Review Finds WIPO Management Fraud Possible; Members May Act21/12/2005 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 CommentAn independent review of management practices at the UN World Intellectual Property Organisation found that widespread allegations of fraud in recent years could have occurred, and made recommendations for improvements. The finding is likely to lead to further action by WIPO member governments to strengthen safeguards against illegal or unethical practices. “Member states are keen […]
La propriété intellectuelle « laissée pour compte » au SMSI20/12/2005 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentPar Monika Ermert pour Intellectual Property Watch La propriété intellectuelle n’était pas à l’ordre du jour de la séance de clôture de la seconde phase du Sommet mondial des Nations Unies sur la Société de l’information (SMSI) organisée à Tunis, au terme d’un processus qui aura duré cinq ans. Certains craignent que cette omission ne […]
Hong Kong Ministerial Ends With Little Overall Progress; Limited Focus On IP18/12/2005 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentHong Kong–Trade ministers of the World Trade Organization members concluded a six-day intensive negotiation with little progress on the biggest issues, and minimal work on intellectual property issues. The final ministerial declaration adopted at the end of the meeting on 18 December contained no changes in terms of intellectual property issues from the meeting’s second […]
Latest WTO Ministerial Draft Urges Discussions On IP Issues To Intensify, Adds Review Date18/12/2005 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentHong Kong–The latest draft text from the World Trade Organization ministerial released today urges consultations on certain key intellectual property rights issues “to intensify” and adds a date for reviews of progress. The text is an update of a draft issued at the ongoing WTO ministerial in Hong Kong during the afternoon of 17 December […]
Non-Violation Complaint Moratorium Extended In Latest Hong Kong Draft18/12/2005 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentHong Kong–The 17 December draft of the ministerial text at the ongoing World Trade Organization (WTO) meeting extends a freeze preventing WTO members from complaining about other members’ intellectual property rights practices even when they are not violating WTO rules. There were no other significant changes to the draft text related to intellectual property rights. […]
Peru Attempts Strong WTO Position On Disclosure Despite Weaker US Deal17/12/2005 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentBy Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen and William New Hong Kong – Peru appears to be taking a strong position in World Trade Organization negotiations in favour of the disclosure of origin of genetic material and traditional knowledge in patent applications despite having agreed to weaker terms in a bilateral trade deal with the United States […]
CBD Issues Subject Of Tough Negotiations At WTO16/12/2005 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentHong Kong–Countries pushing for the launch of negotiations on the protection of biodiversity and traditional knowledge have been engaged in tough talks at the World Trade Organization ministerial in Hong Kong today. The countries, led by India and Brazil, are working to get language on the issue included in the text expected at the conclusion […]
Public Health Groups Sue US Government For Lack Of Consultation15/12/2005 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentA United States law firm representing public health groups filed suit against the US government on 14 December for a failure to be consulted by industry-heavy government advisory groups on trade policy. The case was filed in US District Court in San Francisco by environmental law firm Earthjustice against the US government, including the Office […]
India, Brazil Tie Biodiversity Negotiations To Doha Development Package15/12/2005 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch 2 CommentsHong Kong – At the World Trade Organization ministerial here, India has proposed the launch of negotiations on the disclosure of origin of material in patent applications, and says that if this issue is not addressed, there will be no development package in the outcome of the current round of trade talks at the WTO. […]
International Content Standards Effort Seen As Risky For Digital Rights14/12/2005 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentBy Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch The Digital Video Broadcasting Project (DVB), a Geneva-based body working on international digital television standards, is seeking to reach agreement by mid-2006 on standards for the management of digital content in the broadcasting and Internet arenas. The 270 broadcasters, manufacturers, network operators, software developers and regulatory bodies who […]
