WIPO Assembly Approves New Work Mandate On GR, TK Protection30/09/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 3 CommentsThe World Intellectual Property Organization General Assembly today renewed the mandate of its committee working on the protection of genetic resources, traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions. The full membership approved a deal reached in an informal session on 27 September, and statements made today showed that profound differences remain.
IP-Intensive Industries A Powerhouse Of EU Economy, EPO-OHIM Study Says30/09/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 CommentThe European Patent Office released a study today on the impact of intellectual property rights on the European economy, finding that some 40 percent of the total economic activity in the European Union is generated by “intellectual property rights-intensive industries.”
WIPO Staff Urge Opposition To Changes To Internal Justice System At WIPO29/09/2013 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 2 CommentsAs many as 300 members of the staff of the World Intellectual Property Organization have supported a petition urging the WIPO director general to withdraw a proposed amendment to the internal justice system at the UN agency, according to informed sources. The petition calls on WIPO member states to reject the proposed changes.
WIPO Election: Two Candidates For Director So Far, More Could Follow29/09/2013 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 4 CommentsTwo candidates to lead the UN World Intellectual Property Organization from 2014 to 2020 have been formally nominated by their governments in the past week. And according to sources, others are being considered.
Upcoming TRIPS Council: IP And Sports, Green Tech, Public Health29/09/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 CommentThe upcoming meeting of the World Trade Organization committee on intellectual property includes a newcomer on the agenda. The European Union, Jamaica, Mexico and the United States have requested an agenda item on intellectual property and sports.
WTO Panel Established In Honduras Case Vs. Australia Tobacco Packaging28/09/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 CommentThe World Trade Organization Dispute Settlement Body has established a panel on a complaint by Honduras against Australia’s measure to require tobacco to be sold in plain packaging as a public health measure.
At WIPO, Differences Remain On Global Priorities In Patent Law28/09/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentDifferences on how nations view patent law and the need for more international harmonisation became apparent this week at the World Intellectual Property Organization annual General Assembly.
WIPO Members Near Agreement To Negotiate Design Law Treaty28/09/2013 by Alessandro Marongiu for Intellectual Property Watch 1 CommentWorld Intellectual Property Organization members this week have discussed the possibility of convening a diplomatic conference – a high-level negotiation – on a treaty on industrial design law. As of yesterday, members appeared near consensus to proceed to a diplomatic conference, according to sources. Meanwhile, the European Union made a presentation on how it is contributing to IP and development.
WIPO Members Reach Tentative Deal On TK Treaties; External Offices Mired27/09/2013 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 2 CommentsWorld Intellectual Property Organization members this evening reached a hard-won preliminary agreement on a path to a high-level negotiation of treaties or other instruments for the protection of traditional knowledge, traditional cultural expressions and genetic resources. The tentative deal, reached in informal meetings, creates an intensive work programme for the next year and a final decision in September 2014. The plan will have to go before the full WIPO membership in plenary as soon as Monday.
Big Pharmaceutical Firms Say MDGs Partnerships Are ‘Best-Kept Secret’27/09/2013 by Liza Porteus Viana for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentNEW YORK – The vast collaboration between the pharmaceutical industry, government and civil society is perhaps “one of the best-kept secrets of our industry,” the head of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations (IFPMA) said this week, stressing the need for even more cooperating heading into the post-2015 development agenda at the United Nations.
