Under Scrutiny, WHO, Pharma Seek To Explain “Dangerous Nonsense” Of Pandemic 26/01/2010 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments Representatives of the World Health Organization and the European pharmaceutical industry today answered questions from the Council of Europe and the press on whether they had mishandled an outbreak of influenza this summer.
2010 US Industry Group Priorities: Patent Reform, USPTO Funds, Genes, Green Tech 26/01/2010 by Liza Porteus Viana, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Along with a domestic agenda that includes patent reform and improving the efficiency of the US Patent and Trademark Office, the American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA) this year also is eyeing issues at the international level, such as genetic resources, environmental technologies and international patent harmonisation.
再论中国涉及专利的国家标准制修订管理规定草案 26/01/2010 by Inside Views, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment 中国国家标准化管理委员会曾在2004年公布了一份有关专利政策的法规草案，遭到世界各国众多组织提出的批评，最终未能实施。去年11月2日，国家标准化管理委员会公布了《涉及专利的国家标准制修订管理规定（暂行）（征求意见稿）》”（以下简称“专利政策草案”） ，并征求公众意见 。对此全球各政府机构、公司及民间利益团体提交了大量的意见书。其中大多数意见表达了一个共同的观点：该专利政策草案低估了专利权人在标准制定活动中作出的贡献和可能发挥的作用，甚至会抑制他们为国家标准贡献创新性解决方案和技术。
WHO Lashes Out As Council Of Europe Preps Hearing On Flu Pandemic 25/01/2010 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch 7 Comments The World Health Organization today defended its declaration of a global influenza pandemic, and saying any allegations that it is fake are “wrong and irresponsible.” The statement comes as the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) prepares for a public hearing tomorrow morning in Strasbourg to examine the allegations, involving representatives of the WHO and European vaccine manufacturers will be in attendance, as will independent medical experts.
Biodiversity ‘EcoChic’ At UN: “Organic, Fair Trade, And Damn Sexy” 22/01/2010 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch 4 Comments Biodiversity preservation is getting a makeover, or so hope the organisers of an “EcoChic” event at the Palais de Nations yesterday. Attendees strategised about how the fickle spirit of fashion might be harnessed to support the UN Convention on Biological Diversity’s access and benefit-sharing regime and sustainability goals, as staff carefully anchored helium-filled white lanterns above a normally staid conference chamber and participants balanced on noticeably higher heels than normally seen in UN corridors.
Film Industry Head Glickman Leaves To Head Refugee Organisation 22/01/2010 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Motion Picture Association of America head Dan Glickman is moving from protecting intellectual property rights to protecting the rights of displaced people worldwide. Glickman announced today he will leave his position as chairman and CEO of the MPAA on 1 April. Glickman will make the leap to become president of Refugees International, an advocacy organisation […]
EU Okays Proprietary Oracle’s Acquisition Of Open Source MySQL 21/01/2010 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment US-based software company Oracle can have its Sun and MySQL too, the European Commission ruled today. The subject of an examination since September 2009, the Oracle-Sun merger deal came under scrutiny over anti-competition concerns.
Year Ahead: Range Of IP Policy Issues May See Action In United States In 2010 21/01/2010 by Liza Porteus Viana, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment With the United States Congress attempting to wrap up healthcare – a move made more difficult after a Republican won a traditionally Democratic US Senate seat in January – issues such as tax increases for the nation’s largest financial institutions, energy reform and others may take centre stage. But that’s not to say there is not some room for intellectual property issues to be considered. Upcoming issues may include patent reform, biologic drugs, internet neutrality, enforcement, and performance rights.
Year Ahead: Stronger Protection, Harmonisation Among Goals For Trademarks And GIs In 2010 21/01/2010 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Enforcement of rights and a global harmonisation of systems look to be among the focal points of trademark and geographical indications policy in 2010. Significant activity will occur in these areas in Europe. But whether it is the setting up of a database for trademark registration, amendments to the Lisbon Treaty on the Protection of Appellation of Origin, or the evaluation of the European trademark system, efforts to improve current tools are showing at national and international levels.
United States Moves To Promote Internet Freedom, ‘Knowledge Commons’ 20/01/2010 by Sharon McLoone for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The United States is working to become a master at empowering its residents and others through networked technology while it navigates the murky areas of international policy and law.