TRIPS Council: Discussion Of IP And Innovation Irritates India: Other Issues Unchanged27/02/2014 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 CommentWorld Trade Organization members at the WTO intellectual property committee this week held fast to positions on longstanding issues, but engaged in discussions on issues such as innovation in relation to universities, and so-called “non-violation complaints” against countries that may cause harm to another country but don’t violate a WTO rule. Also discussed was the ongoing dispute over plain packaging requirements for tobacco products.
IP Rights Impact Practice Of Science, Global Justice, Author Says26/02/2014 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentIntellectual property has a strong effect on the practice of science, leading to a shift in research attention for the benefit of the rich, while impeding access to essential goods for the disadvantaged, according to a recent book.
US Congress Committee Issues Report On “Highly Invasive” FDA Surveillance Of Employees26/02/2014 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentThe United States House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Government Reform today released a report detailing the US Food and Drug Administration’s “highly-invasive” surveillance programme that monitored employees who contacted Congress and the media, according to a press release from the committee leaders. Surveillance was unauthorised and whistleblowers were not given sufficient protection, the report found.
UNITAID Assesses Potential Implications Of Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement26/02/2014 by Julia Fraser for Intellectual Property Watch 2 CommentsUNITAID is expected to soon publish a report on the implications of the leaked provisions of the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement (TPP) on public health and access to medicines.
Novel Legal Attack On Patent Trolls Falters In US25/02/2014 by Steven Seidenberg for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentIt began last May, when a tiny state in the United States launched a novel legal attack against a notorious patent troll. Other states and the federal government soon followed, all asserting that the troll’s efforts to licence its patents violated consumer protection laws. At first, this new legal strategy produced some significant victories. Many experts and government officials embraced consumer protection law as an important new tool against patent trolls. But a recent court ruling has cast doubt on the future of this once-promising strategy.
EU Trademark Reform Delayed; Debate Includes Goods-In-Transit, Harmonisation25/02/2014 by Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentEfforts to update European Union trademark law have slowed amid political differences and squabbles over some provisions of the reform package, representatives from the European Commission (EC), European Parliament and trademark community say. Contrary to the wishes of the EC and lawmakers, the legislation will not be completed before European parliamentary elections in May.
Year Ahead: Biotech, IP Promise to Create Controversy From Farms To Big Pharma In 201425/02/2014 by Liza Porteus Viana for Intellectual Property Watch 1 CommentThe intersection of biotechnology and intellectual property continues to be a hot topic across the globe. From the patenting of certain plant varieties to human genes, to biodiversity and food security, to genetic resources, countries from developing to developed are attempting to navigate often blurred lines in terms of what can and cannot be patented, what should – and shouldn’t – be patented, and protecting innovators from farmers to plant breeders to drug manufacturers.
US Calls On Brazil Internet Meeting To Stick To Principles25/02/2014 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 CommentThe United States, home to the organisation that oversees technical aspects of the internet domain name system, has advice for an upcoming meeting in Brazil aimed at revisiting the global internet governance: consider principles developed in past meetings, and don’t retread old sore spots. In other words, don’t disrupt the status quo.
Infojustice: Graphics Show Rise In US Pharma Exports To India, Patent Grants By India24/02/2014 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentMike Palmedo at Infojustice.org writes: “The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) is currently investigating “Indian industrial policies that discriminate against U.S. imports… and the effect those barriers have on the U.S. economy and U.S. jobs.” The investigation was requested by Sen. Hatch, Sen. Baucus, Rep. Camp, and Rep. Levin, and the final report is due to be released in November. Last week it held a series of hearings, where it heard from U.S. business, Indian business, and civil society representatives.”
European Union Sees Flurry Of Activity On Copyright Policy21/02/2014 by Julia Fraser for Intellectual Property Watch 1 CommentThere have been several important developments related to copyright in the European Union in the past week. Below is a summary.
