Mediator’s Report On EU Copyright Levies Recommends Major Changes31/01/2013 by Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentCopies made by end-users for private purposes in the context of a service previously licensed by copyright holders don’t cause harm that should be subject to private copying levies on reproduction devices such as MP3 players, blank DVDs and photocopiers, a European Commission-appointed mediator said in recommendations published on 31 January. António Vitorino suggested major changes to Europe’s copy levy system to align it with the digital world, but said at a press briefing that “there is still some way to go” to bring stakeholder positions together.
Pending Cutback In EU Spending For Development Cooperation31/01/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 CommentThe European Commission’s claims of support for development cooperation contrast with budget cuts for aid, raising doubts about the EU’s real will and ability to address today’s overall challenges and push for inclusive and sustainable development, writes Daniele Dionisio.
UNIGE Panel Promotes Advantages Of Trade Secret Protection31/01/2013 by Tiphaine Nunzia Caulier for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentIntellectual property professionals speaking at the University of Geneva last week discussed the challenges faced by companies and legislators in the domain of trade secrets. Topics addressed included the impact globalisation has on the protection of trade secrets, the need for an harmonised regime at the European level, and the need to rethink the place of trade secrets in the current international IP regime.
EU Proposes Comprehensive Reform Of Data Protection (Video)31/01/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentThe European Commission has proposed a comprehensive reform of the EU’s 1995 data protection rules to strengthen online privacy rights and boost Europe’s digital economy.A video interview on EU data protection reform with Jan Philipp Albrecht, the European Parliament rapporteur on the General Data Protection Regulation, posted by EU policy broadcaster viEUws, is available here.
WHO Executive Board Concludes After ‘Unpredecented’ Workload30/01/2013 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 CommentThe World Health Assembly’s rotating Executive Board meets twice a year, and on 29 January concluded its 132nd meeting with what the WHO director general termed an “unprecedented” amount of agenda items and documents.
Potential Elements Of The WHO Global R&D Treaty: Tailoring Solutions For Disparate Contexts29/01/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 CommentProf. Ryan Abbott analyzes the key components of the WHO proposal for a Global R&D Treaty and their potential impact on public health. The article proposes strategies to convert parties currently opposing the treaty, and argues that a stratified limited market-exclusivity regime has the capacity for a meaningful impact.
WTO: Antigua To Retaliate Against US By Suspending IP Rights Protection28/01/2013 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 5 CommentsAfter years of unsuccessful negotiations between nations, the World Trade Organization Dispute Settlement Body today gave Antigua and Barbuda the right to impose sanctions against the United States for blocking online gambling. The US was found in violation of WTO rules in 2007 and has failed to resolve the issue, so the Caribbean nation was given the right to retaliate in an area that is likely to force a US response – lifting US intellectual property rights.
WHO Board Approves Resolution On Neglected Diseases; Sets Action On Substandard Medicines28/01/2013 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 5 CommentsThe World Health Organization Executive Board today approved a modified resolution on neglected tropical diseases – after removing a reference to a working group on R&D for neglected diseases as “irrelevant”. The Board also discussed and took note of a report on poor quality medical products in the supply chain, and agreed to set another meeting on the issue before the May World Health Assembly, as well as set up a separate group on behaviours that lead to this problem.
Debate Erupts At WHO Over “Consensus” On Financing R&D For The Poor28/01/2013 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 5 CommentsWorld Health Organization members on Friday held a tense discussion over legal and political aspects of a consensus reached by a small number of member states in November on implementing a plan to address the global lack of research and development for neglected diseases predominantly afflicting poor populations. The discussion may continue today, with the linkage of an agenda item on neglected tropical diseases and the report of an expert working group offering numerous ideas for addressing the problem.
WHO Plan For Pandemic Flu Proceeds With Questions28/01/2013 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 3 CommentsThe World Health Organization has not completed negotiations with companies on a formula for contribute toward the new WHO framework for pandemic influenza. But companies are paying to access the virus anyway. In its meeting this week, the WHO Executive Board has addressed a range of issues such as pandemic influenza, but so far it has delayed discussion on another contentious topic: substandard/counterfeit medical products.
