CBO: Generics Bill Would Save US $4.8 Billion 09/11/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The US Congressional Budget Office has estimated that a current bill to prevent brand-name pharmaceutical companies from paying generic producers to delay the release of generic drugs into the market could save the US budget some $4.8 billion over 10 years. The bill would treat “pay-for-delay” arrangements as illegal and would give the authority to […]
The Mad Hatter In Wonderland: South Africa’s New TK Bill 08/11/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch 9 Comments So, the Department of Trade and Industry (“DTI”) has finally gone ahead and done it. It has caused the South African Government to pass the Intellectual Property Laws Amendment Bill (the so-called “Traditional Knowledge Bill”) despite vociferous objections from all quarters. It has rushed headlong into terrain where no angel would venture through acute trepidation. It has entered Wonderland and assumed the role of the Mad Hatter, writes Professor Owen Dean.
Medicines Patent Pool Responds To Critics Of Gilead Licence 08/11/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The Medicines Patent Pool, which aims to increase access to affordable, high-quality medicines for HIV/AIDS patients in low and middle income countries, has issued a response to concerns about its recent deal with a large pharmaceutical company.
In Egypt, Director Of Famed Library Of Alexandria Under Fire 06/11/2011 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 42 Comments The director of the legendary Library of Alexandria, lauded in Europe in recent weeks, has come under attack from the majority of his library staff and others demanding his departure over questions of unprofessional employee practices, alleged retaliation against workers for speaking freely, and for his affiliation with the outcast Mubarak regime.
US Secretary Clinton: No Contradiction In Online Enforcement, Free Speech 05/11/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is undertaking to explain the apparent contradiction in the strong enforcement of intellectual property rights and efforts to ensure freedom of expression on the internet. And she said the State Department will keep saying it in the future.
WHO Board Backs Reform Plan For UN Agency 04/11/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The UN World Health Organization Executive Board today approved a set of proposals for reform put forward by WHO Director General Margaret Chan and member states, authorising her to take immediate action. The WHO is undergoing a major reform process fueled by a funding shortage and changes in the global public health structure.
Competing Industry Reports Show Economic Contributions Of Copyright, Fair Use 03/11/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Trade associations from various copyright-intensive industries have released a report showing they account for nearly $1 trillion in value to the United States economy, and provide some 5 million jobs.
US Patent Commissioner Stoll To Retire; Deputy Focarino To Step Up 02/11/2011 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Robert Stoll, the Commissioner for Patents at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), has announced his retirement on 31 December 2011. Deputy Commissioner for Patents Margaret “Peggy” Focarino will be nominated to replace him, USPTO said today.
Amid Global Effort To Fill Internet Policy Gaps, India Proposes New UN Body 02/11/2011 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment India has stirred some discussion with its recent proposal to create a new United Nations body for global internet-related policies. The proposal comes within the context of efforts by developed countries to build support for an open internet and by the UN to address gaps in global internet governance and increased unilateral moves to block content online.
USPTO, Small Businesses Talk Patent Reform, Harmonisation, Fee Diversion 02/11/2011 by Liza Porteus Viana, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is working to ensure small businesses and independent inventors have the tools they need to obtain, protect and enforce their patents overseas, as well as domestically, in the wake of patent reform legislation enacted in the United States. Meanwhile, the office is also stepping up global patent harmonisation efforts.