WIPO Traditional Knowledge: Text Passes Committee Approval, Goes To Next Session23/09/2016 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentWorld Intellectual Property Organization delegates today agreed on a text compiling divergent views on how traditional knowledge should be protected in the intellectual property system to be forwarded to the next session of its committee on the protection of traditional knowledge. Some clear dividing lines remain, such as traditional knowledge which is widely known and could have been placed in the public domain, or if conditions of eligibility should be part of a potential treaty.
CETA To Be Signed (Again) During EU-Canada Summit In Mid-October23/09/2016 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentEuropean Union trade ministers at an informal meeting in Bratislava, Slovakia today agreed on the final steps to enact CETA, the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement between Canada and the EU. There will be no other reopening of the text, assured EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstroem after the meeting. But ministers have agreed, according to Slovak Minister of Economy Peter Ziga, that some sensitive issues have to be straightened out in an additional annex to the CETA text.
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.
Panel On The Right To Scientific Progress And Freedom For Scientific Research23/09/2016 by Alexandra Nightingale for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentScientists, national and United Nations representatives, academia and civil society this week explored and elaborated on the right to enjoy scientific progress and the freedom which is indispensable for scientific research. The right was placed in the context of today’s global challenges and scientists presented the latest examples of their research, in which human rights related to freedom of scientific research could be applied. The panel set out promote systematic dialogue to foster an understanding of the right and of what is being advanced.
Shared Experiences Of Indigenous Peoples In The WIPO Negotiating Process22/09/2016 by Alexandra Nightingale for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentMembers of indigenous communities this week shared their experiences in negotiating for their rights at the World Intellectual Property Organization and gave their advice on negotiations for potential treaties on genetic resources, traditional knowledge and folklore.
Nagoya Protocol Gains Members, Implications Spread Ripples22/09/2016 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentThe UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) announced early this month that five new countries ratified its protocol on access and benefit sharing of genetic resources, bringing membership to 85 countries.
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.
First Revised Articles Of Potential Treaty Protecting TK At WIPO Issued Today21/09/2016 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 CommentA new set of draft articles of a potential treaty protecting traditional knowledge from misuse and misappropriation was issued this morning. Facilitators of the discussions worked late last night to produce a document with a number of alternative texts, reflecting points of views of member states.
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.
Leaks Show TISA No Easy Trade Deal; Civil Rights Groups, Unions Alarmed20/09/2016 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch 1 CommentGreenpeace, European Digital Rights, Public Services International and the International Transport Worker’s Federation today presented a collection of leaked papers on the Trade in Services Agreement (TISA). As negotiators from a dozen countries currently gathered in Geneva for officially the 20th round to close the deal on better trans-border service trading, the civil rights activists and trade union representatives warned that TISA partners would commit to give up their options to regulate in the public interest through a secret deal.
