WIPO Members To Work Toward Treaty On Folklore, Traditional Knowledge, Genetic Resources 06/05/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Building on recent momentum that has produced negotiating texts towards an international instrument to protect folklore, traditional knowledge and genetic resources, delegates to the World Intellectual Property Organization next week will try to clean the texts that still bear signs of division.
USPTO Director Kappos Outlines A Pro-Active, Value-Driven Patent Office 06/05/2011 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment NEW YORK – The United States Patent and Trademark Office is operating at a “higher level” these days, trying to look beyond patent numbers to patent quality and value, USPTO Director David Kappos told a group of licensing executives yesterday.
Trading’s End: Is ACTA The Leading Edge Of A Protectionist Wave? 06/05/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch 4 Comments Government policymakers are stalling on trade liberalization while erecting new nontransparent trade barriers, writes Frederick Abbott.
TRIPS Amendments Needed To Restore Balance In IP, Researchers Say 06/05/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Current global intellectual property obligations are seen by some as favouring rights holders to the detriment of the public interest, and a series of amendments to international rules on trade and IP could address this, says a new book from a respected European think tank.
WIPO Members Renew Debate Over Development Agenda Implementation, Coordination 04/05/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment A debate has arisen this week among World Intellectual Property Organization members over a WIPO secretariat report on implementation of the 2007 Development Agenda, which was intended to infuse a stronger development dimension into the UN agency’s activities.
World Health Ministers Pledge To Fight Non-Communicable Diseases 04/05/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A pledge against the spread of cancer, diabetes, heart disease and other noncommunicable diseases was made last week by health ministers adopting a “Moscow Declaration” to prevent, and treat such illnesses.
Consumers’ Rights Still Not On Equal Footing With Copyright Owners’, Study Finds 03/05/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The newly published third annual Consumers International IP Watchlist shows that most countries offer weak support for consumer interests in access to knowledge and the global copyright system seems ill-equipped to respond to the new consumer creativity evolving on internet. However, the study found that some countries are demonstrating good practices when it comes to consumers.
EU Announces €600M Euro Plan For ‘Internet Of The Future’ 03/05/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment With the internet moving beyond connected computers to a new world of mobile-connected machines and objects, it is time to make the internet more capable of handling future data-streams, with increased accuracy, resiliency, and safety, the European Commission said today. In response, the Commission committed €300 million euros over 5 years, to be matched by European research, public sector and industry contributions, for innovation and helping European businesses and government find new internet solutions.
WIPO Internal Audit Division Seeks Consultants To Assess IP In Kenya 02/05/2011 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The World Intellectual Property Organization Internal Audit and Oversight Division is seeking expressions of interest from consultants to conduct an evaluation and analysis of Kenya’s performance with intellectual property rights during the years 2005 to 2010. The study aims to help WIPO members to assess the effect of the UN agency’s work in the country during that time, and to boost learning and accountability.
WHO Calls For Proposals To Finance R&D For Diseases Affecting Developing World 02/05/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A call for proposals was launched today by the World Health Organization expert group in charge of making recommendations on ways to encourage and finance research and development for diseases that mostly affect developing countries.