IP World Enters New Year With Major Shift Of People In Pharma, Copyright22/12/2016 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentAs a new year dawns, a lot of movement has been observed in the pharmaceutical industry with new key players taking the lead. Meanwhile, new delegates are covering IP issues in Geneva, and coordination of regional groups at the World Intellectual Property Organization makes its usual yearly shift for 2017. The copyright industry also saw major changes, and law offices have been busy hiring new partners.
2016 USTR List Of ‘Notorious’ Markets: Stream Ripping, Taobao And Switzerland21/12/2016 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 CommentThe United States Trade Representative’s office today released its annual “notorious markets” for intellectual property-infringing goods, with a list of 21 online and 12 physical markets worldwide. Many of the online sites are based across Europe, including several in Switzerland, but also in Russia and China as in the past. A big feature is China’s Taobao, and new methods like stream ripping.
All General Obligations To Retain Traffic Data Found Illegal Under EU Law21/12/2016 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentThe European Court of Justice in Luxembourg made big news today when it ruled against indiscriminate retention of traffic and localisation data once again.
US Supreme Court Eyes Patent-Enforced Post-Sale Restrictions21/12/2016 by Steven Seidenberg for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentFew were surprised when, earlier this month, the US Supreme Court agreed to hear the appeal in Impression Products, Inc. v. Lexmark International. The case presents two important patent law issues, and the lower court’s ruling on these issues conflicts with Supreme Court precedents, according to many experts.
ECJ Advocate General Says EU Commission Cannot Make Trade Deals Without Member States21/12/2016 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 CommentNot all parts of the European Union-Singapore trade agreement “fall within the EU’s exclusive competence and therefore the agreement cannot be concluded without the participation of all of the Member States.” This is the result of an opinion of the European Court of Justice Advocate General Eleanor Sharpston published today.
Podcast: ITIF’s Atkinson On Trade, Innovation, China In Trump’s Washington20/12/2016 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentA major shift is underway in Washington that is expected to have ramifications for global trade, innovation, and intellectual property enforcement, as Donald Trump steps into the United States presidency. IP-Watch caught up with Rob Atkinson, president of the Information Technology & Innovation Foundation to get his view on what’s to come. Among the predictions: the Washington Consensus on trade gets turned on its head, enforcement will rise including at multilateral level, the US will have many new ideas but iPhones will not be made in the US, and a much-needed “reset” of the US policy on China will bring greater mutual respect – if done right.
High Hopes For Blockchain For Digital Copyright Protection19/12/2016 by Bruce Gain for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentBlockchain platforms could help solve some copyright ownership issues for content sharing. But whether the technology lives up to its promise remains to be seen.
UN General Assembly Resolution: TRIPS Flexibilities, High-Level Panel On Medicines Access16/12/2016 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 CommentThe United Nations General Assembly this month is considering a resolution committing to elevate health issues to the highest levels of foreign policy. The resolution includes references and commitments related to dozens of existing instruments and tools aimed at improving health, including a full range of those on access to medicines, such as patent flexibilities under trade rules, and the recent report of the UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel on access to medicines and innovation.
No Deal: German Universities Prepare For Cut-Off From Elsevier Journals16/12/2016 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch 8 CommentsAfter licensing negotiations between German university libraries and Elsevier failed at the beginning of the month, over 60 university libraries in Germany are preparing to be cut off from hundreds of journals of the British-Dutch publisher, after a standoff over pricing and access.
US Finds Existing Copyright Law Suited For Software Embedded In Everyday Products16/12/2016 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 CommentThe United States Copyright Office has released a study that finds that existing copyright laws are sufficient to cover issues arising over software embedded in everyday consumer products. But it does call for some flexibility for consumers to tinker with their devices.
