Paper Proposes Access And Benefit Mechanisms To Help Implement Nagoya Protocol 04/12/2014 by Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments A recent paper proposes that countries use the access and benefit-sharing mechanism of the Nagoya Protocol to ensure conservation action and effective implementation of the protocol.
Civil Society Files Opposition To Monsanto Climate-Related Soybean Patent 03/12/2014 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments A civil society coalition is after one of European Monsanto’s patents, accusing the giant seed corporation of biopiracy. The patent granted in February was challenged by the No Patents on Seeds coalition, which filed an opposition a few days ago.
Another Setback For Design Law Treaty At WIPO; GIs In Contention 27/11/2014 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The fate of a potential treaty meant to harmonise international industrial design registration formalities took another turn this week, as African countries asked that the treaty include a safeguard against misuse and misappropriation of their traditional designs, which was seen by developed countries as a manoeuvre to delay the process.
Interview With Alberto Bichi, Federation Of The European Sporting Goods Industry 26/11/2014 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Alberto Bichi is secretary-general of the Federation of the European Sporting Goods Industry (FESI), based in Brussels. In an interview with Intellectual Property Watch’s Catherine Saez, he describes FESI’s mission, the views of the industry on the importance of intellectual property protection, and the growing issue of counterfeiting. He also talked about the industry’s concern over the current European Union customs regulation on goods in transit, which, according to him is negatively impacting the sector.
WIPO: New Proposal On Disclosure Requirement In Design Applications 25/11/2014 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment On the first day of the World Intellectual Property Organization committee on trademarks and designs the focus was on a proposal from the African Group to include a disclosure requirement in international industrial design applications. Up to now the stumbling block preventing delegates from moving to a high-level treaty negotiation has been technical assistance. This additional parameter might come in the way of swift agreement.
ITU Looks Into Issues Of Counterfeit, Substandard ICT Products 18/11/2014 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment This week, the International Telecommunication Union is holding an event highlighting the UN agency’s entry into what it describes as the growing problem of counterfeit and fake information and communication technology (ICT) products. Officials from the neighbouring World Intellectual Property Organization and World Trade Organization remarked during the meeting that counterfeit relates to an intellectual property right infringement, which is a different issue from substandard products.
WIPO Committee On Development Solves Two Standing Issues, Breaks Cycle Of Disagreement 15/11/2014 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments After months of repeated difficulties in WIPO committees plagued by stalled decisions or inability to agree on future work, the World Intellectual Property Organization Committee on Development and Intellectual Property (CDIP) appears to have turned the odds and managed to agree on two longstanding issues.
WHO Influenza Preparedness Report Shows Companies Not Fulfilling Obligations 14/11/2014 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The World Health Organization Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Framework is at risk due to some companies not fulfilling their obligations, a new WHO report says.
WHO In Race To Find Promising Ebola Treatments As Many Products Ruled Out 14/11/2014 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Proposals for products to help fight Ebola are coming in to the World Health Organization, but few look promising so far, an official said today. Meanwhile, efforts are on to establish testing sites for potential products, and thinking is still in the early stages on intellectual property rights for new drugs in development.
African IP Body Steps Up Regional Effort To Adopt Plant Protection Protocol 13/11/2014 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments The African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO), with the help of the United States and an international plant variety organisation, is working to grow regional support for a controversial draft law. The draft protocol would boost protection for new plant varieties, despite concerns of local civil society that it would not be in the best interest of ARIPO members’ food security due to its potential impact on small farmers. ARIPO held a regional workshop on the issue in recent weeks in part to build support for a treaty negotiation to lock in these protections.