Law School

Professor Griffin's main area of research relates to the impact of Intellectual Property laws upon technology. He has recently published a monograph about the development of quantum and biological computing ('The State of Cultural Biology: The regulation of biological computing' Edward Elgar (2023)). This monograph argued that it is important to acknowledge the historical role of biologies in the making of culture when considering such newer computing technologies. He has published articles on the role of authors in the digital environment, such as 'The evolution of authorship under technology: implications for copyright law' in the IPQ and 'Copyright in Music' in Legal Studies. A monograph ('The State of Creativity') has been published which looks at the function of creativity within the development of society. A collection of works investigating 3D printing in China was published in 2018. He is the editor of Merkin and Black, 'Copyright and Design Law.' Current research interests include copyright and rationality, copyright and technology, memes and copyright, communicative theory and copyright, art and the law, and interdisciplinary research into creativity. Professor Griffin is also invovled with the development of novel technologies, such as the tracking and tracing of information through technologies such as quantum and biological computers, and has been helped lead projects developing patented digital watermarks for 3D printed objects.

 

For an accurate funding, publications and conference presentation list, please expand this tab. For media appearences enter the 'full profile' view and click on 'professional activities.'

 

Successful Funding:

 

2021-2023 Li Dak Sum Innovation Fellowship (Co-I) 3 D -- 3 D with Chan (PI), Hao and Zeng (Nottingham Ningbo) RMB 500,000 (c.£57,000).

2021-2023 AHRC (PI) 3D printing in China AH/V015761/1 - impact - with Chan (Nottingham Ningbo), Osuji (Essex) and Umbach (Nottingham) - £82,218

2020 ESRC (Co-I) AI in 3DP arbitration with K Nousia - 3D printing and AI - £10,462

2016-2019 Google - administrator of annual Google travel fund for BILETA conference - £5,000 p.a. (2016), £6,000 p.a. (2017+)

2015-2017 AHRC-Newton Fund-Ningbo Science and Technology Bureau (PI) 3D printing in China – with Chan (Nottingham Ningbo), Choo (Nottingham Ningbo), Jones (Durham), Li (Sussex), Li (CUPL, Beijing), Osuji (Essex), Mok (SLM), Zhu (Nottingham Ningbo) £97,000.

2016 EPSRC (Co-I) with Li (Sussex), Faulkner (Sussex), Medcalf (Loughbourgh) 3D Printing and RDM EP/M017656/1– c.£57,000

2016 Internal University of Exeter Award - to develop impact - £1000

2014/5 BILETA – 3D Printing Workshop - £595

2012 SLS – Digital Copyright Exchange – £1275

2012 EPSRC - The relationship between 3D printing and intellectual property law. With Charlotte Waelde, Liang Hao, Richard Everson £4,046

2011 – RIVENTA - A small £400 grant for research into copyright.

2011 – EPSRC - Water Recycling in Urban Areas, 2011. With F Memon, S Hughes, N Smirnoff, N Hawkins, S Barr & A Nayak - £5000

2011 - EPSRC “The relations between creativity in mathematical & biological systems, creativity as a mental process, & creativity in the social world.” With Anna Craft, Robin Durie, Pete Ashwin, Ed Keedwell, Katrina Wyatt, Andy Wills, Kerry Chappell, & Varuni Wimalasiri - £5500

2011 - BILETA – Copyright Reform – £2939

2008 - SELEX - Copyright / Licensing (Contract Consultancy Research) - £2400

2003 - Home Office - European Procurement Guidelines Project for the National E-Public Procurement Supplier Adoption and Economic Development programme -£9,430.

