New Deputy US Trademark Commissioner 16/06/2011 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) today announced the appointment of a new deputy commissioner for trademarks, with oversight of examination and processing of applications.
EFF: Judge Dismisses Copyright “Troll” Case 15/06/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment A US judge ruled yesterday that copyright “troll” Righthaven lacked legal authorisation to bring an infringement lawsuit because it did not have ownership of the copyright in question, according to the Electronic Frontier Foundation. The case could have an impact on the future prospects of so-called copyright troll cases, EFF said.
An Urgent Letter From Intellectual Property Watch 15/06/2011 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments It’s time to show your support for Intellectual Property Watch – right now, before it’s too late.
Possible Treaties Brewing At WIPO Committee On Copyright 14/06/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments Potential international legal instruments will be discussed this week at the World Intellectual Property Organization where delegates will try to find common language to address the protection of audiovisual performances, the protection of broadcasting organisations and agree on a set of exceptions and limitations to copyright for visually impaired people.
Time For A Positive Agenda, WIPO’s Gurry Tells Copyright Crowd 13/06/2011 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment In remarks that have raised questions among libraries and the information technology industry, World Intellectual Property Organization Director General Francis last week told a copyright industry gathering that it is time to move away from a “negative” agenda of limitations and exceptions to copyright. It may also be a time for more private-sector involvement in international policymaking, he said.
New Director For CISAC 13/06/2011 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC), which claims representation of 3 million creators and publishers, has named a new director general. Interestingly, he comes from a career in broadcasting.
New Brussels Lobbying Group Communia Works For A Stronger Public Domain 13/06/2011 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch and William New 2 Comments A new association is being launched this week in Brussels with the mission to promote the digital public domain. The move comes in the face of heavy lobbying for stronger copyright protection.
Targets, TRIPS Flexibilities In UN HIV Meeting Declaration; Brazil’s Health Minister Hails Outcome 10/06/2011 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment NEW YORK – The declaration from the United Nations High-Level Meeting on AIDS, which concluded today, set targets for responding to the disease and contained clear references to flexibilities to intellectual property law intended to assure needed medicines can be obtained affordably, according to Brazil’s health minister.
WIPO Issues Call For Papers On Evaluation Of IP And Development 09/06/2011 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The 2007 World Intellectual Property Organization Development Agenda instituted an evaluation process at the UN agency, and now WIPO is seeking best practices for evaluating the impact of intellectual property rights on development. The WIPO Evaluation Section has issued a call for papers for a seminar to be held in October.
Pakistan: Anti-Terror Crackdown Brings IPR Relief To Mobile Phone Brands 09/06/2011 by Shahzada Irfan Ahmed for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment A recent drive against the use of mobile phones without valid International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers in terrorism-struck Pakistan has given respite to established brands and authorised dealers. The proliferation of copied and smuggled cell phones in the country, with little intellectual property rights enforcement, had resulted in a decrease in their sales volumes, industry representatives said. In addition, the government is moving to restore an intellectual property law that industry thinks could help its efforts.