OECD Holds Ground On Strong IP Internet Policy Principles 30/06/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) today published a communiqué on principles for internet policy-making slanted toward intellectual property enforcement after fending off efforts by public interest groups to soften some of its edges.
OECD Faces Concerns Over Its Internet Policy Principles 28/06/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments A high-level meeting of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) is expected to pass a set of “principles on internet policymaking” tomorrow. But over 80 non-governmental groups have announced they will not sign on to the communiqué.
WIPO Seminar: IP Is Spearhead Of Agricultural Innovation, Solution To Food Shortage 28/06/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The World Intellectual Property Organization recently stepped into the agriculture field with its first seminar on the use of intellectual property to increase productivity. In the seminar, proponents of IP rights defended the value of protection and the necessity of relying on technology to answer the needs of an inflated world population.
Amending Canada’s Access To Medicines Regime (CAMR): The New Fate Of Bill C-393 28/06/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch 4 Comments A Canadian bill to improve global access to medicines might get another shot in the new Parliament, writes Daniele Dionisio.
New FAO Chief Accepts GMOs, Not Seed Monopolies 27/06/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The newly elected head of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization today expressed tolerance for genetically modified crops but not for monopolies on seeds.
WIPO Committee Sees Breakthrough On Audiovisual Treaty After 11-Year Delay 24/06/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 8 Comments An international treaty on the protection of audiovisual performances might be back on track after a hiatus of over 10 years, as World Intellectual Property Organization delegates today reached an agreement on a text and will propose to the WIPO General Assembly to convene a high-level negotiation. A major step was also taken in the direction of a possible treaty on copyright limitations and exceptions for blind and visually impaired people, according to all sides, although some countries are still in favour of a softer instrument.
Special Report: A Quick Summary Of The New US Supreme Court Decisions On Patents 24/06/2011 by Steven Seidenberg for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment For the past ten years, the United States Supreme Court has steadily chipped away at patent rights. But this term, the court abruptly reversed direction. In two weeks, the high court issued rulings in three patent cases, and in every one upheld the legal rights of inventors. It is unclear, however, how big a win this really was for patent rights.
US Patent Reform Advances Furthest In Congress In 10 Years 24/06/2011 by Liza Porteus Viana, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The US House of Representatives this evening passed HR 1249 – the closest action patent reform has come to being enacted into law in the past 10 years. But there were some changes made to the bill.
Twelve More Nations, EU, Sign Nagoya Protocol 24/06/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Twelve more countries and the European Union have signed the Nagoya Protocol on access and benefit sharing of genetic resources.
WIPO Members Advance Draft Texts On Copyright Exceptions, AV Protection 23/06/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment After a week of substantive discussions about potential international instruments on the protection of broadcasting and audiovisual rights, and on providing limitations and exceptions to copyright for visually impaired people, pressure is building at the World Intellectual Property Organization as the end of the negotiating session draws near.