2002-2005 University of Bristol, Law Department PhD Scholarship Award (Scholarship & GTA)

 

Articles:

Quantum Computing and Copyright Law: A Wave of Change or a Mere Irrelevant Particle? [2024] IPQ 24

With Nair, A., Pornography, Sexual Privacy and Copyright, Computer Law and Security Review (forthcoming, 2024)

With Noussia, K., Nedeva, S., Zervoudakis, S., Lux, J., and McNamara, J., 'Copyright Arbitration and DIspuite Resolution for 3D printing: An Emprical Analysis' EJLT [2023] 2

With Chan H, Guo M, Zeng F, Chen Y, and Xiao T, Blockchain-enabled authentication platform for the protection of 3D printing intellectual property: a conceptual framework study, 17 Enterprise Information Systems 2180776 [2023]

With Walsh K, Wallace A, Pavis M, Olszowy N, Hawkins N. Intellectual Property Rights and Access in Crisis. 52 IIC International Review of Intellectual Property and Competition Law 379 (2021)

'The enforcement of laws regulating digital cultural content: A proposal' 35 International Review of Law, Computers and Technology 70 (2021)

With Jones A, 3D Printing and the Right to Privacy, EJLT [2020] (1) (3)

3D printing: A sui generis right for the convergent technology, [2019] IPQ 25.

A proposal for a bridge of licensing over a sea of IP uncertainty: Digital Watermarking of 3D Printed Content’ in Chan, Choo, Griffin and Osuji (eds), Intellectual Property Rights and Emerging Technology: 3D printing in China (Routledge, 2018)

‘Biotech 3DP Digital Watermarking: An ‘uncanny valley’ in the Prosthetic State’ in Chan, Choo, Griffin and Osuji (eds), Intellectual Property Rights and Emerging Technology: 3D printing in China (Routledge, 2018)

‘We become what we think: Machine laws in machine minds’, in Chan, Choo, Griffin and Osuji (eds), Intellectual Property Rights and Emerging Technology: 3D printing in China (Routledge, 2018)

Chan, H.K., Griffin, J., Lim, J.J., Zeng, F., The impact of 3D Printing Technology on the Supply Chain: Manufacturing and Legal Perspectives" 205 International Journal of Production Economics 156 (2018).

Chan, H. K., Griffin, J., Lim, J. J., Zeng, F., & Chiu, A. S. F. Impact of 3D Printing Technology on Supply Chain in China. Proceedings of the 24th International Conference on Production Research, DEStech (2017) 492-495.

“A proposal for a doctrine of Information Justice”[2016] IPQ 44.

With Romero-Moreno, F., "The UK's criminal copyright proposals in an era of technological precision", 7 EJLT 2 (2016)

“Exploding cultural regulation: what the memetic can(n)on offers regulators” 20 Communications Law 120 (2015)

“The Future of Technological Law: The Machine State” 28 International Review of Law, Computers and Technology 299 (2014) [in memory of Professor Jon Bing]

With Li, P., Mellor, S., Waelde, C., Hao, L., Everson, R., “Intellectual Property and 3D Printing: A case study on 3D chocolate printing” 9 Journal of Intellectual Property Law and Practice 322 (2014)

With Nair, A., “The regulation of pornography: Teleology (in)action” [2013] International Journal of Law and Information Technology 1

With Nair, A., “Scientia potentia est: Making threats of copyright infringement”, 27 International Review of Computers, Law and Technology 1 (2013)

“Copyright evolution - Creation, Regulation, and the Decline of Substantively Rational Copyright Law,” Intellectual Property Quarterly [2013] 234

“Making a new copyright economy: A new system parallel to the notion of proprietary exploitation in Copyright” [2013] Intellectual Property Quarterly 69

“The Digital Copyright Exchange: Threats and Opportunities” 27 International Review of Computers, Law and Technology 5 (2013)

“The nature of the interface between copyright and contract: A new approach” 2(1) European Journal of Law and Technology 5 (2011)

“Copyright in Music: A role for the principles of reverse engineering”, 30 Legal Studies 653 (2010)

“300 years of copyright law: Time for a Change?”, 28 John Marshall Journal of Computer and Information Law 1 (2010)

“The architecture of copyright law”, [2010] Intellectual Property Quarterly 380

“An historical solution to the legal challenges posed by peer-to-peer file sharing and digital rights management technology”, 15 Communications Law 78 (2010)

“The Digital Economy Act 2010 and the impact on semiotic certainty” 24 International Review of Law, Computers and Technology 251 (2010)

"A review of the Digital Economy Acy 2010" [2010] 7 DASLS 15.

