WIPO Members Debate Reduction Of PCT Fees; Send Back PPH Proposal 25/05/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Members of the World Intellectual Property Organization Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) met this week to discuss possible amendments to the regulations under the treaty. Among issues discussed were possible fee reductions, the proposed formal integration of the Patent Prosecution Highway into the treaty, and the coordination of technical assistance under the treaty.
World Health Assembly: Members Debate US Proposed Advisory Meeting On Health R&D 24/05/2013 by Rachel Marusak Hermann, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Taking the World Health Assembly by surprise, the US delegation today made a proposal to advance progress on the monitoring, coordination, and financing of health R&D in committee discussions today. Their suggestion to convene an advisory meeting is being discussed in an informal drafting group in a side room. The committee has adjourned until Monday, but the drafting group will continue over the weekend.
At WTO, LDC Fight For Extension Of TRIPS Transition Continues 24/05/2013 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments Over the past week or so, least-developed country (LDC) members of the World Trade Organization have held their own in a closed room with the world’s biggest economies as they worked out details of a request by the LDCs to extend the deadline by which they must enforce WTO intellectual property rules.
GI Proponents Assess Progress, Challenges; French Minister Blasts Large-Scale Agriculture 24/05/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Bordeaux, France – In a stronghold of French gastronomy and famous regional products an industry organisation lobbying for the protection of geographical indications chose this week to convene its general assembly and set the goals for future actions.
WHO Should Have The Evidence? Ben Goldacre Refutes WHO Director’s Claim 24/05/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments “Bad Science” adversary and journalist, Dr Ben Goldacre, this week challenged WHO Director of Ethics and Social Determinants of Health, Dr Rüdiger Krech, on his understanding of published evidence.
World Health Assembly: Groups Seek To Return Focus To ‘Broken’ Medical R&D System 24/05/2013 by Brittany Ngo for Intellectual Property Watch and William New Leave a Comment The issue of access to medicines is on the agenda at this week’s World Health Assembly (WHA) and public health advocates are seeking greater clarity and detail about the latest member state effort to address failings in the global system of research and development for medical products.
EPO Still Granting Patents On Conventional Vegetables; ‘Just Following Rules’ 24/05/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 4 Comments The European Patent Office is continuing to grant patents on conventional plants despite demands from the European Parliament and the German Parliament that the patent office refrain from granting such patents, the coalition of non-governmental organisations called “No patents on seeds” said in a release.
EU Parliament Backs Start Of Transatlantic FTA Negotiations 23/05/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The European Parliament today voted in favour of a resolution welcoming the start of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). With 460 votes in favour, 105 against – mainly the Green Party Group and the Left – and 28 abstentions, the resolution passed after a heated debate Wednesday night. The majority allowed for the flexibility asked for by EU Trade Commissioner Karel de Gucht in the debate but nevertheless requested to “exclude cultural and audiovisual services, including those provided online.”
World Health Assembly: Draft Of NCD Action Plan Shows Compromises On IPRs 23/05/2013 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Negotiators worked late last night to reach some compromise on the intellectual property-related component of the emerging World Health Organization action plan on noncommunicable diseases.
World Health Assembly: Drafting Group Progressing On NCDs 22/05/2013 by Brittany Ngo for Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments Members of the World Health Organization this week have made noncommunicable diseases a top priority, and work on a draft resolution and action plan is being carried out by a drafting group that will report back later in the week.