Q&A With US On Concerns About Lisbon GI Treaty Negotiation 08/05/2015 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Next week, the 28 members of the Lisbon Agreement for the Protection of Appellations of Origin and their International Registration administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization are expected to conduct a high-level negotiating meeting to agree on a new Act of the agreement. Major changes expected are the inclusion of geographical indications in the agreement, and the possibility for intergovernmental organisations such as the European Union to become members of the revised agreement. The United States has been among the leading countries concerned about the negotiation. In a Q&A, the US in written answers explained the concerns. The questions were sent by Intellectual Property Watch’s Catherine Saez.
Ratification Of Marrakesh Treaty For The Blind Postponed In Europe? 08/05/2015 by Intellectual Property Watch 4 Comments The German Federation of Blind and Partially Sighted today sounded the alarm over another dispute about the “Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons Who Are Blind, Visually Impaired or Otherwise Print Disabled”. The German and the Italian governments are blocking a compromise on the path for ratification in the European Union, the Blind Federation said in a press release. The EU Council of Ministers is expected to take a decision on the ratification next week
In ‘Huge’ Move, WHO Adds Key Hepatitis C, Cancer, TB Drugs To Essential Medicines List 08/05/2015 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The World Health Organization today published its updated Model List of Essential Medicines, including high-priced new treatments for hepatitis C, cancers and multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) that were quickly applauded by the public health advocacy community.
At WIPO Event, Music Creators Tell Of Desperate Economic Times 08/05/2015 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment NEW YORK – Musicians, songwriters, and producers recently gathered at a World Intellectual Property Organization event here and gave a stark depiction of a broken system that is not working for them financially, putting the very future of music-making at risk.
EU Parliament Considers Extension Of GI Protection To Non-Agricultural Products 08/05/2015 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Just days before the start of the Diplomatic Conference for the Adoption of a new Act of the Lisbon Agreement for the Protection of Appellations of Origins and their International Registration, several committees of the European Parliament considered a recommendation to extend existing geographical indication protection in the European Union to non-agricultural products.
‘Bound By Law’, 26 Lisbon Members Say No To Fully Open Diplomatic Conference On GIs 07/05/2015 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The ambassadors of all but two members of a 28-member World Intellectual Property Organization-administered treaty protecting appellations of origin said in a letter yesterday that international law requires that only treaty members participate in next week’s negotiations to add geographical indications to the treaty.
Diplomatic Conference On Inclusion Of GIs In WIPO Treaty Kicks Off Next Week 07/05/2015 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Geographical indications might gain stronger international protection through the amendment of a 28-member World Intellectual Property Organization-administered treaty protecting appellations of origin. The high-level negotiating meeting taking place next week will consider pending issues in hopes of completing the landmark change. Here is your guide to the issues.
United States Hopeful Lisbon Members Will Open Diplomatic Conference To All 07/05/2015 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments During a press briefing today the United States said they still have hope that the 28 members of a World Intellectual Property Organization-administered treaty will let the whole WIPO membership participate in next week’s negotiations to amend that treaty. It said that the potential new treaty protecting appellations of origins and set to include geographical indications can impact the economies of many non-member countries.
EU Copyright Review Divisive; French MEP Says UN Expert Lacks Balance 07/05/2015 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The UN Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights, Farida Shaheed, yesterday gave a presentation to the Legal Committee of the European Parliament, which currently is reviewing the EU Copyright Directive.
European Commission Unveils Plans For Digital Single Market 06/05/2015 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Today, the European Commission released details about its plans to create a Digital Single Market, with a set of actions to be delivered by the end of next year. The plan includes a competition inquiry of the European e-commerce sector launched today, and a commitment to change the European copyright law starting this year.