EU Copyright Rules: Provisional Deal Struck On Changes 13/02/2019 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The European Council’s Romanian presidency announced today it has struck a provisional agreement with the EU Parliament on a draft directive that makes changes to existing European Union copyright rules. The draft agreement, which will go before the full Council of member states and Parliament for approval, would make changes such as a controversial new “publishers’ right,” and strengthens copyright protections on online content sharing platforms. It also would introduce copyright exceptions for a range of purposes such as text and data mining, online teaching, and cultural heritage.
TRIPS Council To Look At IP And The Public Interest, Business Interest 11/02/2019 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The World Trade Organization is the prime gathering point for the world’s governments to discuss and negotiate on policies of the day. A decades-long swinging pendulum within the WTO’s committee on trade and intellectual property is IP’s contribution to innovation and economy and its contribution to the public interest. At its meeting this week, the committee will feature discussions on both.
New High-Tech System Against Falsified Medicines Goes Live In Europe 08/02/2019 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A ground-breaking new high-tech system to catch falsified medicines in the supply chain in Europe went into effect today, allowing prescription medicines to undergo verification for authenticity before reaching patients.
US Industry IP Index Released: US Advances, India Shows Leadership, EU, Singapore Near Top 08/02/2019 by David Branigan for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The leading United States industry association yesterday released its annual International Intellectual Property Index, ranking countries on their progress in protecting US intellectual property rights. The ranks show the US advancing in the area of patent protection, while retaining the top overall score; India strengthening IP and charting a course for other developing countries; and EU countries dominating the higher scoring bracket with Singapore first on patent protection.
On Eve Of Lego Movie 2 Release, WIPO Acts To Block Pirated Version 07/02/2019 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment As the blockbuster animated movie Lego Movie 2 gets set to hit screens in the United States this weekend, the World Intellectual Property Organization had a release of its own: a domain dispute ruling against a pirate website purporting to offer a free version of the film for download ahead of the release.
Trump Highlights IP, Trade, Drug Prices In Speech To Congress 06/02/2019 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment President Donald Trump gave the US Congress a rosy, nationalistic presentation of the condition of the US economy and security last night and amid the range of issues raised, mentioned intellectual property twice in the context of trade, and extensively discussed lowering drug prices.
US IP Enforcement Coordinator Under Trump Asks, “What Can We Do Differently?” 05/02/2019 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The Trump administration is taking the US intellectual property enforcement coordinator’s role in new directions, building on past administrations but trying to address ways it has not been effective in the past, according to the annual report of the coordinator, released yesterday.
US Complaints About Technology Transfer In China: Negotiating The Endgame 24/01/2019 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Dean Pinkert writes: The United States Trade Representative (USTR) has been open about its view of the difficulties faced by US companies who claim – generally anonymously – that they have been forced to transfer technology to Chinese entities: “The fact that China systematically implements its technology transfer regime in informal and indirect ways makes it ‘just as effective [as written requirements], but almost impossible to prosecute.’” As I explain in this article, I believe such informality is not merely a barrier to prosecutions; it also presents conceptual challenges for US trade negotiators as they attempt to craft effective means to address the concerns of US companies doing business in China.
What’s The Cost Of Allowing Patent Theft? Don’t Wait To Find Out 09/01/2019 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Russ Genet writes: Protecting patents can be expensive, especially for companies competing in a global arena where aggressive startups, cut-rate competitors and industrial giants are all vying for the next big innovation to snatch up or move to market. However, failing to protect patents can be equally expensive. It is estimated that patent theft costs the US economy billions each year. And for the corporate patent owner, failing to defend patent rights today can significantly limit their value in the future.
US IP Attachés: China’s IP Policy ‘Hijacked’ By Local Interests In 2018; Bad Faith Filings A ‘Cancer’ 21/12/2018 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment WASHINGTON, DC – Two out of three United States intellectual property attachés based in China last week had tough words for China’s manipulation of IP policy and law over the past year, suggesting they at times “hijack” the legal process in favour of local interests, and are in a mad rush to become the world’s top patent and trademark filers regardless of quality to the point that it has become a “cancer” on the IP registration system. A third US IP attaché, however, took a friendlier and more patient view of China’s actions, downplaying concerns and urging US companies to allow it to continue.
