WIPO Re:Search Webpage Goes Live, Shows Sponsors 25/10/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The webpage of the new Re:Search IP licensing database project at the World Intellectual Property Organization partnered with the BIO Ventures for Global Health foundation is now live, and shows a range of corporate, foundation and academic cosponsors lined up for tomorrow’s launch.
Philippines IP Office: ‘Our Meeting Is Not Fostering Corporate Greed’ 25/10/2011 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The Philippines Intellectual Property Office has issued a statement in response to criticism that an IP enforcement meeting it is hosting this week with numerous corporate representatives “does not favor big corporations.”
US To Seek Bids To Manage Key Aspect Of The Internet 25/10/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment It is often said the internet was created in the United States, though techies around at the time are quick to point out the international efforts that were involved. Since its creation, US management of the internet domain name system has been internationalised through the creation and gradual independence of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). But the US has always kept its hand on one critical aspect of the internet – and is now putting it up for bid.
WIPO Defends Involvement In IP Enforcement Meeting In The Philippines 24/10/2011 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments The World Intellectual Property Organization, a United Nations agency with nearly 200 member states, is under criticism for its connection with a Western industry-heavy event this week in the Philippines aimed at fighting intellectual property counterfeiting and piracy. The concern from technology industry and consumer advocates is that WIPO is involved in an overly one-sided event and did not sufficiently notify its diverse membership or the public of its activities.
WTO IP Committee Addresses Medicines Access, Plain-Packaged Tobacco, ACTA 23/10/2011 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The World Trade Organization committee responsible for intellectual property rights issues is meeting this week and will address several items of potential debate, including a nearly unused 2003 provision for compulsory-licensed medicines exports to poor countries, a WTO member’s attempt to discourage smoking through unlabelled tobacco packaging, and IP enforcement raised by a small but potent group of WTO members who negotiated the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA).
Palestinian Membership In UNESCO Could Raise Questions For US At WIPO 21/10/2011 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Members of the Paris-based United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) are preparing to vote to allow Palestine to become a member, according to sources. If this happens, it could create uncertainty about United States membership in UN agencies, including the World Intellectual Property Organization.
How To Respond To A Cease & Desist Letter 21/10/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments US companies are generally known to be much more litigious than non-US companies. Thus, if you are a non-US company looking to enter the US market, it is prudent to understand the nuances of responding to a cease and desist letter. While cease and desist letters can be upsetting and sometimes confusing, there are a series of steps that companies can take to be better prepared in the event that they do receive one.
UPOV Sprouts A New Public Face – As Farmers Protest 20/10/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment On the occasion of its 50th anniversary, the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) is trying to dispel its image as a non-transparent organisation and is working on a new user-friendly website with public access to a number of formerly reserved documents. Meanwhile, for the first time farmers protested outside the UPOV building in Geneva, as they seek to preserve the ancient practice of saving seeds from their harvests to use the next year.
UPOV Marks 50 Years; Breeders Seek More Enforcement, Civil Society Wants In 20/10/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment This week the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) is celebrating its 50th anniversary. The Union is often criticised by civil society as being opaque, but plant breeders seem reasonably content with the latest version of the convention. However, some breeders that do not rely on seeds to reproduce their plants are seeking a clarification in the convention to prevent illegal use of their protected varieties.
Copyright Infrastructure In The Digital Age: Raising Awareness At WIPO 19/10/2011 by Rachel Marusak Hermann, Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments A global meeting entitled “Enabling Creativity in the Digital Environment: Copyright Documentation and Infrastructure” was held at the World Intellectual Property Organization 13-14 October. Gathering representatives of governments, business leaders, academics, and other stakeholders, the conference was organised in the framework of the Development Agenda Thematic Project on Intellectual Property and the Public Domain.