First Public University Adopts Open Access Policy 01/07/2009 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Journal articles by professors at the University of Kansas (US) will soon be freely available online, the school reported, as it becomes the first public university in the United States to embrace an “open access” policy. The university joins ranks with Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Stanford University, which have similar policies. […]
WIPO Work Likely To Continue On Traditional Knowledge, But How? 30/06/2009 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments An intergovernmental committee considering ways to protect kinds of knowledge that predate – and may not fit into – the current intellectual property system picked up this week after a chaotic round of negotiations failed to make any progress at the last meeting. Meanwhile, some indigenous groups, in whose traditions rest much of this knowledge, continue a push for stronger representation at the committee.
King Of Pop’s Leanings Patented 30/06/2009 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment In addition to writing catchy pop-tunes and executing gravity-defying dance moves, the late Michael Jackson apparently had an inventive streak. It has come to light that the singer holds a patent on shoes that help create “an impressive visual effect” in one of his famous dance moves. The patent on a “system for […]
Former US Official To Launch Networking “Platform” In Geneva 30/06/2009 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Alicia Greenidge, until recently director general of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA), plans to launch a new platform in Geneva to “build relationships between developing countries, governments, organisations and industries,” according to a press release from IFPMA[pdf]. No other details about the new project appear to be available, and Greenidge did […]
WHO R&D Financing Group To Parse New Ideas, Look For Ways Forward 29/06/2009 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Perhaps the single most critical issue to resolve in addressing neglected diseases is how to ensure there is money to pay for research and clinical trials, even when the consumer demand is small and its constituents poor. A group of experts under the auspices of the World Health Organization this week is attempting to address the problem.
La crise financière présente des opportunités et des risques pour l’innovation verte 25/06/2009 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment LAUSANNE – « Rien ne vaut une bonne crise », si l’on en croit la sagesse populaire. Voilà une formule que les décideurs pourraient reprendre pour inciter le monde à adopter une économie plus verte et davantage fondée sur la connaissance. Telle est la conclusion à laquelle a abouti un groupe de discussion à l’École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EFPL) le 18 juin. La crise financière actuelle et l’éveil des consciences vis-à-vis de la crise écologique sont l’opportunité unique pour l’innovation, notamment l’innovation verte, de prendre les devants de l’économie du futur.
WHO Or Who Should Guarantee The Right To Health? 24/06/2009 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment With implementation of the World Health Organization strategy on intellectual property and innovation beginning in earnest, international experts this week debated how human rights could be infused into global health strategies – including the possibility of new international agreements on research and development – and whether WHO is up to the task.
Video Wants To Be Free And Open Too: IP Policy Considerations 23/06/2009 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Video is becoming an increasingly important communication tool on the web, but questions must be asked about its future, said speakers a recent conference. Will it be a medium of self-expression, available for all, or a translation of television to the internet, where content is provided by some and consumed by the rest? A gathering of technologists, academics, filmmakers and others in New York last week issued a call for a freer video culture.
“Pseudo Bagels” Better With A Side Of IP? 23/06/2009 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The spectre of gastronomic imperfection has long haunted connoisseurs of the fine foods of regions in countries like France and Italy. But Canada has been less concerned about the protecting its homegrown flavours. This means the Canadians are powerless to prevent others from usurping the name of their Montreal bagels, reported Jeff Roberts of the […]
Internet Rallies Behind Iranian Protesters 19/06/2009 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment As a media crackdown in Iran suppressed major news outlets, and even, reportedly, major social networking sites such as Facebook, social media site Twitter has become critical in providing up-to-the-second news as to what is happening on the ground in Iran. The microblogging site is quickly proving it is more than just a place for […]