Report: IP, Access To Science A Troubled Relationship 30/11/2016 by Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments A new academic report looks into the relationship between intellectual property and access to science and culture, in the wake of work on the issue by former United Nations Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights, Farida Shaheed. Contributors to the report aimed at reflecting on how the intellectual property system can foster economic growth while encouraging non-economic values and objectives of human development.
New Draft Articles For The Protection Of Traditional Knowledge On Table At WIPO 30/11/2016 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment New draft articles published this morning at the World Intellectual Property Organization committee on traditional knowledge show signs of progress in terms of reducing options. Meanwhile, the United States introduced a proposal for a discussion of what should be protectable and what is not intended to be protected. Delegates have to deliver their take on both documents this afternoon.
First Attempt At Bridging Textual Gaps On Traditional Knowledge Protection At WIPO 29/11/2016 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A new text suggested by facilitators in the ongoing discussions on the protection of traditional knowledge at the World Intellectual Property Organization attempts to tighten options to facilitate further discussions. They focused on the policy objectives of the potential treaty, what it should cover, and who should benefit from it – whether only indigenous peoples or states as well. Separately, Switzerland made a suggestion for a way forward with “positive” protection of TK.
WHO Group Suggests New Name For Falsified Medicines, Dropping ‘Counterfeit’ 28/11/2016 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 6 Comments A widely representative World Health Organization technical working group has recommended new terminology for substandard or falsified medicines, after years of sharp disagreement among WHO members that led to the tongue-twister: “substandard/spurious/falsely-labelled/falsified/counterfeit” medical products. The working group recommends a simpler formula: kick out intellectual property rights by dropping the term “counterfeit” and just call the products “substandard and falsified.”
On Eve Of WIPO Traditional Knowledge Negotiations, Nations Swap Experiences 28/11/2016 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment A seminar was organised by the World Intellectual Property Organization to provide a discussion platform on the eve of this week’s meeting on the protection of traditional knowledge, and as a way for countries to share systems of protection. Panellists presented views on possible graduated protection for different sorts of traditional knowledge.
WIPO: China Leads IP Applications Worldwide Again; Asia Dominates IP Activities 23/11/2016 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The World Intellectual Property Indicators 2016 report sounds like a refrain, but with some superlatives when it comes to China, which became the first intellectual property office ever to register over a million patent applications in a single year, in 2015. Against a background of bleak global growth, IP activities are flourishing. As in recent years, Asia dominates the IP global activities, while lower middle-income countries seem to have been unable to reduce the technological gap, and remain almost left out of the IP activity.
Eduardo Pisani To Step Down From IFPMA’s Helm In January 23/11/2016 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 31 Comments The International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA) today announced that its director general is stepping down at the end of January.
WHO Releases Reports On Pandemic Framework Review, Implications Of Nagoya For Public Health 23/11/2016 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 4 Comments The World Health Organization has published two advanced documents to be presented at the organisation’s Executive Board meeting in January. One relates to the review of the WHO mechanism for pandemic influenza preparedness, and the other to the public health implications of the implementation of an international treaty on genetic resources.
Resale Royalty Right: A Way To Redress Imbalance In Copyright Revenue, WIPO Told 22/11/2016 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment When visual artists sell their work, they usually perceive a price for that work. If it is resold at a much higher price, some countries provide for a resale right, providing artists with resale royalties. In other countries, such a right does not exist, putting visual artists in a disadvantageous situation, particularly indigenous artists, whose work can become very valuable on the international art markets.
WIPO Copyright Committee Agrees On Future Work, No Decision On Broadcasting Treaty Deadline 21/11/2016 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The World Intellectual Property Organization committee on copyright agreed on its work for its spring session, which is expected to advance work towards a treaty protecting broadcasting organisations. Discussions on limitations and exceptions to copyright for libraries, archives, education, and research will remain on the agenda. Although some delegations remarked that the agenda is already heavy, they agreed to continue work on resale right for visual artists and copyright in the digital age.