ITU To Hold High-Level Talks On “Innovation-Stifling, Rampant” Patent Litigation 06/07/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The UN International Telecommunication Union (ITU) today announced it will hold a high-level meeting on the global surge in standards-related patent litigation which it said is stifling innovation in information and communications technology.
New UN Human Rights Council Resolution On Internet Rights 05/07/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments The United Nations Human Rights Council has adopted a new resolution on the promotion, protection and enjoyment of human rights on the internet. The resolution ties such rights to development, and is said to be the first UN resolution to put online human rights on par with those offline.
European Parliament Rejection Puts ACTA Future In Doubt 04/07/2012 by William New and Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch 20 Comments Today’s overwhelming defeat of the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) by the European Parliament could have a resounding effect on the treaty’s prospects for survival, according to sources. Meanwhile, public interest groups are celebrating and copyright holders fuming.
US Proposes 3-Step Test For Copyright Exceptions In Trans-Pacific Trade Talks 04/07/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) on 3 July announced the proposal of a new provision for a trade agreement that will put copyright exceptions and limitations to a 3-step test. The text of the provision was not made available to the public, and reaction to the news by public interest groups has been cautious.
US Awards Contract For Key Internet Function To ICANN 03/07/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The United States government on 2 July announced it has awarded a contract to the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) to manage a key underlying function of the internet for up to 7 years.
Nagoya Protocol Access & Benefit-Sharing Meeting Kicks Off In New Delhi 03/07/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A key committee of the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-Sharing treaty aimed at ensuring fair sharing of the benefits of genetic resources is meeting this week in New Delhi.
UN Drugs And Crime Office Open To Private Donations To Fight Counterfeits 02/07/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A little-known United Nations office fighting illicit drugs and counterfeit goods globally appears to be building a programme of private sector donations for its anti-counterfeiting work.
UK Announces Updates To Copyright Licensing 02/07/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The United Kingdom government will publish draft updates to the UK copyright licensing system later this week, keeping strong criminal penalties, it said today.
WHO Report Details Accountability In Director Chan’s First Term 02/07/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment World Health Organization Director General Margaret Chan was re-elected for another term at the annual May World Health Assembly. Now the WHO has issued a “report card” showing how she kept her promises during the first term. This includes a range of steps to ensure new drugs are affordable and accessible, even if intellectual property rights make them high-priced.
Europe Reaches Agreement On Unitary Patent 29/06/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 8 Comments After years of at times embarrassing political and procedural wrangling, members of the European Union today agreed to create a single patent system for 25 EU member states, including a unified patent court split between Paris, Munich and London. The decision also contains a copyright element.