German-Backed Report Lays Out Strategy For R&D Into New Antibiotics 23/02/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment In the face of the lack of attractiveness of investing in research for new antibiotics for the pharmaceutical industry, and the general lack of funding for research and development for novel antibiotics, a new report commissioned by the German Federal Ministry of Health calls for countries to take action. In particular, the report proposes a global union for research and development, a global research fund, and a global launch reward. And access and pricing are key components of the strategy, it says.
US Business, Government Work To Bring Down ‘Dangerous’ UN Panel Report On Access To Medicines – And Change The Debate In Geneva 23/02/2017 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments Calling it flawed and narrow and seemingly threatened by its contents, the leading United States business group and US government IP specialists are working to limit the impact of a recent United Nations report that made recommendations for the decades-old problem of ensuring affordable medicines reach people when they are under patent in a way that does not threaten innovation. One step in countering the UN report? Change the discourse in Geneva and elsewhere.
Side Event On UN High-Level Panel On Access To Medicines Next Week At WTO 23/02/2017 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment As the World Trade Organization intellectual property committee meeting next week is expected to discuss the report of the United Nations Secretary General’s High-Level Panel on Access to Medicines next week, a group of developing countries is convening a side event to engage in discussion with members of the panel. The report included several direct recommendations to WTO members.
New WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement Seen Benefiting Developing Nations, Global Trade 23/02/2017 by Peter Kenny for Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments Multilateral institutions have received a lift with the realization of the World Trade Organization’s Trade Facilitation Agreement that is expected to provide a boost to sluggish international commerce by cutting out clogging regulations. Image Credits: Peter Kenny
Split Over DMCA Safe Harbour Continues To Roil US Copyright Office Reform Efforts 23/02/2017 by Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Internet service providers and copyright owners remain deeply divided over the effectiveness of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act safe harbour provisions, they said in additional submissions to a US Copyright Office inquiry.
Intellectual Property Watch Welcomes Three New Board Members 22/02/2017 by Intellectual Property Watch, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment With the start of a new era in providing high-quality global news and information, Intellectual Property Watch is proud to announce the addition of three distinguished and eminent experts in their fields as new members of the IP-Watch Board of Directors.
Momentum-Building: An Interview With Ruth Dreifuss On High-Level Panel On Access To Medicines 22/02/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Former Swiss President Ruth Dreifuss, co-chair of the United Nations Secretary General’s High-Level Panel on Access to Medicines, participated in a Geneva event on rare diseases earlier this month. She agreed to answer Intellectual Property Watch’s Catherine Saez about the High-Level Panel report, in particular how it was received by the international community, her take on criticisms that have been voiced, and the importance that the report be discussed at the international level such as the World Health Assembly.
Kenyan Regulator Cancels Leading Collective Management Licence To Streamline Music Royalties 22/02/2017 by Fredrick Nzwili for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment NAIROBI, Kenya — In a move meant to streamline the collection of music royalties in Kenya, the government regulator declined to renew a 2017 licence for a leading collective organisation over unmet standards.
TRIPS Council To Consider The Two Sides Of IP – Innovation Booster And Barrier 21/02/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The role of intellectual property in innovation is expected to be considered through different lenses at the upcoming meeting of the World Trade Organization committee on intellectual property. A group of developed countries have proposed an agenda item on inclusive innovation in micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, while discussions are expected on the report of the United Nations Secretary General’s High-Level Panel on Access to Medicines, and a side event featuring High-Level Panel members has been convened by a group of developing countries. Electronic commerce, and in particular copyright issues and electronic signatures are also on the agenda next week.
European Commission Public Consultation On Plan To Fight Antimicrobial Resistance 21/02/2017 by Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The European Commission has launched a call for comments on its proposed plan to help EU members fight antimicrobial resistance.