Novartis India Challenge Postponed To July28/03/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch 2 CommentsThe Indian Supreme Court today postponed hearing the high-profile case involving Swiss pharmaceutical producer Novartis’ challenge of India’s patent law until July, according to sources.
European Parliament Rejects Referral Of ACTA To EU High Court27/03/2012 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch 2 CommentsThe Committee of International Trade of the European Parliament today voted against referring the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) to the European Court of Justice (ECJ).
US Supreme Court Reverses Myriad Decision Allowing Gene Patents27/03/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 CommentThe United States Supreme Court yesterday threw out a high-profile case that had allowed a private company’s patents on two human genes associated with cancer.
New Chair For WTO GI Register Talks Seeks New Ideas23/03/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentWith general instructions from the December ministerial to change tactics in negotiations, the new chair of World Trade Organization special sessions on creating a geographical indications register for wines and spirits is calling on members for ideas.
Global Fund Changes Continue As West Africa Team Leader Departs23/03/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 CommentThe head of the West Africa region for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria is the next in the line of departures under the organisation’s reforms. On the way out, he sent around a passionate farewell email calling for a dedication to values, and offering a small window on the wrenching transition taking place inside the international organisation.
WHO Head Urges Global Support For Australia In Fight Against Tobacco22/03/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 CommentWorld Health Organization Director-General Margaret Chan has issued a call for global support of Australia in defending its “plain packaging” tobacco law against an onslaught of legal challenges from the tobacco industry. The industry has cited trademark concerns as a top issue.
UK Parliament Group Conducts Post-Hargreaves Inquiry Into IP Policy22/03/2012 by Maricel Estavillo for Intellectual Property Watch 1 CommentThe All-Party Parliamentary Intellectual Property Group in the United Kingdom is undertaking an inquiry into the government’s role in intellectual property (IP) promotion and protection, less than a year after the publication of an independent and comprehensive review on the UK’s IP system.
US Supreme Court Narrows Patentable Subject Matter21/03/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch 3 CommentsOn 20 March, the US Supreme Court cut back on the types of inventions that can be patented in America. The court held in Mayo Collaborative Services v. Prometheus Labs., Inc. that one cannot patent an invention which merely applies known technology to natural phenomena.
Special Report: Focus On Intermediaries’ Role Rises As Internet Matures21/03/2012 by Maricel Estavillo for Intellectual Property Watch 1 CommentWith the commercial internet now in its early twenties, stakeholders are finding themselves at a crossroads, unsure whether to allow business as usual or embrace a more regulated regime. Intellectual property, with its penchant for protection, is one of those areas where the tug-of-war is most evident, and seemingly caught in the middle are internet intermediaries.
Nigerian Courts Step Up Against Copyright Piracy: 18 Convicted21/03/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 CommentThe last year has witnessed a series of convictions of copyright pirates by the Federal High Courts in Nigeria. Information provided by Afam Ezekude, the Director General of the Nigerian Copyright Commission, the government agency responsible for copyright matters, shows that the courts have convicted copyright infringers in 18 cases within the last 5 months (October 2011 to February 2012).
