Industry Offers Rankings, Recommendations On Illicit Trade In Asia 14/10/2016 by Alexandra Nightingale for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong lead the way on preventing illicit trade, followed by Japan and South Korea, according to an industry index released this week. China came in slightly above midpoint on the index, while Lao and Myanmar were at the bottom. Among the recommendations by industry were to establish custom information systems and infringement procedures to deter illicit trading. Intellectual property protection was rated as fundamental in the fight against such trade.
Interview With Brazilian Culture Minister Marcelo Calero 10/10/2016 by William New and Alexandra Nightingale for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment At last week’s first-ever Assembly of the Marrakesh Treaty, Intellectual Property Watch caught up with the Assembly Chair, new Brazilian Culture Minister Marcelo Calero. He talked briefly about the importance of libraries and of implementing the Marrakesh Treaty.
New MedsPaL Database: Enhancing Transparency In The Patent Field 07/10/2016 by Alexandra Nightingale for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment A new database was launched this week to facilitate navigation through the patent field and increase transparency surrounding the patent status of medicines and licences.
Partial Revocation Of EPO Patent On Sofosbuvir, Key For Hepatitis C 05/10/2016 by Intellectual Property Watch 4 Comments Following a public hearing at its headquarters in Munich, the European Patent Office (EPO) decided to reject in part the arguments made by Gilead Sciences to uphold their patent on sofosbuvir, according to a non-profit group.
UNITAID-FIND Partnership To Scale Up Hepatitis C Diagnostics 04/10/2016 by Alexandra Nightingale for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Initiating a new partnership today, global health initiative UNITAID and the non-profit FIND began a project that will work towards the improvement, affordability and availability of diagnostics and treatments for the hepatitis C virus (HCV).
“We Are Here Today To Be Optimistic”: Stories And Advice From Women In IP 04/10/2016 by Alexandra Nightingale for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Under the banner of “inclusive trade,” last week’s World Trade Organization Public Forum hosted an array of sessions to discuss how a wider range of individuals and businesses can participate in the trading system. One prominent subject of discussion therein is how women can overcome the constraints and obstacles preventing them from accessing and obtaining the benefits of trade, and participate more fully in the field of intellectual property.
Panel At WTO Discusses Competition Policy And Why It Matters To Trade 02/10/2016 by Alexandra Nightingale for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Competition policy has evolved along with globalization and trade in past years. Now there are challenges such as the growth in international trade transactions and rapidly increasing cross-border mergers and antitrust cases. In parallel, the proliferation of competition policies and system has created potential of conflict of jurisdiction. Experts on competition and trade policies came together during the World Trade Organization Public Forum last week to discuss what the WTO can do and how better coordination between the competition policy and trade policy can be achieved to support growth and inclusiveness.
WEF On Competitiveness: Openness In Decline, Push In Innovation, Tech Needed 28/09/2016 by Alexandra Nightingale for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The world is seeing a decline in openness in economies, the World Economic Forum said in its new Global Competitiveness Report 2016 – 2017. But WEF sees an increased role for technology, innovation and business sophistication. And the most competitive nation in the world? Switzerland again.
Panel On The Right To Scientific Progress And Freedom For Scientific Research 23/09/2016 by Alexandra Nightingale for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Scientists, national and United Nations representatives, academia and civil society this week explored and elaborated on the right to enjoy scientific progress and the freedom which is indispensable for scientific research. The right was placed in the context of today’s global challenges and scientists presented the latest examples of their research, in which human rights related to freedom of scientific research could be applied. The panel set out promote systematic dialogue to foster an understanding of the right and of what is being advanced.
Shared Experiences Of Indigenous Peoples In The WIPO Negotiating Process 22/09/2016 by Alexandra Nightingale for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Members of indigenous communities this week shared their experiences in negotiating for their rights at the World Intellectual Property Organization and gave their advice on negotiations for potential treaties on genetic resources, traditional knowledge and folklore.