New Internet Domain Process Off To Smooth Start, ICANN Says 31/01/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments The initial application period for the expansion of new generic top-level domains on the internet is going well after the first couple of weeks, but it is too soon to put the armoury of intellectual property protections to the test, the head of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) said today.
European Commission Orders Italy To Drop Patent Linkage Delaying Generics 31/01/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The European Commission has issued a formal request to Italy to remove linkage between patents and generic medicines authorisation that it says is causing delays in generics reaching the market.
Geographical Indications Register Gains Ground Outside WTO 30/01/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A private sector-led effort to compile a global register of geographical indications is gaining support, topped by a sizeable donation from the Italian government. The effort is being undertaken outside the World Trade Organization in spite of an agreed – but long stalled – mandate at WTO to create a register.
“Politics Of Intellectual Property” Looks At The National Level 30/01/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A much-referenced book now out in paperback remains one of the few books with a broad social sciences perspective on current conflicts over intellectual property policy, with a focus on the national level set within the context of shifting global patterns.
WHO, Gates, Industry And NGO Leaders Elevate Attention To Neglected Diseases 30/01/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment A range of some of the world’s top public and private partners in public health today announced an “unprecedented” level of cooperation to fight diseases primarily afflicting poorest populations worldwide for which there is insufficient research and development and inadequate health systems. But how the initiative will tie in with governments’ efforts at the World Health Organization to craft a global framework to address these issues remains to be seen.
WHO Board Plan For Fake Medicines Mechanism Excludes Trade And IP 28/01/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The World Health Organization Executive Board this week agreed to propose to the May World Health Assembly the establishment of a mechanism for international collaboration on counterfeit and substandard medical products, but with the exclusion of trade and intellectual property issues.
World Economic Forum ‘Cyber Resilience’ Initiative Includes IP Protection 27/01/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The World Economic Forum annual gathering of private sector leaders today released a “Cyber Resilience Initiative to Safeguard the Digital Environment” that includes a commitment to protect intellectual property rights online.
Most EU Members Sign ACTA; SOPA-Style Protests Building 27/01/2012 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment While most of the 27 member states of the European Union signed the much-debated Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) yesterday in Tokyo, joining the United States, Japan and other ACTA partners, hackers brought down the website of the European Parliament, and a key official stepped down. This may be only the beginning of the protests and petitioning.
Officials, Industry Discuss IPR In Relation To Economy And Society 26/01/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Two top international organisations in Geneva are working to adapt to trends in global intellectual property systems with an eye toward contributing to a positive economic impact, officials told a private sector conference this week. But they heard a complex message about the role of IP in addressing public policy concerns.
Director Kazatchkine Resigns From The Global Fund 25/01/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The Executive Director of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, Michel Kazatchkine, announced that he would step down by 16 March in a letter published on the Fund’s website.
