Updated List Of Geneva Delegates Responsible For IP29/07/2016 by Intellectual Property Watch, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentThere are many, many committees, councils, panels, meetings, receptions, conferences, assemblies – not to mention countless private lunches, coffees and other contacts – during the year in Geneva that address policy issues related to intellectual property, innovation, research & development and the like. Intellectual Property Watch provides an indispensable, up-to-date list of who you need to talk to when you want to get the message across or follow the action.
Olympic Games: Trademark Revenues Are High Stakes29/07/2016 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 CommentWith a budget of over 2 US$ billion, the Brazilian Olympics rely heavily on commercial sponsors and licensing for revenue. Protecting the Olympic symbols is thus an imperative for the games with stringent rules on the use of those symbols and related signs. However, the fame of the event also draws covetousness from a variety of commercial actors seeking free rides, which is a dangerous endeavour, according to legal sources. Brazil adopted special rules for the occasion, while in the United States the protection is particularly stringent.
Brexit Could Have Broad Impact On UK Audiovisual Sector29/07/2016 by Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentIt is too soon to say precisely what impact the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union might have on Britain’s audiovisual sector, but among other things, Brexit could bring changes to the scope of copyright law and protections, rights clearance, online AV services and content creation, lawyers said.
International Trademark Interoperability Projects Advance28/07/2016 by Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch 1 CommentProjects aimed at creating a more interoperable international trademark system are moving forward, according to the US Patent and Trademark Office and the Japan Patent Office (JPO). Among those in the works are the USPTO-led TM5 ID List Project, which USPTO Commissioner for Trademarks Mary Boney Denison said will lead to faster processing of high-quality trademarks around the world.
Summer Changes Make A Splash In The IP Community28/07/2016 by Catherine Saez and Alexandra Nightingale for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentOver the summer months, people in the intellectual property world continue to circulate. UNITAID has changed heads, and other well-known figures in Geneva set off to new horizons. And no rest it seems for law offices, which maintained their usual level of moves between firms. Here is the latest on People in the IP community.
MSF Hearing On Opposition To Pfizer Pneumonia Patent In India28/07/2016 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 CommentMédecins Sans Frontières (MSF, Doctors Without Borders) filed a patent opposition in March in India to prevent Pfizer from patenting a pneumonia drug and will defend its position in a hearing tomorrow at the Indian Patent Office.
Libraries, Groups Welcome WIPO Copyright Appointment, With Hope28/07/2016 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 CommentA range of highly active groups at the World Intellectual Property Organization representing libraries, archives, and digital civil liberties this week welcomed the appointment of a copyright industry lobbyist to lead WIPO copyright issues. But they have voiced their hope that the appointee, Sylvie Forbin of France, will quickly show leadership on the promotion and support of the cultural heritage sector as it relates to copyright.
US Senate Judiciary Chairman Questions High Cost Of Medicare Drug Coverage27/07/2016 by Intellectual Property Watch 2 CommentsUnited States Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Charles Grassley, an Iowa Republican, has demanded answers from the government Medicare programme regarding the rapid rise in costs of coverage of Americans’ prescription drugs. The demand follows a press report showing an extremely high climb in costs for the so-called “catastrophic coverage” program.
Details Of September UN High-Level Meeting On Antimicrobial Resistance27/07/2016 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 CommentDetails of the upcoming United Nations General Assembly High-Level Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) are coming clear after the preparation of a text laying out the specifics.
Many Hepatitis C Patients Do Not Have Access To Medicines In India, Group Says27/07/2016 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentDespite being the global leader of generic drug manufacturing, access to hepatitis C treatment in India remains out of reach for a large portion of the population, a civil society group has said in a new paper. The authors call for India to work on a national programme of prevention and treatment of hepatitis, and warn against voluntary licences developed by multinational pharmaceutical companies.
