UN Expert Says Secret Trade Negotiations A Threat To Human Rights 23/04/2015 by Intellectual Property Watch 7 Comments The United Nations independent expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order raised concerns over the lack of awareness about the negative effects that free trade and investment agreements have on human rights, especially in developing countries. The Independent Expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order, Alfred de […]
WIPO CDIP: New Proposals Rekindle Conversation On IP And Development 23/04/2015 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments Among the outstanding issues at the World Intellectual Property Organization is how WIPO committees report to the General Assembly on their implementation of the organisation’s Development Agenda Recommendations. At this week’s meeting on the issue, a new proposal submitted by Mexico attempts to breach differences.
Geographical Indications An Engine For Development, EU Panellists Say At WIPO 23/04/2015 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Geographical indications can provide socio-economic benefits for developing countries, said speakers at a side event to the World Intellectual Property Organization Committee on Development and Intellectual Property (CDIP) this week.
Industries Duelling For Attention Over GIs In Trade Deals 23/04/2015 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The trade promotion authority (TPA), or fast-track, legislation proposed by three senators last week in the US Congress contains provisions that would reinforce the US position on limiting geographical indications in trade deals. At the same time, European-led industry groups held an event in Washington to highlight the advantages of GIs in trade deals.
Canada’s Budget Extends Copyright For Sound Recordings From 50 To 70 Years 22/04/2015 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Canada’s federal government 2015 budget released yesterday contains several pro-intellectual property measures aimed at boosting the economy. The measures include greater protection of confidential client-advisor communications, and the extension of copyright terms for sound recordings and performances from 50 years to 70 years. “Economic Action Plan 2015 also proposes to amend the Copyright Act to […]
Open, Online Database Of Clinical Trials Planned 22/04/2015 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A newly announced project will create an open, online database of information about the clinical research trials worldwide. The initiative, called Open Trials, will be directed by Ben Goldacre, an internationally known author (“Bad Science”) and advocated for clinical transparency. As announced by Open Knowledge yesterday, Open Trials “will aggregate information from a wide variety […]
UK Industry Group Details Goals For Global Patent Harmonisation 22/04/2015 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment In recent months, intellectual property rights holder groups and northern governments have been stepping up their focus on harmonising international patent law to ease procedures and lower costs. Today, an industry group in the United Kingdom articulated some of those aims.
WIPO: The Future Of Music In A Changing Environment 22/04/2015 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment What lies ahead for music in the digital economy was the subject of a roundtable today at the World Intellectual Property Organization. Inaugurating a photo exhibition on the same theme, the United States ambassador stressed the importance of copyright. The roundtable took place on 21 April and was one of the events organised by WIPO celebrating the upcoming World IP Day on 26 April.
A Look At The Huge Upswing In China Patent Filings 22/04/2015 by Intellectual Property Watch 4 Comments By Michael Sneddon While China’s reputation for producing imitations of everything from cars to computers continues to linger, it doesn’t appear to be a deterrent for foreign corporations as they increasingly seek protection for their innovations. In fact, according to the 2014 edition of the World Intellectual Property Indicators, for the third year, China’s State […]
Update On Yale/IP-Watch Effort To Open TPP Texts 21/04/2015 by Intellectual Property Watch, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Intellectual Property Watch has been working for several years to obtain more details about the intellectual property aspects of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement negotiations through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, and a subsequent lawsuit to enforce that request, which is being led by a team at the Media Freedom and Information Access Clinic at Yale Law School (MFIA). Today MFIA, a program of Yale’s Information Society Project and Abrams Institute, released an update on the case.