In this episode, we explore how different countries approach media policy, focusing on comparative perspectives that highlight the varied ways media regulation shapes society. Drawing from the Routledge Handbook of Media Law, this episode examines how political, cultural, and legal frameworks influence media governance globally. By analyzing case studies from the EU, the U.S., and emerging markets, we consider the balance between regulation, freedom of expression, and public interest. This discussion provides insights into the dynamic interactions between media policy, government oversight, and societal values in diverse jurisdictions.

In this episode, we examine the intricate relationship between media policy, free speech, and the concept of citizenship. Guided by insights from the Routledge Handbook of Media Law, this discussion delves into how media policies shape and sometimes limit the rights to free expression and public discourse. We explore the role of media in fostering informed citizenship and democratic engagement while also addressing challenges like hate speech, propaganda, and fake news. By analyzing the delicate balance between safeguarding free speech and protecting public order, this episode provides a nuanced view of how media law shapes—and is shaped by—the democratic values it seeks to uphold.

This episode explores the structures and principles that shape media policy, focusing on the institutional frameworks that govern media operations globally, as discussed in the Routledge Handbook of Media Law. We examine how national and international bodies design policies to promote a diverse and fair media landscape, including rules around ownership, competition, and content standards. The episode delves into the role of regulatory agencies, the impact of public policy on private media companies, and the influence of global organizations, such as UNESCO, on national media laws. Key examples illustrate how policy design affects freedom of expression, public service broadcasting, and accountability, offering insights into the complexities of governing media in democratic and authoritarian regimes alike.

In this opening episode, we provide an overview of media law and its evolving role in the digital age, drawing from the Routledge Handbook of Media Law. This introduction covers the scope of media law, including its foundations in protecting freedom of expression and the press, while also addressing legal restrictions and ethical considerations unique to media. We explore the balance between public interest, individual privacy, and the responsibilities of media organizations in different jurisdictions. This episode sets the stage for examining the complex relationship between media freedom, regulatory frameworks, and emerging challenges in the global media landscape, from defamation and privacy rights to issues of censorship and digital transparency.

This episode delves into the range of civil and criminal remedies available for IP infringement within the European Union. We explore the framework of enforcement measures under Directive 2004/48/EC (the IP Enforcement Directive), which standardizes civil remedies, including injunctions, damages, recall, and destruction of infringing goods. We also examine procedural tools like evidence preservation orders and provisional measures to prevent continued infringement. On the criminal side, the episode discusses Directive 2013/40/EU on attacks against information systems and explores member state approaches to criminal sanctions for IP crimes, such as fines, imprisonment, and confiscation, in cases of severe infringement, counterfeiting, or piracy. We highlight landmark cases, including Phil Collins v. Imtrat Handelsgesellschaft and L’Oréal SA v. eBay International AG, to illustrate how these remedies protect rights holders and deter infringement across the EU.

This episode covers the framework of jurisdiction and applicable law in IP disputes within the EU, focusing on how courts determine where cases can be filed and which laws apply. We start by exploring key regulations, including the Brussels I Regulation Recast (Regulation (EU) No 1215/2012) governing jurisdictional matters in civil and commercial cases, and the Rome II Regulation (Regulation (EC) No 864/2007), which determines applicable law in cross-border tort disputes. The episode examines the “country of protection” principle, requiring IP disputes to be judged based on the laws where protection is claimed, and specific jurisdiction rules for IP, such as those involving multi-state IP infringements. Additionally, we review influential cases like Coty Germany GmbH v. First Note Perfumes and Nintendo Co. Ltd v BigBen Interactive GmbH, illustrating how EU courts approach jurisdiction and cross-border infringement scenarios. This episode equips listeners with an understanding of the procedural aspects shaping IP litigation across the EU.

This episode delves into the synergy and friction between Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) and unfair competition law in the European Union. IPRs grant creators exclusive rights over their innovations, trademarks, and designs, while EU unfair competition law seeks to prevent deceptive, harmful, or dishonest market practices that can distort fair competition. We explore the directives and regulations addressing unfair commercial practices, including the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive and Misleading and Comparative Advertising Directive, and their interaction with IP protections. Highlighting landmark cases, such as L’Oréal v Bellure and Mars v Nestlé, we examine practices like trademark dilution, parasitic copying, and misleading advertising to illustrate the legal boundaries and protections available to rights holders. This episode offers insights into the EU’s dual approach of fostering innovation through IPRs and promoting market fairness through strong competition safeguards.

In this episode, we unpack the intricate relationship between Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) and competition law within the European Union. While IPRs grant exclusive rights to encourage innovation and creativity, EU competition law aims to maintain a fair and open market across Member States, leading to complex interactions between exclusivity and competition. We examine key areas where these fields intersect, such as licensing agreements, technology transfer, market dominance, and the abuse of IP rights under Articles 101 and 102 TFEU. Major EU cases, including Microsoft, Huawei v. ZTE, and GlaxoSmithKline, illustrate how the European Commission and the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) handle restrictive practices, excessive pricing, refusals to license, and standards for essential patents. This episode provides a nuanced understanding of the EU’s approach to balancing IP protections with competition principles, ensuring innovation thrives in a competitive and accessible market.

In this episode, we explore the comprehensive legal framework governing intellectual property (IP) rights in the European Union. This includes an overview of primary legislation, such as the foundational EU IP Directives and Regulations, which harmonize IP rights across Member States. Key focus areas include copyright, trademarks, patents, industrial designs, and geographical indications, each with unique protections under EU law. The episode highlights significant institutions such as the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) and the European Patent Office (EPO), detailing their roles in administering and enforcing these rights across the EU. We also delve into the Court of Justice of the European Union’s (CJEU) influential role in shaping EU IP jurisprudence through case law, covering landmark decisions that address cross-border enforcement, exhaustion of rights, and digital rights management. This episode provides a solid understanding of the EU’s IP framework, emphasizing its goals to support innovation, protect IP holders, and balance fair competition across the internal market.

In this episode, we delve into the essentials of patent law within the European Union, exploring how patents provide inventors with exclusive rights to their inventions. We begin by examining the requirements for patentability—novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability—and discuss the types of inventions that can and cannot be patented under EU law. The episode also covers the application and grant process within the European Patent Office (EPO), including the differences between national patents, European patents, and the upcoming Unitary Patent, which aims to streamline patent protection across multiple Member States. We discuss opposition and revocation procedures, as well as infringement enforcement, and highlight key cases that have shaped EU patent law. Finally, we look at specific challenges in patenting fields like biotechnology and software, providing a complete overview of patent protection and enforcement in the EU.