Copyright in the digital environment

This submission briefly reviews the dearth of empirical evidence that copyright policy is either effective or efficient. It then focuses on consumer rights, how these are unnecessarily undermined by copyright policy, and how this lack of balance between producer and consumer rights is radically worsened in a digital environment with legislated monopoly privileges. A poor consumer environment will impede the development of a flourishing digital sector. A range of specific issues are discussed briefly: double-dipping through technological protection measures (TPMs), the right for communities to access cultural material sold using copyright privileges, the excessive strength of copyright privileges, compliance costs and the proportionality of penalties

Consumer Rights Screening Tool for Domestic Violence Advocates and Lawyers

The information is this document is intended for use by advocates and attorneys working with survivors of domestic violence in understanding the common types of consumer problems faced by the survivors. The document provides an overview of the common consumer issues faced by survivors and offers solid guidance on how advocates and attorneys can identify these issues when working the survivors. The report begins with an overview of the role of economic abuse in cases of domestic violence. This is followed by a brief look at common consumer issues faced by survivors that include managing household income and expenses, credit reporting, debt collection, foreclosure and eviction, utility access, credit cards and high cost credit, student loan debt, and auto access and ownership. The next section of the report provides information for advocates and attorneys to use in identifying their clients’ consumer needs. This is followed by a list of general and issue-specific screening questions that can be asked of the survivors to provide adequate background information to assist domestic violence advocates and attorneys. Information on additional resources for assisting survivors is also included at the end of the document