Intellectual property rights Archives | Digital Watch Observatory

Cate Blanchett unveils AI consent tool at European Parliament

Actor and producer Cate Blanchett has launched the Human Consent Registry, a free online tool that allows individuals to specify how AI systems may use their identity. Presented at the European Parliament, the registry enables users to permit or prohibit the use of their name, image, voice, likeness and movements by AI systems, either unconditionally or subject to specific terms.

The platform is available to individuals as well as representatives, such as agents and managers. Its developers say it will eventually expand to cover works of art, fictional characters and brands. It was developed by RSL Media, a nonprofit co-founded by Blanchett that focuses on building consent tools related to AI use, which launched in May to wide support from figures across the entertainment industry.

Blanchett has been a prominent advocate for stronger safeguards against unauthorised AI use. In March 2025, she joined more than 400 artists in signing an open letter urging the US administration to maintain copyright protections and reject proposals that would allow AI developers to train models on copyrighted works without permission or compensation.

The launch comes amid growing concern among artists over the unauthorised use of creative works and personal likenesses for AI training. Singer SZA recently said more than 200 of her songs had been used to train AI systems, while actor Matthew McConaughey has trademarked his image, voice and a well-known catchphrase.

The Human Consent Registry positions itself as a scalable and accessible alternative to such individual legal measures, offering a standardised mechanism that does not require significant resources to deploy. The tool is free to use and designed to be available to anyone, not only those with the means to pursue trademark or copyright protections independently.

The registry was launched during an event at the European Parliament hosted by Bulgarian MEP Eva Maydell of the European People’s Party. Director Steven Soderbergh also attended the event in Brussels.

Why does it matter?

The Human Consent Registry highlights a growing gap between existing intellectual property laws and the capabilities of generative AI. While copyright and trademark protections offer some legal remedies, they often do not provide individuals with a simple way to express or enforce consent over the use of their identity, voice or likeness by AI systems.

The initiative also reflects a broader shift towards consent-based AI governance. By launching the registry at the European Parliament, its creators are seeking to influence ongoing debates on AI regulation, copyright and personality rights, while promoting practical mechanisms that could complement future legal frameworks for the responsible use of AI-generated content.

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Ireland expands Trusted Flagger network under the DSA

Ireland’s media regulator, Coimisiún na Meán, has granted Trusted Flagger status to three additional organisations under the EU Digital Services Act.

The Irish Internet Hotline, the Irish Music Rights Organisation and the Jewish Representative Council of Ireland will join the Central Bank of Ireland, which received Trusted Flagger status in 2025.

Each organisation will submit notices to online platforms within its area of expertise. The Irish Internet Hotline will report child sexual abuse material, non-consensual intimate image sharing, racism, xenophobia, financial scams and fraud. The Irish Music Rights Organisation will focus on copyright infringement, particularly music and lyrical copyright, while the Jewish Representative Council of Ireland will report illegal antisemitic material.

Under the Digital Services Act, Trusted Flaggers are recognised bodies that can notify platforms of illegal content. Platforms must give those notices priority and decide on them without undue delay, although the designation does not guarantee content removal.

Coimisiún na Meán said reports from Trusted Flaggers will also help identify online safety trends and support evidence-based supervision of online platforms.

To qualify, organisations must demonstrate expertise in detecting, identifying and notifying illegal content, operate independently from online platforms and carry out reporting activities diligently, accurately and objectively.

The three new accreditations will remain valid for 3 years and can be reviewed, revoked, or reassessed upon expiration of the accreditation period.

Why does it matter?

Trusted Flaggers are one of the practical enforcement mechanisms of the Digital Services Act. Ireland’s expansion of the network creates specialised reporting channels for different categories of illegal online content, including child sexual abuse material, non-consensual intimate images, scams, copyright infringement and antisemitic material. The model aims to improve the quality and speed of platform responses while keeping final moderation decisions with platforms under DSA procedures.

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China advances tougher trademark protections targeting misleading practices

China is moving to strengthen trademark rules through a draft revision to the Trademark Law aimed at tackling misleading practices, bad-faith registrations and trademark hoarding.

According to China Daily, the draft revision is scheduled for further review by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress. The proposed changes would introduce stricter standards and procedures for trademark registration and use.

The draft would allow authorities to reject trademark applications filed without an intention to use the mark or beyond normal business needs. Violations that cause adverse effects could lead to warnings and fines of up to 100,000 yuan.

The proposal also targets deceptive trademarks that may mislead the public about a product’s quality or place of origin. If a registered trademark is used misleadingly, authorities could order corrective action, impose fines and revoke the trademark if violations are not corrected.

The draft would also strengthen oversight of trademark agencies and regulate trademark use in cyberspace. It includes measures to better protect the rights and interests of Chinese companies expanding overseas.

China is also developing a unified trademark registration and application platform to make trademark searches and related services easier for the public.

Why does it matter?

The draft revision reflects China’s effort to adapt trademark enforcement to online commerce and more complex brand practices. Stricter rules against deceptive trademarks, hoarding and bad-faith registrations could improve consumer trust and give businesses clearer protection in both domestic and cross-border markets. The cyberspace provisions are particularly relevant as trademark misuse increasingly occurs through online platforms, digital marketplaces and information networks.

