The Role Of Social Media In M&A Transactions13/02/2015 by Caitlin McGivern for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentDespite the ever-increasing use of social media by businesses, social media assets are often overlooked in merger and acquisition (M&A) transactions. When addressing a company’s assets in a purchase agreement, social media assets tend to be explicitly addressed only very briefly, or not at all. It is important to address such assets explicitly, as they do not always constitute intellectual property rights covered by IP representations and warranties.
UN Indigenous Rights Expert Says ‘Redskins’ Name A “Hurtful Reminder” Of Past Mistreatment11/04/2014 by Caitlin McGivern for Intellectual Property Watch 2 Commentsames Anaya, United Nations special rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, today called on the owners of the Washington Redskins Football team to recognise that the name ‘Redskins’ constitutes a “hurtful reminder” of the “long history of mistreatment of Native American people in the United States.”
Industry Groups Urge Congress To Boost Arsenal Against Patent Trolls02/11/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentA growing list of US industries has sent a letter to the leaders of the US House of Representatives and Senate judiciary committees urging them to combat patent assertion entities (PAEs), also known as patent trolls.
Industry Questions Canadian Courts’ Overturning Of Patents31/10/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentIn a new blog post, Michelle Wein, research analyst with the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, criticises a series of decisions by the Canadian courts overturning certain patents based on a re-evaluation of the usefulness criterion that a patent must meet. She argues that this trend reduces the effectiveness of the international patent system, inhibits innovation and reduces the distribution of life-saving medications.
Reactions To Treaty On Plant Genetic Resources For Food And Agriculture02/08/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentThe International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) has been the subject of various comments this week.
EFPIA, PhRMA Release Joint Principles For Clinical Trial Data-Sharing, To Criticism30/07/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 CommentThe European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) and the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) endorsed joint principles for clinical trial data-sharing.
WTO: Technology, Emerging Economies, Demographics – Drivers Of Change In World Trade22/07/2013 by Caitlin McGivern for Intellectual Property Watch and Brittany Ngo for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentThe landscape and nature of world trade are changing, and quickly, according to the latest World Trade Report published by the World Trade Organization. Technological innovation, shifts in production and consumption patterns, and demographic change are said to be the primary factors that will shape the future of world trade and the global trading system, the report found.
WIPO Surveys Members On Its Services Provided To Traditional Knowledge Committee17/07/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentThe Internal Audit and Oversight Division (IAOD) of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is conducting an evaluation of the service provided by the WIPO secretariat in support of the committee on traditional knowledge and related issues.
WTO Aid For Trade Review Looks At LDCs And Value Chains10/07/2013 by Caitlin McGivern for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentTrade, development and value chains were a subject of discussion at this week’s World Trade Organization 4th Global Review of Aid for Trade, an initiative that encourages developing country governments and donors to recognise the role that trade can play in development.
Panel Discusses Role Of ECOSOC In The UN’s Post-2015 Goals09/07/2013 by Caitlin McGivern for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentThe contribution the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) can make to the formation of a post-2015 UN development agenda was at the centre of a thematic debate in Geneva last week. The agenda, to be developed by the General Assembly, is expected to include issues such as innovation, public health and the transfer of technology.
