WIPO Work Likely To Continue On Traditional Knowledge, But How? 30/06/2009 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments An intergovernmental committee considering ways to protect kinds of knowledge that predate – and may not fit into – the current intellectual property system picked up this week after a chaotic round of negotiations failed to make any progress at the last meeting. Meanwhile, some indigenous groups, in whose traditions rest much of this knowledge, continue a push for stronger representation at the committee.
King Of Pop’s Leanings Patented 30/06/2009 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment In addition to writing catchy pop-tunes and executing gravity-defying dance moves, the late Michael Jackson apparently had an inventive streak. It has come to light that the singer holds a patent on shoes that help create “an impressive visual effect” in one of his famous dance moves. The patent on a “system for […]
Former US Official To Launch Networking “Platform” In Geneva 30/06/2009 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Alicia Greenidge, until recently director general of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA), plans to launch a new platform in Geneva to “build relationships between developing countries, governments, organisations and industries,” according to a press release from IFPMA[pdf]. No other details about the new project appear to be available, and Greenidge did […]
South African Authors Seek First Public Lending Right In A Developing Country 29/06/2009 by Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment South Africa could become the first developing country to permit authors to be paid when libraries lend their books if an authors’ group gets it way, but the proposal is likely to spur strong opposition from access-to-knowledge advocates and libraries.
WHO R&D Financing Group To Parse New Ideas, Look For Ways Forward 29/06/2009 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Perhaps the single most critical issue to resolve in addressing neglected diseases is how to ensure there is money to pay for research and clinical trials, even when the consumer demand is small and its constituents poor. A group of experts under the auspices of the World Health Organization this week is attempting to address the problem.
Prevent Patents Inhibiting Knowledge Diffusion For Green Technology, EU Told 26/06/2009 by David Cronin for Intellectual Property Watch 4 Comments Stringent intellectual property rules could hamper the spread of technology needed to fight climate change, an advisor to European Union policy-makers has warned.
Leadership Changes At Free Software Foundation Europe 25/06/2009 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE), a high-impact nonprofit organisation focussed on access to software in the broader scope of participation in the digital society, this week named named new leadership for the first time in nearly a decade since its inception.
La crise financière présente des opportunités et des risques pour l’innovation verte 25/06/2009 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment LAUSANNE – « Rien ne vaut une bonne crise », si l’on en croit la sagesse populaire. Voilà une formule que les décideurs pourraient reprendre pour inciter le monde à adopter une économie plus verte et davantage fondée sur la connaissance. Telle est la conclusion à laquelle a abouti un groupe de discussion à l’École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EFPL) le 18 juin. La crise financière actuelle et l’éveil des consciences vis-à-vis de la crise écologique sont l’opportunité unique pour l’innovation, notamment l’innovation verte, de prendre les devants de l’économie du futur.
世界海关组织考虑设立新的反假冒伪劣“对话机制” 25/06/2009 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment 本周，世界海关组织将努力达成协议，就反假冒伪劣和剽窃问题成立一个软化的工作组，代替以前的工作组，以便可以化解人们有关海关官员手伸得太长的关切。它还将考虑通过一项建议，在执法活动中把重点明确放到公共卫生和安全方面。
WHO Or Who Should Guarantee The Right To Health? 24/06/2009 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment With implementation of the World Health Organization strategy on intellectual property and innovation beginning in earnest, international experts this week debated how human rights could be infused into global health strategies – including the possibility of new international agreements on research and development – and whether WHO is up to the task.