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Cloudflare and beehiiv add AI crawler controls for newsletter publishers

Cloudflare and beehiiv have added AI crawler controls to the beehiiv newsletter platform, giving publishers more visibility over how AI bots access their content.

The integration embeds Cloudflare’s AI Crawl Control technology into beehiiv, allowing newsletter operators to monitor AI crawler activity and decide whether to allow or block access to their work.

The companies said the tool is designed for creators choosing between two strategies: increasing discovery through AI search engines and agents, or protecting content archives for future monetisation and licensing opportunities.

The new dashboard will show which AI crawlers attempt to access a publisher’s content, which are blocked, and how much referral traffic those crawlers send back to the newsletter.

AI Crawl Control will be available to all beehiiv users in beta. beehiiv Max customers will also be able to block AI crawlers and set permissions for how their content is accessed across the AI ecosystem.

Cloudflare and beehiiv said the integration eliminates the need for publishers to manually manage technical settings, such as robots.txt files and firewall rules. The system is also expected to update as new AI crawlers emerge.

Why does it matter?

The partnership shows how AI content access is becoming a practical governance issue for smaller publishers, not only large media companies. As AI search engines and agents change how online content is discovered and reused, creators need tools to see who is crawling their work, what traffic is returned, and whether access supports or undermines their business model. The integration also reflects a broader shift towards permission-based content access in the AI era.

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Beijing publishing forum calls for AI copyright standards

Publishing leaders and professionals have called for clearer copyright rules and industry standards for the use of AI in publishing, following discussions at the 2026 International Publishing Forum in Beijing.

The forum, held during the Beijing International Book Fair, brought together nearly 300 publishing executives and professionals from 26 countries and regions. It was jointly organised by the Publishers Association of China and the International Publishers Association.

Participants discussed how AI is reshaping publishing workflows, content production and distribution. They said AI should support, rather than replace, human creativity, with human-machine collaboration helping publishers improve efficiency and expand access to high-quality content.

Speakers also warned that the industry must protect intellectual property, preserve the authenticity and credibility of content, and support linguistic diversity as AI-generated material becomes more widely used.

Participants called for international cooperation on standards and copyright frameworks for AI applications in publishing. They said such rules should define rights and responsibilities, support fair compensation and ensure source traceability.

The discussions reflect growing concern in the publishing sector over how AI systems use copyrighted works, how original creators are recognised, and how publishers can maintain trust in content as synthetic media and automated production tools spread.

Why does it matter?

The forum highlights a central concern for creative industries: AI can improve publishing workflows and content distribution, but it also raises unresolved questions about copyright, attribution, compensation and authenticity. For publishers and authors, clear standards on source traceability and rights could become essential as AI-generated or AI-assisted content becomes more common.

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EPO places AI and quality at the centre of SACEPO discussions

The European Patent Office used the 58th meeting of the Standing Advisory Committee before the EPO to discuss patent quality, AI and the digital transformation of the European patent system.

The annual Main SACEPO meeting brought together users of the patent system to review the EPO’s Quality Action Plan 2026, legal changes, the Unitary Patent system and activities of the EPO Observatory and IP Lab.

A key focus was the use of AI to support the patent-granting process. The EPO said AI tools are intended to help examiners improve efficiency, consistency and completeness, while all patent decisions remain under human responsibility.

Participants also discussed progress on quality measures, stakeholder feedback and continued investment in examiner expertise, quality assurance and user engagement.

The meeting reviewed the EPO’s transition to a paperless patent-granting process, planned for April 2027, as well as updates to MyEPO services and DOCX filing.

Discussions also covered recent legal changes, the operational development of the Unitary Patent system, patent validation agreements, implementation of the WIPO treaty on genetic resources and traditional knowledge, and new activities from the EPO Observatory on Patents and Technology.

Why does it matter?

The meeting shows how AI is becoming part of the everyday infrastructure of patent administration. For patent offices, AI can support searches, classification, workflows and consistency, but legal certainty still depends on human responsibility and procedural safeguards. The EPO’s approach also reflects a wider shift towards fully digital public services in intellectual property, where automation, quality control and user trust need to develop together.

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European Patent Office launches Data Desk innovation platform

The European Patent Office (EPO) has launched the Data Desk, a new platform designed to provide innovators, investors and policymakers with detailed insights into global technology, innovation and patent trends.

The initiative was unveiled at VivaTech 2026 in Paris and forms part of the EPO’s broader efforts to support innovation and technological competitiveness across Europe.

The platform combines patent statistics, technology trend analysis and data visualisation tools into a single publicly accessible resource. Users can explore developments across countries and technology sectors, while specialised technology maps provide deeper insights into strategic fields such as clean energy technologies and quantum computing.

Additional datasets covering AI, semiconductors, cybersecurity and other strategically important technologies are expected to be added in future updates.

A key feature of the Data Desk is a dedicated dashboard tracking the performance of more than 8,000 European deep-tech startups with patent filings. According to EPO data, startups with patent filings significantly outperform non-patenting counterparts in funding intensity, investment activity and job creation, highlighting the economic importance of intellectual property.