“The rise of the digital technology ‘meritocracy’: legal rules and their impact” 15(3) Information and Communications Technology Law 211 (2006)

“Interactivity and digital works: how legal rules are restricting our ability to use digital works as a communications medium” 20(3) International Review of Law, Computers and Technology 301 (2006)

“The ‘secret path’ of Grokster and Corley: Avoiding liability for copyright infringement” 10(5) Communications Law 147 (2005)

“The need for a new paradigm in IP Law: A focus on authorship” 14(3) Information and Communications Technology Law 269-278 (2005)

“The evolution of authorship under technology: implications for copyright law" Intellectual Property Quarterly (2005) 135-154

"Why the European Court of Justice is no longer running wild: The three fears", 1 International Affairs Society Journal 8 (2004) (on-line journal)

"Questions, Questions, Questions", 92 Amiga Format (1996) #AMIGAAAA!

 

"Book review: Media Law and Policy in the Internet Age", 9 EJLT 3 (2018)

"Book Review: Concepts of Music and Copyright" 29 Ent LR (2018)70; 40 EIPR 285 (2018).

"Book Review: Research handbook on digital transformations" 8 EJLT 2 (2017)

“Book Review: Harmonizing European Copyright Law: The Challenges of Better Lawmaking” 16 Journal of Computer, Media and Telecommunications Law 43 (2011)

“Book Review: Emerging Issues in IP” 14 Journal of Computer, Media and Telecommunications Law 35 (2009)

“Book Review: A User’s Guide to Copyright” 11 Journal of Computer, Media and Telecommunications Law 142 (2006)

“Book Review: In the Public Interest” 11 Journal of Computer, Media and Telecommunications Law 67-68 (2006)

“Book Review: Copyright and Free Speech” 10(4) Journal of Computer, Media and Telecommunications Law 142-143 (2005)

“Book Review: Intellectual Property in the new Millennium: Essays in Honour of William R. Cornish” 10 Journal of Computer, Media and Telecommunications Law 106-107 (2005)

 

Editorials: Griffin & O'Boyle, 37 IRLCT 1 (2023); Griffn & Romero-Moreno 14(1) EJLT (2023); Griffin, 35 IRLCT 1 (2021); Griffin, Maharg & Nair, 9(2) EJLT (2018); Griffin & Goncalves, 9(1) EJLT (2018); Griffin & Nair, 8(2) EJLT (2017).

 

Books:

(ed) Merkin and Black, Copyright and Design Law, Sweet & Maxwell (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 editions)

The State of Cultural Biology: Regulating Biological Computing (Edward Elgar, 2023)

The State of Creativity: The Future of 3D Printing, 4D Printing and Augmented Reality (Edward Elgar, 2019)

with Chan, Choo and Osuji, Intellectual Property Rights and Emerging Technology: 3D Printing in China (Routledge, 2018)

with Nair, A., and Ying, J., “Intellectual Property Law” Hodder Arnold, 2007

“Intellectual Property Law Guidebook” ITC, 2007 & 2008 editions (ed.)

 

Other:

With Barker, K., and Romero-Moreno, Response to Collaboration on European Commission Public Consultation: Implementing Regulation on Transparency Reporting under the DSA, 2024.

With Barker, K., Basu, S., Harbinja, E., Vanberg, A., BILETA response for the REF consultation, 2023.

With Barker, K., Collingwood, L., and Romero-Moreno, F., Review of the Computer Misuse Act, BILETA response to the UK Home Office, BILETA, 2023.

With Denoncourt & Blakely, Artificial Intelligence and IP: Copyright and Patents, BILETA response to the UKIPO, BILETA, 2022.

With Barker, K, & Basu, S., Tech and the Future of UK Foreign Policy, BILETA, 2021.

Patent over 3DP watermarks - CN-107330844B (2020).

With Romeo-Moreno, Charlesworth, Harbinja, Leiser, & Schafer, BILETA response to the White Paper on Artificial Intelligence – a European approach to excellence and trust, BILETA, 2020.

