WIPO Genetic Resources Text Compiles Differences, Heads To General Assembly 10/02/2014 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments Despite spending a week in mostly closed, informal discussions, the World Intellectual Property Organization committee working on the protection of genetic resources, got little closer to breaching the opposing viewpoints. Members managed to produce a draft text – with signs of steps toward a middle ground – that they say can serve as a basis for further discussion on the development of an international instrument preventing wrongful patents.
Developing Countries Urged To Beat Biopiracy With Patent Examination, Regulatory Frameworks 07/02/2014 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment While World Intellectual Property Organization members seek ways to address the issue of biopiracy, speakers at a side event to this week’s negotiations said the phenomenon is widespread. According to them, very few patent applicants source the origin of the resources they have used and on which they seek claims. Some measures can be taken […]
New WIPO Text On Genetic Resources Misappropriation; Disclosure Still Uncertain 06/02/2014 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 4 Comments World Intellectual Property Organization member countries are working to get past their differences this week toward agreement on a way to protect genetic resources from biopiracy. A new document shows focus on misappropriation as a policy objective, and that a bridge still needs to be found on the issue of mandatory disclosure of origin in patent applications.
Amid Proposals, Ambassadors Fail To Unlock WIPO Talks On TK, GRs 04/02/2014 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The World Intellectual Property Organization committee working on ways to protect genetic resources and traditional knowledge opened a weeklong meeting yesterday by gathering country ambassadors to try to inject momentum into discussions. But after the session, it appeared that many delegations had restated known positions. Everybody seemed to agree on broad goals, but not on the way to reach them.
WHO Board Addresses Substandard Medicines, Flu Pandemics, Regulatory Systems 24/01/2014 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The World Health Organization Executive Board got through a high number of items yesterday, including several with ramifications for intellectual property and innovation.
WHO Chief: No Government Should Be Intimidated For Doing “Right Thing” In Public Health 24/01/2014 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 4 Comments Discussions on access to essential medicines yesterday at the World Health Organization were in some ways overshadowed by the recent leak of a global pharmaceutical campaign aimed at derailing efforts by the South African government to revise its intellectual property policy. WHO Director General Margaret Chan strongly supported South Africa, as did several developing countries, while developed countries remained silent on the subject.
WHO Board Tackles Reform, Engagement With Non-State Actors 24/01/2014 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 5 Comments The World Health Organization Executive Board spent long hours this week discussing the progress of the reform of the organisation. Among items covered were the reform implementation plan, the engagement of WHO with non-state actors, and ways to improve decision-making by the organisation’s governing bodies.
New Health Collaboration Touts Ethics, Aims To Put Patients First 22/01/2014 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Several health care organisations this week signed a “consensus framework” for ethical collaboration between patients’ organisations, healthcare professionals, and the pharmaceutical industry.
Vaccines In Middle-Income Countries, Non-Communicable Diseases Discussed At WHO 21/01/2014 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Availability and accessibility of vaccines in middle-income countries was raised today at the World Health Organization as member states are ploughing through a heavy agenda. Noncommunicable diseases were also discussed and delegates sitting on the Executive Board agreed on a formal meeting before the next World Health Assembly to complete terms of reference for a global coordination mechanism to prevent and control the growing epidemic.
WHO Executive Board Opens With Overcrowded Agenda; Chan Calls For Focus 20/01/2014 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The World Health Organization Executive Board opened this morning with a packed agenda, which prompted the chair to warn participants to restrict their statements. Director General Margaret Chan described as problematic the temptation to address all public health issues, and encouraged member states to focus on strategic and selective goals. Member countries also expressed concerns about the length of the agenda.