Since at least the 1960s, public discourse has pointed to the need for legal protection of folklore from its uncontrolled, commercial and often inappropriate use. However, no regulation has yet been developed that would, on the one hand, protect the legitimate interests of local cultural communities and, at the same time, not excessively restrict access to broadly understood cultural goods for the entire society. The author of this article is looking for an appropriate model for the legal protection of folklore, analyzing in this regard primarily the concept of protection based on the copyright regime and the concept of sui generis regulation.

Gergely Gosztonyi’s Censorship from Plato to Social Media – The Complexity of Social Media’s Content Regulation and Moderation Practices (Springer, 2023) delves into the evolution of censorship, tracing its journey from historical contexts to modern digital platforms. The book critically navigates the complexities of content regulation on social media, highlighting the shift from traditional state censorship to the nuanced practices of today’s internet giants. Gosztonyi advocates for a collaborative approach to internet governance, emphasizing the need for policies that safeguard freedom of expression while addressing the challenges of online content moderation. Through this concise exploration, the book emerges as a pivotal resource, urging policy-makers, scholars, and digital platforms to engage in informed dialogue about content regulation. Gosztonyi’s insights invite readers to critically navigate the digital age’s regulatory challenges, highlighting the imperative for a balanced, open, and democratic internet.

Short form videos has become one of the most popular means of communication in the digital age. Platforms such as TikTok, Instagram (Reels) and YouTube (Shorts) enable the rapid creation and sharing of content with millions of recipients. The article analyzes the legal aspects of this form of expression, especially in the context of copyright, personal data protection, content regulations and the responsibility of online platforms. The aim is to show the challenges faced by the law when confronted with the dynamically developing and difficult to control area of digital culture. Research thesis: The development of socio-artistic phenomena related to short videos creation necessitates a reinterpretation of traditional copyright law constructs, particularly regarding the boundaries of fair use, authorship, and protection of remixed and algorithm-generated content. Research objective: The aim of this study is to analyze the impact of contemporary cultural and technological phenomena on shaping copyright law in relation to short-form videos content published in the digital space. The study also aims to identify legal gaps and propose interpretative or legislative directions. Research material: EU and Polish copyright laws, documentation and regulations of digital platforms regarding copyright protection, materials on the use of artificial intelligence in audiovisual content creation, industry reports, and legal opinions. Methodology: The research is based on the dogmatic-legal method (analysis of Polish and EU legislation), case law analysis, scientific literature review. Additionally, media studies and cultural studies perspectives are incorporated to describe artistic phenomena.

The harmonisation of the patent law system was initiated in 1883 when the Paris Convention was adopted. Another considerable step in the process was to conclude the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS Agreement) in 1994. It may be claimed that the process has gradually accelerated recently, which is visible at the global, regional and European levels. The Group B+ at WIPO makes an attempt to prepare certain assumptions on the substantive patent law harmonisation. Specific countries form economic coalitions to boost the importance of intellectual property rights. The European Commission has prepared a patent package and a pharmaceutical package so as to unify patent law at the EU level. New technologies, especially artificial intelligence systems, seem to impact the process of harmonisation, as well, creating various legal doubts. Although a considerable number of actions have begun, they lack a structured and centralised nature, which may impede the process, or, at least, make it more convoluted.