With Romero-Moreno, BILETA response to the EUIPO Consultation on Strategic Plan 2025 stakeholder consultation, BILETA, 2019.

With Romero-Moreno, P, and Gillen M., BILETA Response to the Culture, Media and Sport Committee’s ‘Fake news’ inquiry, BILETA, 2017.

With Li, P, Faulkner, A., Medcalf, N., Mass customisation governance: regulation, liability, and intellectual property of re-distributed manufacturing in 3D bioprinting, EPSRC, 2017.

With Romero-Moreno, P., Consultation Response – BILETA reply to the EC consultation on the evaluation and modernisation of the legal framework for the enforcement of IPRED - 2016

With Romero-Moreno, P., Consultation Response – BILETA reply to the Criminal Copyright Provisions – 2015

With Osuji, O., Kok, A., Gillies, L., Consultation Response – BILETA reply to the European Commission Public consultation on contract rules for online purchases of digital content and tangible goods – 2015

Contributor to the Copyright User Licensing Pages www.copyrightuser.org – 2014

With Mendis, D., Consultation Response – BILETA reply to the EU Copyright Treaty – 2014

Advised the Chinese Guangdong Intellectual Property Office about UK law – 2013

Response to EC Consultation on Green Paper on the Online Distribution of Audiovisual Works in the European Union: Opportunities and Challenges towards a Digital Single Market, IPFF, 2011.

Review of the Digital Economy Act, DASLS, 2010

Response to Consultation on legislative options to address illicit P2P file-sharing, 2008.

Lutkenhouse, S., Ying, J., "Best Value, EC Treaty and EU Regulations", NePP Supplier Adoption & Economic Development, Home Office (2003)

 

Conference Papers / Presentations (selected):

Quantum and Biological Compute Watermarking: The impact of future regulation, BILETA, DCU Dublin, 2024

Quantum and Biological Watermarking, University of Exeter, 2024

New Technologies and IP, University of Dresden, Germany, 2023

Quantum Computing and Copyright Law, Amsterdam Law and Technology Institute, VU Faculty of Law, BILETA, 2023

Copright protection of 3DP watermarks in the new technology era, Fudan University, Shanghai, 2023

With Mu, Xiaochen, Copyright protection of new objects of rights in the digital economy era, Ningbo, 2023

Quantum watermarking, Quantum watermarking workshop (AHRC AH/V015761/1), University of Exeter, 2022

International Perspectives of Copyright Law, General Kotelawala Defence University, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 2022

3DP watermark licensing practitioner day training session (UK section; AHRC project), 2022

IP Law and New Technologies: 4D Printing and Quantum Computing, University of Dresden, Germany, 2022

Introductions / Conclusions as Conference Chair, BILETA Conference, University of Exeter, 2022

How an automated 3DP licensing platform works, BILETA Conference, University of Exeter, 2022

Technologies for digital innovation in international trade finance: Blockchain, Cryptocurrencies, DLT, OCR AI and Robotics, College of Law Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar, 2022

With HK Chan, Designing an Authentication Platform based on the patented 3D printing digital watermarking technology and blockchain technology, University of Nottingham, Ningbo, China, 2022

3DP in China - an example of impact, University of Essex, 2021

Watermarks and digital licensing, IBM workshop, 2021

Brexit and Copyright Law, Dresden University, 2021

3D printing and PPE, Queen Mary, London, 2020

The State of Creativity, BILETA online conference, 2020

3D printing and watermarking, IRC, General Kotelawala Defence University, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 2019

The future of biotech regulation - new modes of thought, University of Belfast, 2019

The Uncanny Valley for biotech watermarking, University of Aberdeen, 2018

With Nair, A., Privacy and Porn: Copyright law and unjustified threats, University of Aberdeen, 2018

Report on the 3D printing project, University of Nottingham Ningbo, China, 2017

Licensing of 3DP copyright content, invited lecture to LLM students, Bournemouth University, 2017

3D Printing and Watermarking, SCuLE Staff Seminar, University of Exeter, 2017

3D Printing and Automated Licensing Systems, BILETA, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal, 2017

