WHO Raises Its Voice To Underline Health Effects Of Climate Change 27/08/2014 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The World Health Organization this week is holding its first conference on health and climate change. The major objective of the conference is to raise awareness on the impact of climate change on health, according to the WHO, which said it aims to strengthen its voice in the debate.
Médecins Sans Frontières Warns About IP Inclusion In Asian FTA 27/08/2014 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The inclusion of intellectual property in the ongoing negotiations of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership between 16 countries, most of them Asian, is raising concerns about “TRIPS-plus” measures that could jeopardise generic drugs production in India, according to Médecins Sans Frontières.
Market Failure, Not IP, The Issue In Ebola Treatment Shortage, WHO Says 27/08/2014 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Faced with the worst outbreak of Ebola since its discovery some 40 years ago, the world is scrambling for treatments. A World Health Organization-convened panel of experts has decided it is ethical to use experimental treatments. Why is there no treatment available even after 40 years? Market failure, not intellectual property rights, says the WHO.
New Proposal To Keep Indigenous Peoples On WIPO Traditional Knowledge Committee 26/08/2014 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments A group of countries has submitted a new proposal to the upcoming meeting of the World Intellectual Property Organization budget committee to allow the continued participation of indigenous peoples representatives in WIPO’s committee on traditional knowledge and genetic resources.
World Drug Regulatory Authorities Meet In Brazil; Biosimilars In Focus 26/08/2014 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Drug regulatory authorities are meeting this week in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to discuss global regulatory issues such as vaccine regulation, falsified products, and pharmacovigilance. A “pre-conference” focused on biosimilars, with civil society warning on barriers to access to those products.
EU Commission Consultation On Protection Of Non-Agricultural GIs 25/08/2014 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The European Commission recently launched a public consultation on the protection of geographical indications for non-agricultural products.
Researchers Say EPO/OHIM Study Is A Tale Without A Message 13/08/2014 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment A recent paper published by the Max Planck Institute for Innovation and Competition criticises a joint study by the European patent and trademark offices as lacking insight about the economic effects of intellectual property.
Australia Eyes Copyright Act Amendment To Curb Downloading 11/08/2014 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The Australian government is seeking to amend its copyright act to address online copyright infringement. To that purpose, a discussion paper has issued for public input until 1 September. In particular, the paper looks at trends in similar nations and proposes measures to dry up business models operating outside of Australia, and to extend the responsibility of internet service providers.
Global Medical Students Call For Shift To Health Over Trade, R&D 08/08/2014 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments Universities Allied for Essential Medicines is calling for new incentive models for research and development so that new treatments can be found for neglected tropical diseases to fight antibiotic resistance, and is asking that health issues supersede trade interests.
Switzerland Continues Work On Changes To Online Copyright Rules 06/08/2014 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 4 Comments Switzerland is considering the “modernisation” of its copyright law to adapt the rights and obligations of various stakeholders to the “realities” of the internet. The country’s generous exception on private use of downloaded material appears to be preserved in the proposed change but internet service providers might feel the pinch.