EU Elevates Geographical Indications As Priority For Hong Kong28/10/2005 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentGeographical indications (GIs) have become a political issue and a key priority for the European Union in the run-up to the December World Trade Organization ministerial in Hong Kong as GIs today officially became part of the EU’s agriculture package. As the EU proposed further cuts in its agriculture sector as part of the current […]
TRIPS Council Issues Still Alive For WTO Ministerial28/10/2005 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentThe World Trade Organization committee handling intellectual property issues finished four days of meetings with minimal progress in real terms, but kept several issues alive for the December WTO ministerial in Hong Kong. The WTO Council on the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) met from 25 to 28 October. Issues still […]
Pandemic Fears Raise Questions About WTO Health Waiver Opt-Out27/10/2005 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentAs nations prepare for a possible avian flu pandemic, some observers are raising questions about a seemingly obscure footnote in international trade law under which dozens of governments have agreed not to import cheap generic drugs made for poor countries. The concern is that the provision could make it difficult for those developed countries to […]
Intellectual Property Watch Announces New Associate Editor27/10/2005 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentIntellectual Property Watch is happy to welcome Tove Iren Spissøy Gerhardsen to its ranks as its new Associate Editor. She will be covering a full range of IP policy issues, including the areas of health, trade, and other developments at the international, regional (such as the European Union) and national levels. Tove was most recently […]
US, Switzerland, Japan Launch New WTO Probe On China’s IP Enforcement26/10/2005 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentThe United States, Japan and Switzerland have taken bilateral actions through the World Trade Organization to probe China’s intellectual property rights enforcement, despite Chinese objections. The three nations are requesting more transparency based on Article 63.3 of the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS). During the 25 October TRIPS Council meeting, […]
No Agreement On Public Health At TRIPS Council25/10/2005 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentOfficials at the World Trade Organization committee responsible for intellectual property issues on Tuesday could not agree on how to permanently change trade law to permit poor countries in need to import drugs made elsewhere under compulsory license. The WTO Council on the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) is under mandate […]
Avian Flu Issues Could Arise At TRIPS Council Meeting25/10/2005 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentIssues surrounding nations’ legal ability to obtain sufficient quantities of patented medicines to protect their people from the spread of avian influenza may be addressed at today’s meeting of the World Trade Organization committee responsible for intellectual property rights matters. The meeting of the WTO Committee on the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property […]
Indian Industry Pushing for Compulsory Licenses for Tamiflu25/10/2005 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentWhile Swiss-based Roche, the rights holder to the most-favoured medicine for avian influenza, is pursuing sub-licenses, India is moving ahead with exploring the option of compulsory licensing. If this goes through, India would be able to export Tamiflu to developing countries and certain developed countries. The Indian Cabinet is considering issuing compulsory licenses to local […]
Official: In WTO Talks, US Pushes Russia To Restrictive TRIPS Standard24/10/2005 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentRussia is negotiating for accession to the World Trade Organization at the same time it is talking with the United States bilaterally about exceeding the terms of the WTO agreement on intellectual property rights, and a senior Russian official said last week that the two have become intertwined. According to Russia’s lead negotiator on WTO […]
Roche Seeks Deals On Bird Flu Drug As Compulsory Licenses Loom20/10/2005 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch 1 CommentRoche, the Swiss-based company with rights to a medicine believed to be the most effective in the event of an avian influenza pandemic, has expressed openness to discussing arrangements with companies or governments to produce more of its flu treatment known as Tamiflu. But sceptics argue that the offer, made on 18 October, is too […]
