Global Health Giants, Trade Deals, And IP Play Central Role In 2013 Public Health Policy28/02/2013 by Rachel Marusak Hermann for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentThe role of intellectual property in a wide range of public health challenges – access to medicines, vaccine prices, procurement strategies, and research for diseases of the poor – is a focal point in 2013 cutting across national, regional, and international policymaking.
South Africa Leaning Toward Support Of Pan-African IP Office, Minister Says28/02/2013 by Linda Daniels for Intellectual Property Watch 1 CommentJohannesburg – There are strong indications that South Africa may join – and lead the charge – in the establishment of the controversial Pan-African Intellectual Property Office (PAIPO).
Coalition Asks US Congress For Action On “Patent Trolls”28/02/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 CommentIn an open letter to the US Congress House of Representatives Judiciary Committee today (27 February), a coalition of agencies, entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators, urged Congress to take action against “patent trolls, non-practicing patent-holding entities.
WIPO Members Struggle To Define Work Programme On Patents And Health27/02/2013 by Rachel Marusak Hermann for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentAs the World Intellectual Property Organization’s patent law committee grapples with starkly differing positions on the topic of patents and health, the secretariats of WIPO, the World Health Organization and World Trade Organization presented to members how their first trilateral study on access to medical technologies and innovation could be used as an effective resource. While the secretariats emphasised the neutral, informative nature of the book, some members pointed to a need for greater analysis of the challenges developing countries face when trying to use patent flexibilities for access to medicines.
With Lively Start, African IP Conference Addresses Medicines Access, GIs27/02/2013 by Linda Daniels for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentJohannesburg, South Africa — The start of the Africa IP conference was the scene of a surprise protest action by Treatment Action Campaign health activists who ambushed the stage as South African Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies was about to welcome delegates to the three-day conference.
European Copyright Reform On Slow Track, Observers Say27/02/2013 by Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentEuropean talks aimed at dragging copyright law into the digital age are not likely to produce results any time soon because of resistance from rights holders and political manoeuvring in the European Commission, players from the internet service provider and consumer sectors say. But the Commission said while it’s true that changes could take several years, there will be regulation if needed.
Recording Industry Sees New “Buzz” From Digital Revenues27/02/2013 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentThe major recording industry association has released its annual report for 2012, announcing a 9 per cent increase in revenues from digital sales of music, with licensed music services on the rise. It also said it benefits most in countries where internet service providers have worked to drive down use of unauthorised music download sites.
Change to UK Patents Act Removes Infringement For Use Of Clinical Trial Data27/02/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 CommentThe United Kingdom government has announced a change to the UK Patents Act that it says will help keep the country’s life sciences industry at the forefront of innovation by removing certain risks of drug development companies infringing patents.
ITU Sees Busy Year Ahead, Hopes To Overcome Divisions26/02/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentThe United Nations International Telecommunication Union (ITU) foresees a busy year, and one in which it continues its longstanding role as the key convener of international policymaking on information and communications technologies, the ITU secretary general has said. And it has started the year with efforts to patch over deep divisions among its members that arose at an ITU conference in December.
Obama Administration Announces New Open Access Policy26/02/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 CommentThe White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) has issued a new policy memorandum increasing public access to federally funded scientific research, including peer-reviewed publications and digital data.
