A Look At The Marrakesh Treaty Ratification In Brazil 14/01/2016 by Intellectual Property Watch 4 Comments The Marrakesh Treaty, first of its kind, will enter into force three months after the deposit of the instruments of ratification or accession by 20 eligible countries. So far, thirteen have done so. Brazil, which was one of the main proponents and negotiators, deposited its ratification of the treaty on December 11, 2015, after the yearlong internal legislative process. The key question we are trying to face here is how the ratification of this treaty may impact Brazilian copyright legislation and the interpretation of the limitations.
Council Of Europe Guidelines For Network Neutrality To Protect Freedom Of Expression, Privacy 13/01/2016 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The Council of Europe (CoE), the intergovernmental regional group that includes the European Union, today called on European governments protect the principle of network neutrality at the national level. The member countries adopted guidelines on protecting and promoting the right to freedom of expression and the right to privacy related to network neutrality.
Obama Calls For TPP Approval On Eve Of ITC Hearing 13/01/2016 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment On the eve of a three-day mega hearing on the impact of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) starting today at the US International Trade Commission, President Barack Obama called on Congress to approve the trade deal. In his final annual State of the Union Address last night, the TPP got only a minor mention.
Opportunities And Challenges That The Internet Of Things Creates 13/01/2016 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Over the past few years, we’ve seen paramount change in the way we access the internet – it started with desktops and soon shifted to mobile devices. But the world hasn’t been waiting for long to see it grow into something huge. Internet intelligence is now knocking at the door of our homes, cities, and businesses – this is what you’ve heard of as the Internet of Things (IoT).
How To Manage Patent Costs With Quality Applications, Accurate Translations 13/01/2016 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The number of patent applications filed worldwide continues to increase, up by 4.6 percent in 2014 for a total of nearly 2.7 million, according to the 2015 edition of the World Intellectual Property Indicators. The increasing number of patents filed worldwide demonstrates the strength of ongoing innovation and the value companies put on protecting their intellectual property where they wish to do business. The filing numbers would likely be even higher, and across more countries, if the filers were more prepared for the costs associated with filing patents.
Carmakers Open IP Vaults To Boost Electric Car Demand 12/01/2016 by Bruce Gain for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Several carmakers are aggressively sharing intellectual property and patents in a collective bid to help the fledging vehicle type catch on in the marketplace as a mainstream alternative.
Local Rooibos Tea Growers Take Charge In Effort To Gain GI Protection 12/01/2016 by Linda Daniels for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment CAPE TOWN, South Africa — Small growers of Rooibos tea, in a remote region of South Africa, have taken up the charge in pursuing a geographic indication certification to protect their unique red tea against misuse and imitation. Intellectual Property Watch brings you the local story.
Kenya Takes Steps To Enhance Intellectual Property Awareness 12/01/2016 by Justus Wanzala for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment NAIROBI, Kenya — The government of Kenya has inaugurated a board to steer the Kenya National Innovation Agency (KNIA), which is charged with increasing awareness of intellectual property rights among investors, universities, research institutions and the general public. The move comes as experts have offered gloomy views on the IP situation in Kenya and elsewhere in Africa.
Trade Commissioner Malmstroem Promotes TTIP, Warns Against Intolerance 12/01/2016 by Intellectual Property Watch 8 Comments MUNICH — At a New Year’s reception of the Regional Chamber of Commerce in Karlsruhe, Germany today, European Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstroem promoted the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) and warned against “extreme views, opposed to open societies and economies.”
50+ US Congress Members Urge Reasonable Licensing Terms For Government-Funded Medical Patents 11/01/2016 by Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments More than 50 members of the United States Congress today sent a letter urging the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and National Institutes of Health (NIH) to exercise their legal authority to require medical patents that have emerged from government-funded medical research projects to be licensed on reasonable and affordable terms for public use.