Visually Impaired, Civil Society, Industry Defend Their Stakes In Marrakesh 20/06/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment This week’s World Intellectual Property Organization Marrakesh Diplomatic Conference, anticipated to deliver an international treaty allowing visually impaired people wider access to books, is also an arena where different stakeholders hope to influence the debate. Civil society calls for a practical treaty that really works on the ground, while industry insists that safeguards to protect the integrity of the international copyright laws be included in the treaty.
WIPO VIP Treaty: Opening Statements Lay Out Differences 20/06/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Displays of good intentions peppered the two first days of World Intellectual Property Organization negotiations on treaty facilitating access to books for visually impaired people. However, countries pleading for flexibility reaffirmed their previous positions. Developed countries seeking to preserve the international copyright system, and developing countries assuring that the treaty is not jeopardising this system.
Asia-Pacific Region Vies For Biotechnology Industry Opportunities 20/06/2013 by Daria Kim for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Hong Kong – A recent conference here looked at the evolving biotechnology landscape in the Asia-Pacific region as well as prospects for networking and raising capital for early stage life science innovation.
New Draft Text Issued By WIPO Negotiators For Visually Impaired Treaty 19/06/2013 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment World Intellectual Property Organization delegates this week have launched into negotiations expected to yield the first treaty creating exceptions and limitations to copyright for the benefit of visually impaired people. Many delegations have said much work remained to be done in the next ten days to breach differences. A new text was released this evening on commercial availability.
European Commission Fines Pharma Companies For Payments To Delay Generic Entry 19/06/2013 by Brittany Ngo for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The European Commission (EC) has fined Danish pharmaceutical company Lundbeck as well as eight other generic manufacturers for delaying market entry of generic medicines by way of patent settlement agreements (also known as “pay-for-delay” agreements).
The Impact Of Derailing The WHO Medical R&D Convention 19/06/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment An article in the newly launched Journal of Health Diplomacy about the stalled progress at the World Health Organization for a medical research and development (R&D) convention discusses systemic failures in global health policy.
EIFL Guide To The European Orphan Works Directive 19/06/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A guide to key provisions and limitations of the European Union directive on permitted uses of orphan works – those whose creators cannot be found – has been published by the Electronic Information for Libraries (EIFL).
WIPO Seminar Discusses Impact Of TRIPS On Pharmaceutical Innovation 19/06/2013 by Brittany Ngo for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The latest instalment of the World Intellectual Property Organization seminar series titled “The Economics of Intellectual Property” covered the issue of product patents in the pharmaceutical industry. Discussion focussed on the economics of intellectual property rights and how pharmaceutical patent protection might not be the sole culprit in the access to innovation problem.
US Businesses Launch Coalition For Fair Trade With India 18/06/2013 by Kelly Burke for Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments A new coalition of United States business groups, called the Alliance for Fair Trade with India (ATFI), launched today to take aim against what they say are discriminatory trade practices in India against US exports.
G8 Hails Trade Deals, Nods To WTO, Issues Declaration On Open Data 18/06/2013 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment In their traditional communiqué, Group of Eight countries at their annual summit welcomed ongoing efforts to negotiate bilateral and multilateral trade deals which they say will allow them to overcome economic uncertainties and shoulder the responsibility to support prosperity worldwide.