical implementation of this new public domain space, the analysis will yield the insight that the termination of trade mark rights is beyond reach. Alternatively, however, lawmakers and judges could consider introducing a robust principle of free reuse that shields initiatives leading to the sustainable reuse of trade-marked fashion items effectively against allegations of trade mark infringement.

Fashion, Freedom of expression, Intellectual property, public domain, trade mark

Bibtex

A nightmare to control: Legal and organizational challenges around the procurement of journalistic AI from external technology providers external link

Piasecki, S. & Helberger, N.
The Information Society, vol. 41, iss. : 3, pp: 173-194, 2025

Abstract

Little research has explored the process of procuring AI systems in the media from the perspective of contractual terms and conditions. It’s importance is underscored by the emerging regulatory framework coming from Brussels that embraces private ordering through mechanisms such as negotiations, instructions, and standardization. This article addresses the following research questions: How are journalistic AI procurement processes perceived by professionals? What are the practical and legal obstacles experienced in negotiating procurement conditions? How to improve media organizations’ contractual negotiation power? The study is grounded in 12 semi-structured interviews with members of media organizations (lawyers, technologists, and managers) and an analysis of 16 terms and conditions of companies providing AI systems. Based on its findings, it strives to propose a contractual counter-power for (especially smaller and local) media actors interested in using journalistic AI.

Artificial intelligence, Journalism

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A mid-year review of AI and copyright posts external link

Kluwer Copyright Blog, 2025

Copyright

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Editorial: Interdisciplinary Perspectives on the (Un)fairness of Artificial Intelligence external link

Starke, C., Blanke, T., Helberger, N., Smets, S. & Vreese, C.H. de
Minds and Machines, vol. 35, num: 22, 2025

Artificial intelligence

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CommonsDB feasibility study, part 1 download

Keller, P., McCarthy, D., Posth, S., Quintais, J., Szkalej, K. & Margoni, T.
pp: 47, 2025

Abstract

This is the first part of two parts of a feasibility study for a public registry of public domain and openly licensed works. This registry – called CommonsDB – is currently being developed by a consortium consisting of Open Future, Liccium, the Institute for Information Law, Europeana Foundation, and Wikimedia Sweden as part of a European Commission-funded pilot project running from 1 February 2025 to 31 July 2026.

Bibtex

Copyright, the AI Act and Extraterritoriality download

The Lisbon Council, 2025

Abstract

The Lisbon Council launched Copyright, the AI Act and Extraterritoriality, a timely new policy brief authored by João Pedro Quintais, associate professor, Institute for Information Law, University of Amsterdam. As the European Commission is gearing up for a 2026 review of the directive on copyright in the digital single market and the code of practice for general-purpose artificial intelligence (AI), the publication offers a legally grounded overview of copyright issues across the AI lifecycle – from data training to outputs – and an analysis of how the European AI act interacts with copyright law.

AI Act, Copyright, extraterritoriality

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Annotatie bij Hoge Raad 8 november 2024 (Anne Frank Fonds / Anne Frank Stichting) download

Auteursrecht, iss. : 2, pp: 105-107, 2025

Abstract

Publicatie van wetenschappelijke editie van dagboek van Anne Frank op website met geoblocking-maatregelen voor Nederland. HR stelt prejudiciële vragen aan Hof van Justitie EU. Brengt mogelijkheid om geoblocking door gebruik van VPN- of soortgelijke dienst te omzeilen mee dat sprake is van mededeling aan het publiek in Nederland?

Copyright, Geoblocking

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Annotatie bij Hof van Justitie van de EU 24 oktober 2024 (Kwantum / Vitra) download

Auteursrecht, iss. : 2, pp: 95-97, 2025

Abstract

Auteursrechtelijke bescherming van voorwerpen van toegepaste kunst die in het land van oorsprong niet beschermd zijn door het auteursrecht. De materiële-reciprociteitstoets van art. 2(7) Berner Conventie mag door de Nederlandse rechter niet toegepast omdat het Unierecht en in het bijzonder de Auteursrechtrichtlijn 2001/29/EG niet voorziet in een beperking van de bescherming van werken van toegepaste kunst uit landen buiten de EU.

Copyright

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The Regulation of Disinformation Under the Digital Services Act external link

Media and Communication, vol. 13, 2025

Abstract

This article critically examines the regulation of disinformation under the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA). It begins by analysing how the DSA applies to disinformation, discussing how the DSA facilitates the removal of illegal disinformation, and on the other hand, how it can protect users’ freedom of expression against the removal of certain content classified as disinformation. The article then moves to the DSA’s special risk‐based rules, which apply to Very Large Online Platforms in relation to mitigation of systemic risks relating to disinformation, and are to be enforced by the European Commission. We analyse recent regulatory action by the Commission in tackling disinformation within its DSA competencies, and assess these actions from a fundamental rights perspective, focusing on freedom of expression guaranteed under the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and the European Convention on Human Rights.

disinformation, DSA, Freedom of expression, Online platforms

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The Governance of the European Digital Identity Framework Through the Lens of Institutional Mimesis external link

Weigl, L. & Reysner, M.
Regulation & Governance, 2025

Abstract

The European Commission's decision to expand its 2014 Regulation on electronic identification and trust services toward wallet-based digital identities marked a significant shift in the governance of users' digital identities. The intersection between private digital services, public prerogatives, and individual self-determination raises questions of data governance, notably power conflicts over control and usage. This study investigates the governance of the European Digital Identity Framework using institutional isomorphism to understand how EU policy-making evolves and gains legitimacy by mimicking successful regulatory models like the GDPR. Our analysis shows that the narrowly defined scope of power for supervisory bodies allows greater discretion for Member States, which could make the system vulnerable to abuse. Additionally, the lack of organizational independence among these bodies further complicates governance arrangements.

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