New Reports On TRIPS And Tech Transfer, LDC Needs 14/05/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Two new reports circulated in Geneva this week examine ways to improve technology transfer to least-developed countries (LDCs) as mandated under international intellectual property trade rules, and assessments of the intellectual property needs of LDCs in recent years.
Indigenous Peoples Won’t Be “Wished Away” In Traditional Knowledge Treaty Talks 14/05/2011 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments Colonial history says that indigenous peoples were in the past sometimes asked to sign treaties that may not have been in their best interest or that were not honoured. Now, under the aegis of the United Nations, some indigenous peoples fear it may be happening again, only this time they are fighting to be at the table as the subject is their traditional practices, and the outcome would apply on a global scale.
WIPO Members Tee Up Negotiation On Traditional Knowledge, Cultural Expressions 13/05/2011 by Catherine Saez and William New, Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments World Intellectual Property Organization members this week set the stage for text-based negotiations for an international instrument on the protection of traditional knowledge, folklore and genetic resources.
World Health Assembly To Address Organisational Reform, IP Issues 13/05/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The state of global health and the work of the international organisation in charge of providing leadership in public health matters will be scrutinised at the annual World Health Assembly starting next week.
New Texts In Play In WIPO Traditional Knowledge, Genetic Resources Talks 12/05/2011 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Negotiators trying this week to advance talks for UN World Intellectual Property Organization treaties on traditional knowledge, genetic resources, and folklore have made progress on draft texts, but are facing sharp criticism from indigenous groups and some governments claiming their concerns are being ignored.
Brazil’s Copyright Reform: Are We All Josef K.? 12/05/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch 8 Comments Discussions are heating up as never before on Brazil’s copyright reform, and controversies involving the new administration as well as the collecting society (ECAD)’s alleged wrongdoings are jeopardising the last eight years of Lula’s administration, according to an updated timeline and analysis by Pedro Paranaguá.
Nagoya Protocol: Key Signatories Take It Closer To Goal 12/05/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The protection of genetic resources from misappropriation, institutionalised in October 2010 by the Nagoya Protocol, is getting nearer to realisation as eight new countries ratified the protocol yesterday.
Educational Tools For Seed Treaty Actors 12/05/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The international seed treaty has launched a capacity building campaign under the form of educational modules to help a range of stakeholders better understand the treaty and its implementation.
WIPO Negotiators Work From New Text On Traditional Knowledge 11/05/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment World Intellectual Property Organization delegates negotiating this week for a possible agreement on protection of traditional knowledge have advanced the text from which they are working, according to a copy obtained by Intellectual Property Watch. Meanwhile, the brand-name pharmaceutical industry sought to explain an alleged biopiracy case at a side event at WIPO today.
Reforms Needed To Open WIPO’s Door Wider To Development, Diplomat Says 11/05/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The adoption of a Development Agenda by the General Assembly of the World Intellectual Property Organization three years ago was seen by most as a success for developing countries and a sign that the organisation was assuming its role as a United Nations agency to a fuller extent. However, according to a lead official on Development Agenda implementation, there is still a long way to go and changes are needed.