Autumn Brings Personnel Changes In Geneva 12/08/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The annual summer shuffle of the mission staff in Geneva has been particularly active this year for those with responsibility for intellectual property rights, with several key diplomats packing their bags, and new ones arriving.
Myriad Outcome: Winds Shift Again For Gene Patenting In The US 02/08/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 5 Comments In a long-awaited decision, a United States federal appeals court has decided that US companies can patent breast cancer genes, reversing a previous ruling. The decision was not unanimous, with one of the three judges dissenting. But despite the attention the case has received, the ruling may have little impact on the biotechnology industry, according to analysts.
WIPO Traditional Knowledge Committee On Way To New Mandate 22/07/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Delegates working on an international instrument to protect traditional knowledge and folklore against misappropriation today agreed this afternoon to ask the World Intellectual Property Organization General Assembly in September to extend the mandate of the committee working on those issues.
Traditional Knowledge, Folkore Treaty Texts Still Advancing At WIPO 22/07/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments Delegates at the World Intellectual Property Organization this week continued work on evolving draft texts of treaties to protect genetic resources, traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions (TCEs), or folklore. But more work will be needed to complete them, according to participants.
WIPO Calls On Film Industry Stars To Promote Audiovisual Treaty 20/07/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The UN World Intellectual Property Organization yesterday invited a panel of international film producers and star Spanish actor Javier Bardem to sing the praise of an international treaty to help the audiovisual industry address the problem of unauthorised downloads of content that is a hallmark of the digital age.
Extension Of WIPO Committee On TK, Genetic Resources Appears Likely 20/07/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments As the mandate of the World Intellectual Property committee on the protection of genetic resources, traditional knowledge, and folklore is reaching its end, diplomats meeting this week seem to be coming to agreement on its extension. Meanwhile, a group of developing countries submitted proposals for each of the three legs of the committee, to be considered as delegates go through draft negotiating texts produced at the last session of the committee.
Decisive Week Ahead For Protection Of Traditional Knowledge, Genetic Resources 15/07/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment World Intellectual Property Organization member countries next week will work on draft negotiating texts on the protection of genetic resources, traditional knowledge and folklore. New recommendations by a set of developing countries are calling for a diplomatic conference in 2013, and to extend the work of the committee in charge of reaching an international instrument, as its mandate ends this year.
Neglected Diseases R&D Financing Proposals Shaping Up At WHO 14/07/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Global public health experts in charge of exploring ways to finance R&D on diseases endemic in developing countries last week provided a preliminary summary of assessments on proposals provided by various stakeholders. They also made recommendations to establish global mechanisms, including a binding global instrument for R&D and innovation for health.
WHO Enters Next Phase Of Global Plan To Increase Flu Vaccine Production 14/07/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The World Health Organization will be entering a new phase of its global action plan for influenza vaccines, a WHO representative told reporters today. The goals of the first phase of the programme should be furthered but with more attention given to the local health and policy environment, WHO said.
WIPO, The ‘Sleeping Beauty’ Of Climate Change Policy, Urged To Awaken 14/07/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The World Intellectual Property Organization has taken its first public steps in the climate change debate by holding a conference on the subject this week. The organisation’s expertise in intellectual property policy and technology transfer is being sought by several other actors in the field, in particular the United Nations climate change agency.