European Cooperation Against Counterfeits Online: Sporting Goods Industry Joins Team 22/09/2016 by Alexandra Nightingale for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The Federation of the European Sporting Goods Industry (FESI) and the European Commission recently signed a memorandum of understanding that sets out to “establish a code of practice in the fight against the sale of counterfeit goods over the internet and to enhance collaboration between the signatories.”
Against ‘Grave Challenge To Achievements Of 20th Century’, UN Agrees Political Declaration On Antibiotic Resistance 22/09/2016 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment NEW YORK — The membership of the United Nations today agreed a political declaration on antimicrobial resistance, elevating the global fight against overuse and misuse of antibiotics – and lack of new antibiotics – to the highest political level. The declaration struck by world leaders at the UN General Assembly in New York includes mention of separating medicine prices from the cost of research and development, and calls on the UN secretary-general to create an interagency coordination group. Now – as framed by many governments, intergovernmental organisations and nongovernmental representatives – attention moves to implementation of actions aimed at staving off this threat to humanity itself.
First Revised Articles Of Potential Treaty Protecting TK At WIPO Issued Today 21/09/2016 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments A new set of draft articles of a potential treaty protecting traditional knowledge from misuse and misappropriation was issued this morning. Facilitators of the discussions worked late last night to produce a document with a number of alternative texts, reflecting points of views of member states.
Big Pharma Issues Industry Roadmap On Antimicrobial Resistance 20/09/2016 by Catherine Saez and William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Major pharmaceutical companies today issued a roadmap they said aims to bring solutions to the problem of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The plan, issued on the eve of the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance, targets environmental impact, use of antibiotics only by those who need them, improved access to medical products, and public-private partnerships.
Leaks Show TISA No Easy Trade Deal; Civil Rights Groups, Unions Alarmed 20/09/2016 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Greenpeace, European Digital Rights, Public Services International and the International Transport Worker’s Federation today presented a collection of leaked papers on the Trade in Services Agreement (TISA). As negotiators from a dozen countries currently gathered in Geneva for officially the 20th round to close the deal on better trans-border service trading, the civil rights activists and trade union representatives warned that TISA partners would commit to give up their options to regulate in the public interest through a secret deal.
New Suggestions Under Discussion In WIPO Traditional Knowledge Talks 20/09/2016 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Delegates at the World Intellectual Property Organization have started trying to better clarify the different positions countries have on the protection of traditional knowledge. Today facilitators to the discussions provided textual suggestions on the objective of a potential treaty, the definition of traditional knowledge, and whom the treaty should benefit.
‘Ransomware’ Emerges As A Major Threat To IP Ownership 19/09/2016 by Bruce Gain for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Criminals are increasingly blocking access to digitised intellectual property and then charging their victims ransom to get it back, as “ransomware” attacks become increasingly common and sophisticated.
After Two-Year Hiatus, WIPO Resumes Discussions On Protecting Traditional Knowledge 19/09/2016 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment How can traditional knowledge be protected against misappropriation and who should benefit from this protection is at the heart of discussions at the World Intellectual Property Organization this week. After over a two-year hiatus, WIPO delegates are resuming discussions this week on a potential treaty protecting traditional knowledge. The week’s focus is to find common understanding of core issues, such as the definition of traditional knowledge, and the scope of protection.
Albania, Montenegro Amend IP Legislation With EU Bids In Mind 19/09/2016 by Jaroslaw Adamowski for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment In a bid to push forward their ongoing membership negotiations with the European Union, two Balkan States have moved to further harmonise their intellectual property regulations in line with EU legislation. Albania’s new copyright law will enter into force this October, and Montenegro’s amended legislation on trademarks, industrial design and topographies of semiconductor products entered into force last July.
Mass Protests Against TTIP, CETA In Germany 17/09/2016 by Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments In Berlin, Hamburg and five other cities in Germany, some 320,000 citizens today protested against the adoption of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP).