US Arrests 16 Alleged Hackers Defending Wikileaks 20/07/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A major action was announced today by the United States Justice Department as it arrested 16 people and executed 35 search warrants for alleged hackers mostly said to be involved in retaliation by the group Anonymous against PayPal for blocking payments to Wikileaks after it released a large number of classified documents late last year. Five arrests were also made in Europe.
WIPO Takes A Shot At ICANN’s Domain Dispute Reform 19/07/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The official responsible for the staid World Intellectual Property Organization internet domain dispute resolution procedures has again come out strongly against efforts by another international body to reform those dispute procedures.
Kenya Opens Region’s Door To GM Maize 19/07/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment In the face of a severe food shortage, Kenya’s Cabinet has approved imports of genetically modified maize, though it has drawn the line on use of GM maize as seeds, a regional newspaper reports.
US Chamber Urges Highest IP Standards In Trans-Pacific Trade Pact 19/07/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The largest United States industry association continues to push for the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement (TPP) to be the model of the highest intellectual property rights standards of any US agreement, matching the US-Korea free trade agreement.
Decisive Week Ahead For Protection Of Traditional Knowledge, Genetic Resources 15/07/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment World Intellectual Property Organization member countries next week will work on draft negotiating texts on the protection of genetic resources, traditional knowledge and folklore. New recommendations by a set of developing countries are calling for a diplomatic conference in 2013, and to extend the work of the committee in charge of reaching an international instrument, as its mandate ends this year.
Interview With Chief Judge Paul R. Michel On US Patent Reform 14/07/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch 7 Comments Chief Judge Paul R. Michel (Ret.), of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, saw hundreds of patent cases during his distinguished career and has a unique position from which to view and offer advice on efforts in the US Senate and House of Representatives to agree on changes to domestic patent law. Intellectual Property Watch recently had the opportunity to interview Judge Michel on prospects for substantive patent reform in the US, the effect on future cases involving domestic and foreign patents, likely constitutional challenges, and the “non-problem” of non-practicing entities.
Neglected Diseases R&D Financing Proposals Shaping Up At WHO 14/07/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Global public health experts in charge of exploring ways to finance R&D on diseases endemic in developing countries last week provided a preliminary summary of assessments on proposals provided by various stakeholders. They also made recommendations to establish global mechanisms, including a binding global instrument for R&D and innovation for health.
EU Commission Reports On IPR-Infringing Goods Detained By Customs 14/07/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The European Commission today presented its annual report on customs activities related to intellectual property rights (IPR) infringing goods, finding sharp increases in some areas and leading to calls for new enforcement measures.
WHO Enters Next Phase Of Global Plan To Increase Flu Vaccine Production 14/07/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The World Health Organization will be entering a new phase of its global action plan for influenza vaccines, a WHO representative told reporters today. The goals of the first phase of the programme should be furthered but with more attention given to the local health and policy environment, WHO said.
WIPO, The ‘Sleeping Beauty’ Of Climate Change Policy, Urged To Awaken 14/07/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The World Intellectual Property Organization has taken its first public steps in the climate change debate by holding a conference on the subject this week. The organisation’s expertise in intellectual property policy and technology transfer is being sought by several other actors in the field, in particular the United Nations climate change agency.