The launch comes as Europe seeks to strengthen technological sovereignty and reduce strategic dependencies in key sectors. By providing detailed patent intelligence and innovation data, the EPO aims to help decision makers identify emerging opportunities and support the development of Europe’s next generation of technology leaders.

Why does it matter?

The Data Desk gives policymakers, investors and businesses easier access to strategic innovation intelligence at a time when Europe is prioritising technological sovereignty.

Better visibility into patent activity, startup performance and emerging technologies could improve investment decisions, strengthen competitiveness and support European leadership in areas such as AI, semiconductors, quantum computing and cybersecurity.

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EPO and Jio discuss AI, 5G and 6G patent strategy

The European Patent Office held a high-level online meeting with Jio Platforms to discuss patent quality, innovation and developments in the European patent system.

The meeting formed part of the EPO’s 2026 Quality Action Plan and wider user engagement with companies using the European patent system. Jio Platforms, India’s largest mobile network operator, is described by the EPO as an increasingly active user of the system.

Discussions covered AI, 5G, future 6G technologies, satellite communications and automation. Jio highlighted Europe’s growing importance for its patent strategy and outlined a global patent portfolio covering India, Europe, the United States and other jurisdictions.

A significant part of the exchange focused on standards and standard-essential patents. The EPO said the discussion explored developments in 5G and future 6G standards, as well as the Office’s recent work and research in the field.

The meeting also covered the Unitary Patent and Unified Patent Court. Jio does not currently use the Unitary Patent system, but the company expressed interest in assessing it as a possible option for future European patent protection.

Why does it matter?

The meeting highlights how patent strategy is becoming part of global competition in AI, 5G, 6G and digital infrastructure. For companies active in next-generation networks, standard-essential patents can shape market access, licensing power and participation in technical standards. Jio’s engagement with the EPO also reflects the growing internationalisation of Indian technology firms as they seek protection for innovation in European markets.

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Swiss parliament weighs AI apps in media copyright bill

Swiss lawmakers want the government to examine whether AI applications should be covered by a media copyright bill that would require online services to compensate publishers for displaying extracts from newspaper articles.

The Swiss Senate unanimously referred the media copyright bill and related rights bill back to the federal government on Wednesday. The House of Representatives had already approved the request in March by 157 votes to 29, with two abstentions, making the decision final.

The media copyright bill aims to require online platforms, including search engines and social media services, to pay copyright fees for displaying extracts of journalistic content. Swiss lawmakers now want the government to consider how AI applications should be treated under the proposal.

The federal government has been asked to examine how AI is changing the way platforms and search engines operate and what those changes mean for the proposed legislation. The review could determine whether AI services that display or reuse extracts from news articles should also compensate publishers.

Current Swiss rules do not provide specific protection for snippets and thumbnails, including short text extracts or images produced as part of journalistic work. As a result, online services have so far not paid remuneration to media companies for using this type of content.

The renewed review reflects growing concern that AI tools could reshape how users access news and how journalistic material is reused online. It also expands an existing debate over search engines, social media platforms and publisher compensation to include AI-powered services.

Why does it matter?

The review reflects growing international concern about how AI systems use and display journalistic content. As AI-powered search tools, chatbots and assistants increasingly become gateways to information, policymakers are questioning whether existing copyright frameworks adequately compensate publishers whose content helps power these services.

The Swiss debate also highlights a broader challenge facing governments worldwide: balancing innovation in AI with the economic sustainability of journalism. Decisions on whether AI services should pay for snippets, summaries or other reused content could influence future relationships between publishers, digital platforms and AI developers.

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Yale proposal targets transparency gap in AI development

Researchers at Yale’s Digital Ethics Center have proposed a copyleft-style licensing framework intended to increase transparency around generative AI models trained on open-source software.

The proposal, called the Contextual Copyleft AI License, would adapt principles from free and open-source software licensing to generative AI. Under the model, AI systems trained on open-source code could be treated as derivative works, requiring developers to make key information about model architecture and training data freely available.

The researchers argue that such a framework could give open-source software developers more control over how their code is used in AI development. They also say it could encourage more genuinely open AI models and reduce ‘open washing’, where systems are marketed as open despite keeping important components closed.

The proposal comes amid wider debates over AI transparency, copyright and the role of open-source software in the development of generative AI. The researchers conclude that the approach may be legally feasible under current copyright law, provided that training AI models on open-source software is not treated as fair use.

The study also notes that open generative AI models can create risks because they may be used to generate deceptive or harmful content. The researchers argue that licensing approaches need to work alongside regulatory safeguards, including rules designed to limit manipulative or deceptive uses of AI.

Why does it matter?

The proposal addresses a central transparency gap in AI development: many generative AI systems rely on open-source software but do not disclose enough about how that software is used, which data is involved, or how the resulting models work. If similar licensing approaches gained traction, they could reshape debates over AI openness, developer rights, copyright and accountability. The proposal also shows how open-source governance tools are being reconsidered for AI systems whose risks and dependencies differ from traditional software.

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