Title: The absence of legal database protection in the EPCglobal Network

Authors: Daniel Ronzani

Addresses: Department of Informatics, Copenhagen Business School, Howitzvej 60, DK–2000, Frederiksberg, Denmark

Abstract: The EPCglobal Network offers an efficient system for the deployment and administration of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) in the supply chain management. Its partly decentralised structure triggers questions about data compiled in the EPC Information System (EPCIS) and in RFID databases. This paper gives an overview of the base technology of an RFID system and the EPCglobal Network. It aims at directly applying the rulings of the landmark cases on copyright and database protection Feist (USA), CCH (Canada) and Horseracing/Fixtures (European Union) for RFID data compiled in the EPCglobal Network. It concludes that there is no strategic location advantage for RFID databases in the EPCglobal Network in either of the countries or regions.

Keywords: RFID; radio frequency identification; database protection; EPCglobal Network; Feist; CCH; horseracing; supply chain management; SCM; copyright; USA; United States; Canada; EU; European Union.

DOI: 10.1504/IJIPM.2007.014529

International Journal of Intellectual Property Management, 2007 Vol.1 No.4, pp.341 - 350

Published online: 13 Jul 2007 *

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