Study: UN Development Needs Reform; US, Indian Ambassadors Agree 16/11/2012 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A study compiling the results of two surveys on the need for reform of United Nations development activities was presented this week in the presence of US and Indian ambassadors who agreed on needed improvements, though with a North and South perspective.
Pending Decision On GM Maize In Mexico Under Fire 15/11/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The ETC Group has issued a warning that “agribusiness giants Monsanto, DuPont and Dow are plotting the boldest coup of a global food crop in history,” as they have applied to the Mexican government for the planting of transgenic maize on 2,500,000 hectares, approximately the size of El Salvador.
Gaps Persist On WIPO Development Dimension 15/11/2012 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments The development dimension of the World Intellectual Property Organization is under scrutiny by member states this week, and after a smooth start and a general commitment to work cooperatively and constructively, discussions have demonstrated strongly held positions, leaving countries to try and find common ground.
Proposal For EPO Staff Bonus Raises Questions 13/11/2012 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments A proposal of the European Patent Office President Benoît Battistelli to pay a collective reward to EPO staff in 2012 in view of the positive operating result of 2011 has stirred concerns about the kind of incentive this might give to EPO examiners.
Full Agenda For WIPO Committee On Development This Week 11/11/2012 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment After a difficult session last May, the World Intellectual Property Organization committee examining the development dimension of WIPO activities will reconvene next week with a substantive agenda. In particular, delegates will assess progress of ongoing projects, consider reports on finished projects, and consider the committee’s future work. They also will consider a conference on IP and development.
WTO Members Launch Debate On IP And Innovation; LDCs Seek More Time To Enforce IP Rules 07/11/2012 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Members of the World Trade Organization intellectual property rights committee today launched their first-ever debate on IP and innovation. In addition, least developed countries formally requested an extension of their transition period to enforce WTO rules on IPRs.
WTO TRIPS Council To Consider New Brazil-United States Item On Innovation 05/11/2012 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The World Trade Organization member committee on the WTO intellectual property agreement meets tomorrow, with a new agenda item on intellectual property and innovation at the request of the United States and Brazil.
UPOV Hails Benefits of Plant Variety Protection; Civil Society Frustrated 05/11/2012 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) held a symposium last week on the benefits of plant variety protection as a way to help mitigate agricultural challenges and improve the livelihood of farmers. Also last week, during the UPOV Council, civil society denounced a push for a more stringent version of the UPOV Convention, and said new rules for observers were disappointing.
South-South Collaboration Needs Promotion, Better Reach, UNCTAD Report Says 02/11/2012 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment South-South trade and investment is growing and could lead to greater technology sharing but some countries are left out, particularly least developed countries, due to lack of technological capacity, according to a new United Nations report that also looked at intellectual property in the context of the rising South-South collaboration. Separately, UNCTAD also has begun consultations on joint work with the World Intellectual Property Organization.
Pharma Outlook: Don’t Yield On IP, Work On Trust-Building, Call For Global Cooperation 01/11/2012 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA) held its 26th assembly this week and elected its new president. He presented the future orientation of the industry group, saying will work on trust-building and needs predictability in the regulatory process, policies that sustain and encourage innovation, and a strong intellectual property system, he said.