Europe Dominates List Of Candidates For Next WHO Director23/09/2016 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentThe World Health Organization today released the list of candidates to be the next director general of the UN health agency in Geneva. Of the six candidates, four are from the European region.
Against ‘Grave Challenge To Achievements Of 20th Century’, UN Agrees Political Declaration On Antibiotic Resistance22/09/2016 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentNEW YORK — The membership of the United Nations today agreed a political declaration on antimicrobial resistance, elevating the global fight against overuse and misuse of antibiotics – and lack of new antibiotics – to the highest political level. The declaration struck by world leaders at the UN General Assembly in New York includes mention of separating medicine prices from the cost of research and development, and calls on the UN secretary-general to create an interagency coordination group. Now – as framed by many governments, intergovernmental organisations and nongovernmental representatives – attention moves to implementation of actions aimed at staving off this threat to humanity itself.
Big Pharma Issues Industry Roadmap On Antimicrobial Resistance20/09/2016 by Catherine Saez and William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentMajor pharmaceutical companies today issued a roadmap they said aims to bring solutions to the problem of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The plan, issued on the eve of the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance, targets environmental impact, use of antibiotics only by those who need them, improved access to medical products, and public-private partnerships.
WiFi Providers Can Be Forced To Require Passwords On Rightsholder Request, ECJ Rules15/09/2016 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 CommentThe European Court of Justice today ruled that a shop offering Wifi is not liable for copyright infringements on its network but may be forced by rightsholders to require passwords to use the network. [Update: Reactions are being added below]
WIPO Committee Approves Forbin As New Top Copyright Official14/09/2016 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentThe nomination of Sylvie Forbin of France to be the next head of copyright issues at the World Intellectual Property Organization was finalised yesterday as the WIPO Coordination Committee approved her appointment. She starts work at WIPO on Monday.
Group Of Nations Demand UN Investigative Report On WIPO Director14/09/2016 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 3 CommentsAbout a dozen members of the World Intellectual Property Organization yesterday demanded to be provided with a report conducted by the United Nations Office of Investigation and Oversight Services (OIOS) on allegations against the WIPO director general.
Important Agenda For WIPO Coordination Committee Tomorrow12/09/2016 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 CommentOn 12 September, a powerful member-state committee at the World Intellectual Property Organization will consider the nomination of a new head of copyright, and a sensitive agenda item on a highly secret UN report on whether the WIPO director general engaged in wrongdoing.
Hyperlinks Can Infringe Copyright If Commercial, European High Court Says08/09/2016 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 3 CommentsA hyperlink on a website that links to copyrighted material and does not have the rights holder’s consent may be allowable if for non-commercial purposes, the Court of Justice of the European Union said today. But it may infringe copyright if linked for profit and with knowledge of the lack of permission to link it, it said.
Two US Congressional Leaders Criticize WTO For Stance On Trade Remedy, Food Safety Measures08/09/2016 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 CommentFrom a press release issued today: “House Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Sander Levin (D-MI) and Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-OR) today sent a letter to World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General Roberto Azevêdo, criticizing the WTO Secretariat’s stance on measures it views as protectionist, and urging the office to better support the rules-based global trading system.”
US Copyright Office Charged With Industry Bias08/09/2016 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 CommentThe United States Copyright Office systematically hires officials from the copyright industries it serves and oversees, while excluding experts with other views, a public interest group has charged. Image Credits: US Copyright Office
