In an earlier blog, we outlined that the UK confirmed its intention to ratify the International Agreement on a Unified Patent Court. In December 2016, the UK government proceeded to sign the Protocol on Privileges and Immunities of the Unified Patent Court. The Protocol provides EU privileges and immunities to the judges of the Unified Patent Court necessary for the exercise of its functions. The Protocol is required in the individual countries hosting divisions of the court, one of which is in London. This positive step would suggest that the UK is moving closer towards ratification.
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Cyber risk – the legal landscape
Recent high profile security incidents illustrate that no institution or business is immune from cyber attack. A cyber attack on the White House in 2014 resulted in a partial shutdown of its email system. In a reported attempt to extort money from the ECB, email addresses and other user contact information were stolen in 2014. Confidential movie scripts and emails about staff and movie stars were released as part of the 2014 Sony hack. Already this year, the Carphone Warehouse security breach in early August and the more recent Ashley Madison hack have received extensive media coverage.
Coder Dojo encourages coding at Web Summit Schools Event
Last night saw the Dublin Web Summit host a special "Web Summit Schools" evening. Over 5,000 students from all over the country attended a lively and interactive evening hosted by Marcus Segal, the former COO of Zynga Games.
Coder Dojo had a huge presence at the event with a good majority of students confirming that they participated in different coding clubs all around the country. Coder Dojo is a global movement of free coding clubs for young people with a presence in 48 countries which was co-founded by entrepreneur James Whelton. James was at the event interviewing child prodigy Adora Svitak. Adora, an inspiring …
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Working party publishes Opinion on Data Anonymisation Techniques
The EU’s Article 29 Working Party has adopted an Opinion on Anonymisation Techniques (Opinion 05/2014). The Opinion analyses the effectiveness and limits of existing anonymisation techniques, and provides recommendations for use of these techniques in light of the residual risk of identification inherent in each of them.Continue Reading Working party publishes Opinion on Data Anonymisation Techniques
CJEU rules that the Data Retention Directive is invalid
The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has ruled that the Data Retention Directive 2006/24/EC (Directive) is invalid.
The Irish High Court (in Digital Rights Ireland Ltd v Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources & Ors C-293/12) and the Austrian Constitutional Court (in Kärntner Landesregierung, Michael Seitlinger, Christof Tschohl and others, C 594/12), asked the CJEU to examine the validity of the Directive.Continue Reading CJEU rules that the Data Retention Directive is invalid
Restrictions on electronic direct marketing- politically correct?
Election candidates in the upcoming May local and European Parliament Elections have all recently received correspondence from the Data Protection Commissioner reminding them of their obligations with regards to communicating with the electorate. Candidates were made aware that should any complaints be received by the office of the Data Protection Commissioner they will be investigated, with appropriate action taken.
Candidates and political parties must adhere to the clear statutory guidelines as set out the in the European Communities (Electronic Communications Networks and Services) (Privacy and Electronic Communications) Regulations 2011, particularly in relation to the use of SMS, phone and e-mail in sending electoral messages. Continue Reading Restrictions on electronic direct marketing- politically correct?
European Parliament Approves Draft EU Data Protection Regulation
On 12 March 2014, the European Parliament voted in favour of the revised draft EU Data Protection Regulation. To become law the proposed Regulation must be adopted by the EU Council using the "ordinary legislative procedure". The EU Council is due to meet in June 2014.
Background
The proposed Regulation was originally presented by the European Commission on 25 January 2012. It has been the subject of voracious debate both in Brussels and across the EU, and has been subject to much re-drafting.
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