Public Forum Debate On WTO’s Future Touches On IP Issues 02/10/2006 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen The implementation process of global intellectual property rules was debated at a recent World Trade Organization public forum, which focused on the overall future of the organisation. According to the WTO, the 25-26 September forum drew some 1,000 participants from civil society who are not normally taking the centre stage […]
US Seeks Review Of WHO Publication Policy After Report On US Trade Deals 28/09/2006 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment By Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen A senior United States health official in Washington is urging the head of the World Health Organization to withdraw a WHO-sponsored publication that is critical of US trade policy, charging possible organisational incompetence and calling for a full review of its publication procedures. “The WHO Secretariat’s decision to publish the […]
New Intergovernmental Initiative Highlights IP Flexibilities For Drug Prices 21/09/2006 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen A new international intergovernmental health initiative tied to airplane taxes highlights the use of flexibilities in intellectual property laws as an option for reducing drug prices. The plan is being welcomed by non-governmental organisations that have been lobbying for this point. The initiative is an international drug purchase facility and […]
Newcomer Howard Zucker, Former US Official, To Head WHO IP Group 19/09/2006 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen Speculation since May about who will lead the secretariat in a new intergovernmental working group on intellectual property and public health at the World Health Organization may now be put to rest as it is official that the post will go to Howard Zucker, WHO sources say. Zucker is the […]
Nine Candidates Proposed For WHO Director General Position 31/08/2006 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment By Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen The 5 September deadline to fill the top leadership post at the World Health Organization (WHO) is drawing nearer and at least eight candidates have been put forward, of which six are from developing countries and two are women. The formal list of the candidates will be published on 6 […]
El grupo de trabajo sobre propiedad intelectual de la OMS se enfrenta a conflictos previo a la reunión de diciembre 18/08/2006 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Por Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen. Se informó que está prevista para diciembre la primera reunión del grupo de trabajo intergubernamental sobre salud pública y propiedad intelectual que, según expresó la Asamblea Mundial de la Salud en mayo, debía establecerse “de inmediato”. Sin embargo, parece que coordinar el asunto no fue tarea fácil para la Organización […]
L’OMS coordonne un groupe de travail sur la propriété intellectuelle 17/08/2006 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Par Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen. En mai, l’Assemblée mondiale de la Santé avait souhaité la mise en place «immédiate» d’un groupe de travail intergouvernemental sur la santé publique et la propriété intellectuelle. D’après les informations dont nous disposons, la première réunion du groupe de travail sera reportée au mois de décembre et se tiendra à […]
Kenya Fights To Retain IP Flexibilities For Medicines Imports 09/08/2006 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments By Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen A second attempt in Kenya to restrict intellectual property flexibilities meant to safeguard access to medicines has most likely been defeated, largely due to opposition from an interagency task force and civil society groups, local sources said. But although key politicians have indicated that proposed changes to Kenya’s intellectual property […]
Brazil Publishes Biodiversity Generic Name List 04/08/2006 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments Brazil has published a list of more than 5,000 generic terms from the Portuguese language related to Brazilian plant biological diversity to raise awareness and prevent further misuse of trademarks that hinder Brazilian exports. The Brazilian government has been, and is, involved in a number of trademark disputes with companies that, for example, take a […]
WHO IP Working Group To Address Conflicting Interests Before December Meeting 25/07/2006 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment An intergovernmental working group on public health and intellectual property, which the World Health Assembly said in May should be set up “immediately,” is scheduled to meet for the first time in December in Geneva, according to informed sources. But apparently it is no easy task for the World Health Organization (WHO) to coordinate the […]