ICANN Trademark Clearinghouse To Start Accepting Registrations This Month 13/03/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers has announced that its Trademark Clearinghouse database, through which rights holders can submit their eligible trademarks prior to and during ICANN’s launch of new domains, will start operating on 26 March.
Pirate Bay Loses Its Appeal To European Court Of Human Rights 13/03/2013 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg in a judgment today rejected the appeal of Pirate Bay founders Fredrik Neij and Peter Sunde Kolmisoppi (application no. 40397/12) to the Court.
EPO Advisory Board Makes Recommendations For Patent System: Patent Quality Is Key 13/03/2013 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The year-old Economic and Scientific Advisory Board (ESAB) of the European Patent Office has concluded a one-year study of patent thickets, quality and fees, finding that many problems in the patent system could addressed by better patent quality. This means it is not necessary make a fee adjustment or have a major overhaul of the patent system at this time, it said.
On Plant Patents, EPO President Backs Industry, Disregards EU Parliament, Group Says 13/03/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment A civil society coalition fighting patents on conventional plants in Europe has published a briefing paper alleging that the European Patent Office is giving a “green light” to patents on plants and animals, disregarding the position of the European Parliament.
Meetings On IP And Innovation In Africa Open In Tanzania 12/03/2013 by Rachel Marusak Hermann, Intellectual Property Watch 4 Comments A ministerial-level meeting organised by the World Intellectual Property Organization, the Japan Patent Office, and the Tanzanian government began today in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The two-day conference, which focuses on how IP can stimulate innovation and development, will be followed by a UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) meeting and a US Department of Commerce Commercial Law and Development Program (CLDP)-led workshop on IP use and protection at the same venue.
Leaked IP Chapter Of India-EU FTA Shows TRIPS-Plus Pitfalls For India, Expert Says 12/03/2013 by Patralekha Chatterjee for Intellectual Property Watch 5 Comments Indian negotiators are reportedly under tremendous pressure to give in to the European demands for a more rigid intellectual property rights regime in the ongoing discussions on EU-India free trade agreement, suggests a leaked draft text of the chapter on IP which is being negotiated.
World Congress Hosts 5th Annual Corporate IP Counsel Forum 12/03/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The World Congress will host its 5th Annual Corporate IP Counsel Forum on 20-21 March in New York, NY.
Digital Rights, Health Concerns As TPP Talks Continue 11/03/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment As closed-door talks for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement progress this week, concerns have been raised about the proposed intellectual property chapter. Industry, public health and digital liberties groups urged negotiators to consider the possible impact on investment, digital rights, access to affordable medicines, and R&D for life-saving medicines.
Swiss Perspectives On The Success Of Its National Innovation Model 11/03/2013 by Tiphaine Nunzia Caulier for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Swiss innovation is internationally recognised for its high quality, and the reasons may derive from its fiscal system, labour market, research and development (R&D) model and education policy, a senior Swiss official has said.
Report On Seed Giants’ Initiatives To Preserve Monopoly On Global Food 08/03/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A report released yesterday by the non-profit ETC Group claims that six companies are seeking to control current priorities and the future direction of agricultural research. According to the report, giant seed companies are launching initiatives to preserve their IP rights and deflate antitrust concerns.