3D Printing and Licensing, China Electronic Information Expo: International Symposium on 3D printing and Internet of Things, Shenzhen, China, 2017

3D Printing - AHRC Project Report, University of Nottingham, February 2017

Tracking Technologies in 3D Printing, Building Digital Identities Workshop, University of Exeter Science Park, February 2017

3D printing and watermarking: FInal Conclusions from the AHRC Project, AHRC 3D Printing in China Conference, Shanghai, December 2016

With Jones, A., The Future of Privacy in a world of 3D printing, IALS, London, 2016

Watermarking and biotech printing, EPSRC Project - Mass customisation governance of re-distributed manufacturing, 1 Kemble Street, London, 2016

The regulation of biotech 3D printing, Taiwan Representative Office UK, London, 2016

The need for a doctrine of information justice, SLS, University of Oxford, 2016

3D printing – the future of dissemination, AHRC Workshop on 3D Printing, University of Nottingham Ningbo, China, 2016

The findings of the AHRC empirical study on automated licensing of 3D printed products in China, University of Nottingham Ningbo, China, 2016

With Li, P., The necessity of ‘privacy justice’ in the era of technological regulation, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland, 2016

With Li, P., The regulation of 3D printing in China, Central South University, Changsha, China, 2016

The concept of a sui generis right for 3D printing, University of Hertfordshire, 2016

The use of technology to regulate Intellectual Property, University of York, 2015

The legal challenges of 3D and 4D printing, Dresden University of Technology, Germany, 2015

Intellectual Property, Regulation and Future of the Internet, University of Exeter, 2015

The rise of the legal identifier, IBM Showcase, University of Exeter, 2015

With Hao, L., 3D printing: A case study and watermarking technologies, University of Bournemouth, 2014

SLS Funded Qualitative Research about the Digital Copyright Exchange, SLS Conference, University of Nottingham, 2014

With Mendis, D., BILETA Reply to the EU Consultation on the EU Copyright Treaty, University of East Anglia, 2014

Copyright Reform, BILETA, University of Liverpool, 2013

A proposal for a new system parallel to the notion of proprietary exploitation in copyright, Society of Legal Scholars, University of Bristol, 2012

Too many laws, too few examples: Copyright Evolution, BILETA, University of Northumbria, 2012

Copyright Evolution: Creation, Exploitation, Rationalisation, BAAS, University of Manchester, 2012

Copyrights and Contracts, GikII VI, IT University, Göteborg, Sweden, 2011

A uniform test for Intellectual Property, Sheffield Hallam University Staff Seminar, 2010

Intellectual Property: A unified test? [but with an emphasis on the concept of property and autopoiesis], Jean Monnet Seminar Series in the Information Society, University of Exeter, Jean Monnet Seminar Series in the Information Society, University of Exeter 2010

Rethinking IP theory, Chinese University of Politics and Law, Beijing, 2009

Age of Digital Convergence, Hong Kong University, 2009 (invited session chair)

University of Cambridge Roundtable discussion, University of Cambridge, 2009 (invited participant)

International Studies in IP law, Institut fur Geistiges Eigentum, Wettbewerbs und Medienrecht, University of Dresden, Germany, 2009 (invited participant)

A new approach for the justification of copyright in the digital era?, GIKIII, Oxford Internet Institute, 2008

The Role of ‘Ancient Regulation’ in a Copyright LLM Course, European Intellectual Property Teachers Network, University of Newcastle, 2008 (invited speaker, a write up is available at http://www.eiptn.org/workshops/Newcastle%20report.pdf )

Copyright: What happened to creativity?, BILETA, Glasgow Caledonian University, 2008

Should we have an exemption for transformative works in the Information Society Directive?, BILETA, University of Hertfordshire, 2007

Grokster – the end of p2p networks? A practical and theoretical analysis SLS Conference, Keele University, 2006

The effect of recent rulings and subpoenas on the use of p2p networks BILETA, University of Malta, Mdina, 2006

Why peer to peer file sharing should not be treated as an illegal activity, Intellectual Property Teachers' Workshop, University of Cambridge, 2005.

 

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