EU Telecom Package To Enter Into Force In December 24/11/2009 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The European Parliament today formally approved an update to European telecommunications rules aimed at enforcing consumer rights and supporting a single European market. But the change might also leave the door open for legislation restricting the internet in member countries and potentially questionable traffic management practice by internet service providers, according to a consumer group.
IPW Chairs IP Law European Summit 24/11/2009 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Intellectual Property Watch Director and Editor-in-Chief William New will chair the IP Law European Summit 2009 being held this week in Montreux, Switzerland. The 25-27 November event will include intellectual property and licensing counsel for companies and groups such as Airbus SAS, Daimler, KPN, Lafarge, L’Oréal, Microsoft, Motion Picture Association, Peugot Citroën, Research in Motion, […]
One (Almost) Happy Multi-stakeholder Family At The Annual Internet Governance Forum 24/11/2009 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment If you don’t count China, it was difficult to find people speaking against an extension of the non-decision-making Internet Governance Forum (IGF) of the United Nations at last week’s gathering. An overwhelming majority of the 1,800 participants at the Egyptian tourist destination Sharm El Sheikh seemed to be in favour of the “multi-stakeholder” discussions taking place during the IGF events because they allow for better understanding on overarching issues like human rights and privacy or access problems in developing countries, but also the specialised problems with the internet infrastructure like internationalised domain names and the next generation internet, IPv6.
Ecuador To Define Its Compulsory Licence Legislation 23/11/2009 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Since Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa signed a decree on 23 October allowing compulsory licences, the national intellectual property office has been working on a mechanism for issuance those licences, which should be studied case by case, according to the national decree.
Time For Human Rights To Enter Into IP Policy Dialogue, Panel Says 23/11/2009 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Ensuring the right to development should become more integral to debates over intellectual property policy, said members of a panel last week. The World Intellectual Property Organization Development Agenda will play a crucial role in ensuring this integration if it happens, they added.
WTO GI Register Draft Report Sees Areas Of Convergence 23/11/2009 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The outgoing chair’s draft report on progress at the World Trade Organization toward establishing a mandated register for geographical indications praises recent work and sees hope for convergence on outstanding issues such as legal effects and participation, according to a copy obtained by Intellectual Property Watch. But it details key differences on the issues that remain.
Delegates Look To April For Consensus On Development Agenda Coordination 20/11/2009 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Informal negotiations appeared to bring the Committee on Development and Intellectual Property within reach of consensus on a coordination mechanism for the Development Agenda early this morning, but this afternoon governments were unable to overcome remaining differences.
WIPO, A (Rare) Profitable UN Agency, Ventures Into World Of Donors 20/11/2009 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The World Intellectual Property Organization has been known to be different from the rest of the United Nations family in that it earns most of its own revenues, and typically operates with a budget surplus. But recognising that it could better meet the needs of its members with additional funds, it now is turning to the international donor community.
Court Date Set For Google Book Case 20/11/2009 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The Google Book settlement received an initial signal of approval by a US court yesterday, according to a book settlement website. A final settlement/fairness hearing should be held on 18 February 2010 before the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, according to a document posted on the Google Book settlement website. […]
WIPO Development Committee Deepens Look At Technology Transfer, Coordination 19/11/2009 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment How to achieve effective technology transfer stirred up discussion this week at the World Intellectual Property Organization Committee on Development and IP (CDIP). Meanwhile, members are conducting informal negotiations to bridge differences over what kind of mechanism is needed to coordinate the Development Agenda as a whole.