EU Patent Advances: Parliament Could Vote In February, Court Location Still Up In Air 22/12/2011 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The European Parliament Legal Affairs Committee approval this week of a single patent for participating European Union members sets the stage for a February plenary vote in Parliament. But members’ inability to agree on where to locate the new unified patent litigation court means the Polish presidency won’t get to see finalisation of the process that will now head into 2012 under the guidance of Denmark.
International Publishers Demand Egyptian Government Stop Attacks 22/12/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The Geneva-based International Publishers Association today joined organisations demanding that the interim Egyptian government stop attacks on an Egyptian publisher, and uphold the internationally recognised right to freedom of opinion and expression, and freedom of assembly and association.
Last Parliament Standing: Europe Final Stronghold Of ACTA Critics 21/12/2011 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch 6 Comments With a recent decision by the Agriculture and Fishery Council of the European Union, the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) seems to have made a big leap forward. And with recent breakthroughs in other countries, ACTA’s final hurdle may be in the European parliaments.
IP Experts Focus On 3-Step Test In Copyright, Discuss Way Forward 21/12/2011 by Rachel Marusak Hermann, Intellectual Property Watch 4 Comments Although intellectual property issues did not play a big role in the Eighth World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference, some international stakeholders took advantage of the global gathering to meet, discuss and debate the 3-step test in copyright, a key topic in IP today. The discussion included a call for a WTO declaration on the 3-step test.
USTR Releases List Of Possibly IP Infringing Markets 20/12/2011 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The United States Trade Representative’s office today released its second report in a year on markets it has labeled “notorious” based on unofficial comments it has received. The report identifies physical and internet-based marketplaces around the world that may be hotbeds for the sale of intellectual property infringing goods.
WIPO Reports Uptick In IP Filings In 2010 20/12/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The World Intellectual Property Organization today released a report showing global filings for patents and trademarks turned upward in 2010. But there were some variations across the map.
Special Report – US IP Attachés Report On Strategies Abroad 20/12/2011 by Liza Porteus Viana, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment WASHINGTON, DC – American intellectual property attachés serving abroad have helped propel global discussions on intellectual property rights and have helped protect inventors’ rights amidst a “global flat economy,” but enforcement remains a difficult challenge in many parts of the world, attachés said at a recent event gathering them back home. The officials highlighted strategies for the coming year in the top emerging economies.
As Multilateralism Comes Into Question, WTO Trade Ministers Extend Deadlines 19/12/2011 by Rachel Marusak Hermann, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment With the negotiations of the Doha Development Agenda formally recognised to be at a standstill, not much was expected from the World Trade Organization’s Eighth Ministerial Conference. There were no surprises at the meeting close as conference Chairman Olusegun Olutoyin Aganga gavelled through the seven matters that were set before the trade ministers.
GIs A Candidate For The Exclusive Club Of Appellations Of Origin At WIPO 19/12/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment World Intellectual Property Organization members last week debated a possible new instrument to protect products with specific origins and characteristics.
Russia’s WTO Accession Hailed As Sign Of Commitment To Multilateralism 16/12/2011 by Rachel Marusak Hermann, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The World Trade Organization formally approved Russia’s bid to join the trade body today. The agreement concludes 18 years of negotiations and is seen as a one of the major successes of the WTO’s Eighth Ministerial Conference being held from 15-17 December.