New Israeli copyright law

[geni]

While people were busy moaning at Canada Israel finally updated it's 1911 based copyright system. The act is unfortunately written in a form of not English called Hebrew and can be found here:

http://www.knesset.gov.il/Laws/Data/law/2119/2119.pdf

I've not seen any full translations yet.

As one of the changes introduced by the act that text is PD rather than crown copyright (there may be further modifications to crown copyright but no one is talking about them yet).

Other changes are a switch from UK style fair dealing to US style fair use.
A series of exceptions that allow backups of computer programs and modifications under certain conditions. There are also further exceptions for schools in various areas.

The law introduces moral rights but unfortunately I don't know the details however the bad news is that it appears they may be European style.

Other features include terms of life +70 for most things and 50 years for recorded music (don't know about typesetting).

A Freedom of panorama law that appears to be British in style (ie very very liberal) but I really need more details on that and it could instead be German style.

The act is pretty short so a lot of stuff is going to be sorted out through case law however it has been suggested that those wishing to play their CDs on their mp3 players may be allowed to do so.

 

[Darat]

I've not seen any English translations either (surprising given it only became law a couple of weeks ago) but I read that it does indeed include a USA style "fair use" concept.

 

[shadron]

Other changes are a switch from UK style fair dealing to US style fair use.
A series of exceptions that allow backups of computer programs and modifications under certain conditions. There are also further exceptions for schools in various areas.

Fair use excuses a number of other possibilities, such as allowing relatively short quotes, photocopies for personal use, and copying airwave programs to video tapes for personal use. Of course, media interests are really keen on seeing these uses rescinded, but haven't succeeded so far.

 

[Corsair 115]

There's a lot of moaning going on inside Canada too in regards to a potential new copyright law. Apparently, the U.S. has been pressuring Canada to adopt rules similar to the U.S. but there is resistance to that here in some quarters. The feeling is the U.S. rules go to far in favour of corporations in terms of protecting copyright.

 

[geni]

Fair use excuses a number of other possibilities, such as allowing relatively short quotes, photocopies for personal use, and copying airwave programs to video tapes for personal use.

Nope. The courts interpriation of fair use allows the above but Israeli law isn't pure common law based so makeing predictions based on US caselaw is risky.