WIPO Development Agenda Talks End With No Agreement For Now30/06/2006 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 CommentBy William New and Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen After two week-long meetings and intensive consultations during the year, talks on bolstering the development perspective of the World Intellectual Property Organization ended today with no agreement, sending proposals back to the UN body’s annual meeting of member states in September. But a continuation of the debate […]
WIPO Development Agenda Negotiation Hits Rocks29/06/2006 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentNegotiations for the infusion of a stronger development mandate into the work of the World Intellectual Property Organization may have hit a wall today after key proponent governments called for an end to talks to protest unfair treatment of their proposals. If over for now, the issue would be passed to the WIPO General Assembly, […]
WIPO Members To Seek Agreement On Development Agenda24/06/2006 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentAs they head into the final scheduled meeting of the year on a proposed development-oriented reform of the World Intellectual Property Organization, member governments are looking for agreement on how to proceed – this week and in the future. Officials interviewed on 23 June revealed that deep divisions remain heading into the 26-30 June meeting […]
WIPO Members Greet New Cabinet As Some Seek Better Regional Presence; Idris End Date Unclear23/06/2006 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentThe World Intellectual Property Organization Coordination Committee this week welcomed new appointees to the highest policy echelons of WIPO, but some governments added calls for broader regional representation in the organisation. In addition, a question remains as to whether WIPO Director General Kamil Idris must step down in 2009. Of the four newly named deputy […]
WHO Intergovernmental Working Group On IP Ready “In Days”23/06/2006 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentAn intergovernmental working group on intellectual property rights mandated by the May World Health Assembly is expected to be set up “in the next few days,” according to World Health Organization sources. The WHA resolution adopted in May called for the committee to be created “immediately,” and supporters are getting eager to see the issue […]
EU Flags Geographical Indications In WTO Trade Talks Paper22/06/2006 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentIn a new European Union communication to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in the ongoing agriculture negotiations, the EU has moved its call for higher intellectual property rights protection for product names deriving from geographical locations to the top of its list of demands. At issue is Europe’s wish to better protect its geographical indications […]
India, Brazil Explain Need For TRIPS Biodiversity Amendment; Plus Interview With Alan Oxley22/06/2006 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentIndia, Brazil and other countries are calling for an amendment to the 1994 World Trade Organization Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) [WTO document WT/GC/W/564Rev.1] to help countries to better protect their biological resources and traditional knowledge that appear in patent applications. The proposal for a TRIPS Article 29bis is under debate […]
World Bank Report Urges Caution In Adopting Plant Breeding IP Policy21/06/2006 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentDeveloping countries should use international law on plant breeding but not necessarily sign up to binding conventions as they could have a negative impact, argues a new World Bank-commissioned report presented at a joint event on 20 June at the World Trade Organization. The report was authored by Niels Louwaars of the Centre for Genetic […]
WIPO Members To Approve Senior Appointments; Remove Retirement Deal19/06/2006 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentMember governments of the World Intellectual Property Organization who act in a coordinating capacity for the UN body today indicated acceptance of the officials proposed by the WIPO director general to act as his cabinet for the next three years, according to sources. But the governments rejected a proposal to give the appointees a WIPO […]
WTO Geographical Indications Discussion Moves To Higher Level16/06/2006 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentWhile there was little movement at a World Trade Organization meeting (WTO) on intellectual property rules this week, one of the IP issues in the current round of trade talks has been elevated to a consultation of ambassador-level officials under special invitation, sources said. The IP issue is geographical indications (GIs) and a proposal to […]
