Taiwan Updates Distance Learning IP Rules In response to current technological developments, educational policies, and pandemic measures, the Legislative Yuan passed partial draft amendments to the Copyright Act in a third reading on May 27, 2022.  The amendments target aspects of distance learning such as the rules for fair use of copyrighted works, allowing teachers to provide classroom instruction without unnecessary worry.  In accordance with digital education policies, the amendments also allow textbook preparers to transmit digital copies to teachers and students to promote the use of e-schoolbags as a replacement for the heavy backpacks that previous generations had to endure.  The main amendments are as follows: Within the necessary scope of classroom instruction, teachers may offer reference materials or information to students online. This is in response to the pandemic situation as well as international technological development trends. Not-for-profit remote education may use copyrighted works but must still pay for copyright authorization. For-profit distance learning activities must acquire paid authorization also. Textbook preparers may transmit digital copies of copyrighted works to teachers and students for e-schoolbags unlike previously when only paper copies of textbooks were allowed to be distributed. Remuneration must be paid for the authorized use of copyrighted works under the new regulations. The National Central Library (NCL) will be allowed to digitally reproduce its collection in advance as a precaution against damage or loss. The NCL and affiliated libraries will also allow readers access to the digital collection via computers within the libraries. Taiwan Amends Guidelines to Accept E-signed POAs The Taiwan Intellectual Property Office (TIPO) is planning to revise the Patent Examination Guidelines to allow...

TIPO and TWPAA Co-host Awards Ceremony for the Patent Specification Drafting Competition The Taiwan Intellectual Property Office (TIPO) partnered with the  (TWPAA) on April 26 to host Embracing IP to Chase Dreams – the 2022 Entrepreneur’s Forum, which is part of the 2022 World IP Day series of events.  The Patent Specification Drafting Competition for Youth was held concurrently in 3 separate locations in North, Central and South Taiwan, and attracted a total of 29 teams of students from 19 Taiwan colleges to participate.  Contestant teams took classes and competed over a period of two days, and a panel of judges consisting of industry experts and government officials chose 3 teams as the winners.  As a yearly event, TIPO hosts various events to celebrate World IP Day.  This year, as part of the theme – IP and Youth: Innovating for a Better Future – the drafting competition was one of a package of activities intended to inspire creative thinking.  During the two days of the event, undergraduate students were introduced to basic concepts in IPR and patent specifications, and with the guidance of professional instructors, the teams could practice converting creative ideas into tangible IP assets.   Taiwan Tightens Requirements before Allowing Investment in China The provisions of the Regulations Governing the Approval of Investment or Technical Cooperation in Mainland China have been amended.  In order to protect the IP of Taiwanese firms, the April 2022 revisions have broadened the definition of technical cooperation.  This means that the transfer and licensing of computer program copyrights are subject to restriction.  Also, the transfer of investments to individuals or entities in China...