UPOV Future Work To Include Global Policy Challenges31/10/2008 by Kaitlin Mara, Intellectual Property Watch 1 CommentBy Kaitlin Mara Against the background of increasing food prices and related questions of food security and agricultural sustainability, the new secretary general of an international organisation protecting plant varieties outlined his future plans for the UN body. Francis Gurry, who is also the director general of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), was officially […]
Participants Ready Agendas For New-Look WIPO Copyright Committee31/10/2008 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentBy William New World Intellectual Property Organization members gather in Geneva next week to take up old and new agenda items targeting international policy on copyright and related rights. Emerging agenda items are limitations and exceptions to copyright – including a possible proposed treaty on access for the visually impaired, and possibly artists’ resale rights, […]
WIPO Negotiations Threaten Exclusive “Signal-Based” Protection In Broadcasting30/10/2008 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentThe various aspects of the application of copyright and neighbouring rights in the digital age have been discussed under the aegis of World Trade Organization (WTO), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). As a United Nations (UN) agency responsible for the promotion and protection of intellectual property […]
Google Books Settlement A Possible Path To Resolution Of Digital Content Disputes30/10/2008 by Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch 3 CommentsBy Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch Google’s groundbreaking settlement of copyright infringement claims by authors and book publishers this week resonates beyond the United States, the European Commission and a UK copyright lawyer said. While the agreement affects only US users of Google Book Search, it points the way toward possible solutions to the […]
Push Continues For TRIPS Biodiversity Amendment, Geographical Indications Extension30/10/2008 by Kaitlin Mara, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentBy Kaitlin Mara The push to amend the World Trade Organization agreement on intellectual property rights has not receded, as made clear this week by proponents of wider protection for geographical indications and using the patent system to safeguard biodiversity and traditional knowledge. But opponents remain steadfast. Meanwhile, the search is on for a new […]
WIPO Pitches Proposed Programme Of Strategic Realignment29/10/2008 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 CommentBy William New A few weeks after its new director general took office, the World Intellectual Property Organization has announced a programme of strategic realignment in the secretariat aimed at opening up the organisation and improving the focus on customer service. The plan includes creating 22 new posts, making permanent some 30 other contract employees, […]
In-Depth Interview With WIPO Director General Francis Gurry28/10/2008 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentFrancis Gurry became the fourth director general of the World Intellectual Property Organization on 1 October. Gurry, an Australian, is a 23-year veteran of WIPO, most recently deputy director general in charge patents, the Patent Cooperation Treaty, the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Centre and global IP issues. His full biography is here.Intellectual Property Watch sat down with Gurry in his office this month to ask about changes at the organisation and the future of the IP system, differences from predecessors, development, open source, and his personal management style.
Improbable Match: Open Licences And Collecting Societies In Europe28/10/2008 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 2 CommentsBy Catherine Saez A French musical group has signed a contract with French collecting society Sacem allowing the exclusion of the group’s internet rights that some claim opens a door to a new model where authors could manage their internet rights while the collecting society administers all other rights related to the use of the […]
Blind Readers Seek Guarantee Of Access Under EU Copyright Law27/10/2008 by David Cronin for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentBy David Cronin for Intellectual Property Watch BRUSSELS – Exceptions to European Union copyright rules designed to allow blind people access to publications should be made legally binding, according to disability rights organisations. In July, the European Commission opened a public consultation exercise on whether a central piece of EU law on intellectual property needs […]
New Arab Group Aims At Protecting Local Products With Geographical Origins27/10/2008 by Wagdy Sawahel for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentBy Wagdy Sawahel for Intellectual Property Watch In a bid to harness the significant value of geographical indications to the economies of the 22 member states of the Arab League, an Arab Society for Geographical Indications (ASGI) has been proposed. This was announced by Talal Abu-Ghazaleh, president of the private-sector Arab Society for Intellectual Property […]
