Compulsory Licences Positive For The South, With Conditions, Study Finds31/05/2012 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentCompulsory licences can provide an efficient way to decrease prices of drugs in developing countries but the conditions of issuance of a licence influence the benefits countries can derive from them, particularly if the countries have a technology gap, according to an economic model presented this week at the World Intellectual Property Organization.
MSF Medicines Access Campaign Director Departs; New Director Named31/05/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentMédicins Sans Frontières (MSF, Doctors without Borders) announced today that it has named a new executive director of its Access to Medicines Campaign, a high-impact advocacy initiative on international public health issues in Geneva and elsewhere. Today was the last day for current Executive Director Tido von Schoen-Angerer, who completed two three-year terms in the role.
G8 Countries Take Hard Line On Counterfeit Medicines31/05/2012 by Matthew Gibson for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentThe Group of Eight (G8) industrialised countries recently met to discuss major challenges to the global economy, climate change, food security and nutrition, and political and security issues. And the commitments they made on intellectual property rights reflect their current thinking on the issue.
Rod Of Justice For French Internet Infringers May Soften30/05/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentThe French “three-strike” law aimed at preventing illegal downloading of protected works on the internet, enacted in October 2009 after much controversy, may be modified by the newly elected French government, according to sources.
Russia’s Largest Social Network vKontakte Held Liable For Copyright Infringement30/05/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch 5 CommentsThe 13th Commercial Court of Appeal recently affirmed the decision of the Commercial Court of St. Petersburg in Russia’s leading P2P case ruling that the social network vKontakte, a Facebook lookalike, is liable for copyright infringement.
Governments, WHO, Reveal Industry’s Back-Channel Battle Against Tobacco Legislation30/05/2012 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentThe shadow of the tobacco industry was present at last week’s annual World Health Assembly, featuring the villain in what World Health Organization Director General Margaret Chan called a theatre of the absurd. The tactics of the “evil industry,” as she called it, aimed at undermining countries’ efforts to implement tobacco control legislations were illustrated with concrete country examples at a side event during the week.
EU Parliament Advises No Patent On Conventional Breeding29/05/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 CommentThe European Parliament has adopted a resolution on the patenting of essential biological processes.
Golden Oldies? South African High Court Looks At What Is “Traditional”29/05/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch 2 CommentsThe question of the use of material in the public domain for the inspiration of new works has been complicated in South Africa by legislation which purports to grant retrospective perpetual protection to so-called “traditional works”. A case pending in the South African High Court highlights the question of what is “traditional” and raises the question of to whom music companies will have to look in the future to obtain permission to use anything that smacks of a traditional flavour. Prof. Owen Dean asks: Could this be a disincentive to use traditional material belonging in the public domain and thus slow cultural expression?
World Health Assembly: WHO Carves Out Leadership Role In “Vaccine Decade”28/05/2012 by Rachel Marusak Hermann for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentWith a generous pledge and a grand vision, Bill Gates launched the “Decade of Vaccines” two years ago. By endorsing a “Global Vaccine Action Plan” during the World Health Assembly, the world’s health authority stands as the lead agency in advancing the initiative.
World Health Assembly: Member States Call For Acceleration On Pandemic Flu Preparedness26/05/2012 by Rachel Marusak Hermann for Intellectual Property Watch 1 CommentOne year since the adoption of the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Framework, member states emphasised the importance of bio-sharing initiative and in some in cases raised concerns about the pace of implementation.
