Panel: Open Data, Open Access, And Open Education – Key To Open Innovation? 31/03/2015 by Elena Bourtchouladze for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Intellectual property stimulates creativity but at the same time holds back innovation, speakers said at a recent event on open innovation and alternative business models. The roundtable looked a range of models, such as open source and open data, and their advantages, to “all rights reserved” protection.
Supplier of Essential Medicines Supports TRIPS Waiver For Least-Developed Countries 30/03/2015 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 5 Comments The IDA Foundation, a worldwide supplier of essential medicines to low-and medium income countries, has backed the request by least-developed countries to extend a waiver that allows them to forfeit the obligations to protect intellectual property on pharmaceutical products. UNITAID, the UN-related drug purchasing mechanism, also issued a statement in support of the extension. The request is expected to be discussed at the World Trade Organization in June.
Manila Principles On Intermediary Liability Offer Vision For Balance 27/03/2015 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment A new set of principles launched this week by a range of global non-governmental organisations attempts to set out guidelines for internet intermediaries’ liability for content of communications. The six principles, which are seeking endorsement from organisations and individuals worldwide, address freedom of expression, freedom of association, and the right to privacy.
IP Industry Issues Report On Intermediaries’ Role In Fighting IP Infringement In Supply Chain 27/03/2015 by Elena Bourtchouladze for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment A leading business group has published a report that it says shows how intermediaries can help keep fake and pirated products out of the supply chain and off the internet. The International Chamber of Commerce BASCAP (Business Action to Stop Counterfeiting and Piracy) released the 120-page report on 26 March. The paper is titled “Roles […]
How The Leaked TPP ISDS Chapter Threatens Intellectual Property Limitations and Exceptions 26/03/2015 by Intellectual Property Watch 6 Comments By Prof. Sean Flynn, Associate Director, Program on Information Justice and Intellectual Property (PIJIP), American University Washington College of Law Reposted with permission from Infojustice.org, original here. I released a statement earlier today opining that the today’s leak of the Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) chapter proposed for the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement (available […]
UN Human Rights Council Approves Expert On Privacy In The Digital Age 26/03/2015 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The UN Human Rights Council at its 28th session today in Geneva adopted a resolution that establishes a new mandate for a Special Rapporteur on Privacy in the Digital Age. The Council also approved a resolution extending the mandate of the Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights for 3 years, and took note of the current rapporteur’s recent report raising concerns about the impact of copyright on human rights.
Busy Year At WTO: 20th Anniversary, Doha Round, Dispute Settlement Overload 26/03/2015 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment This year is an auspicious moment for the World Trade Organization and the multilateral trading system, WTO Director General Roberto Azevêdo told journalists today. In particular, he said, the WTO, after a hiatus last year, is implementing the results of the 2013 Bali agreement on trade facilitation and finalising work on the work programme to conclude the Doha Round of trade liberalisation negotiations.
Indian Draft Pesticides Bill Contains TRIPS-Plus Data Exclusivity, Indian Pharma Says 26/03/2015 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments India is considering legislation on pesticides containing data exclusivity provisions that would raise the level of intellectual property protection above the minimum required by international trade agreements and could act as a precursor for pharmaceutical products in the country, a leading Indian industry representative warned this week. India is sensitive to restrictions on the use of marketing data of patented pharmaceuticals as it is seen as the world leader in generic medicines, which use such data.
Cuba, Large Friends, Trying To Corner US Into Compliance With WTO Rum Trademark Ruling 25/03/2015 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Better relations may be on the way for Cuba and the United States, but the thaw has yet to be seen in a longstanding World Trade Organization dispute over a Cuban rum trademark. As it has done for years, the United States today casually reported that there are several pieces of legislation in the US Congress that might bring it into compliance with a longstanding WTO ruling that found it in violation of WTO rules for a 1998 measure blocking a Cuban trademark from receiving due legal process in the US, where a US-friendly firm is using it.
Slifer Named USPTO Deputy Director 25/03/2015 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A veteran technology industry and innovation patent attorney has been named the new deputy director has been named at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).