Veto Power For Governments Against Any Internet Domain Name? 08/02/2011 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch 4 Comments The United States Department of Commerce National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is proposing possible veto power for governments against applications for new top-level domains. NTIA is asking for a change to domain name system management that would allow governments to object to any proposed internet address for any reason, which has not surprisingly stirred debate among some observers, including in Europe.
Would Canada-EU Trade Proposals Add $2.8 Billion Price Tag To Drugs Bill? 08/02/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment A study by the Canadian Generic Pharmaceuticals Association (CGPA) suggests that the European Union’s (EU) proposed changes to Canada’s patent system could add nearly $3 billion to Canada’s prescription drug bill.
Brazil’s Copyright Reform: Schizophrenia? 08/02/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch 26 Comments Pedro Paranaguá writes: Brazil’s new Minister of Culture is under severe pressure from civil society groups, academics and some artists. After just a few weeks in power, Minister Ana de Hollanda issued an order to take the Creative Commons license off the Ministry’s website. Why is that a problem?
US IP Enforcement Coordinator Issues Annual Report 07/02/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The United States Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator today issued an annual report on IP enforcement. One year after her appointment, Coordinator Victoria Espinel claimed significant progress on the plan for the office set up to coordinate IP enforcement activities across various US government agencies.
WIPO Survey On Patent Filing Strategies Shows Rise In Optimism 07/02/2011 by Tavengwa Runyowa for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A recent economic survey by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) assessed the expected growth in domestic and international patent filings in 2010 compared to 2009. The highest expected growth rates were reported in Asian countries, with modest and declining growth reported in Europe and the United States respectively.
New Biodiversity Benefit-Sharing Protocol Relies On National Rules, Experts Say 07/02/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment PARIS – The recently agreed international instrument to facilitate access to genetic resources and the equitable sharing of benefits accrued from those resources opened for signature last week, and the text is already getting mixed reviews from stakeholders.
Nations Begin Signing Protocol On Biodiversity Access And Benefit-Sharing 07/02/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments Four developing countries have signed a recently completed international agreement on access to genetic resources and the fair retribution of benefits accrued from those resources. The protocol opened for signature in New York last week and efforts are underway to set up an information clearinghouse.
L’ACTA ne serait pas conforme au droit communautaire 07/02/2011 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Un groupe d’experts en droit de la propriété intellectuelle, issus d’universités allemandes, britanniques, néerlandaises, françaises et espagnoles, a conclu que l’Accord Commercial Relatif à la Contrefaçon (plus connu sous le sigle anglais ACTA) récemment finalisé n’est pas entièrement conforme au droit communautaire et qu’il va au-delà du droit international sur certains aspects.
US Senate Patent Reform Steps Forward 04/02/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The United States Senate Judiciary Committee yesterday approved a slightly amended version of the Patent Reform Act of 2011.
Panel: Seek Innovative Solutions Vs. Counterfeiting; Oxfam Warns Against False Solution 04/02/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment PARIS – The rise of counterfeiting and global economic difficulties combined to sap resources devoted to intellectual property enforcement, said panellists at an event highlighting the fight against counterfeiting and piracy yesterday, and discussed innovative solutions. Meanwhile a civil society group said enforcement of IP rights is a false solution to substandard medicines.