IP & Traditional Cultural Expressions: An Unnatural Alliance? 05/01/2011 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Incorporating traditional cultural expressions into an intellectual property system will be an uphill battle, warned a panellist at a recent side event at the World Intellectual Property Organization. But, argued another, it could be one of the best ways for indigenous communities to benefit from their knowledge.
IP-Watch In Podcast On Patent Trolls + IP And Development 05/01/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Intellectual Property Watch Director and Editor-in-Chief William New recently participated in a podcast discussing IP and development, particularly at WIPO, and the latest on patent trolls around the world.
New Guide To TRIPS Health Provisions In FTAs 05/01/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment A new policy guide has been released that analyzes the public health effects of intellectual property rights provisions in bilateral trade agreements. The guide has a special focus on the Eastern Mediterranean region.
Patent On AIDS Medicine Denied In India; Seen Unlocking Market 04/01/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments A decision by the Indian Patent Office to reject a patent on an AIDS drug last week has drawn acclaim from civil society and Indian generic pharmaceutical industries. The decision was not based on a controversial article of Indian law aimed at preventing patent extensions but rather on the grounds of non-inventiveness. Abbott Laboratories, meanwhile, presented Intellectual Property Watch with justification for its Indian patent request.
Net Censorship Fears As Hungary Takes EU Presidency 03/01/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment An internet civil liberties group in Hungary has warned that the country’s new media law gives the government censorship authority, threatening freedom of speech and independent journalism. The law took effect on 1 January – at the same time Hungary assumed the six-month presidency of the European Union, raising fears of EU level spread of such policies.
Drug R&D Advocate Named Kenyan Ambassador To UN Geneva 03/01/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment An official who is has been an active voice in access to medicines policymaking in Geneva has taken over as the new permanent representative of Kenya to the United Nations Office at Geneva.
New Leadership At INTA 03/01/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The International Trademark Association today announced the appointment of its 2011 president, the first INTA president from a non-English speaking country.