UNITAID Drug Patent Pool Implementation Hinges On Board 11/12/2009 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments Implementation of a United Nations-related patent pool initiative that independent reviewers say could save millions of lives (and dollars) is set to be approved next week by the initiative’s board, though some observers fear resistance from strong patent beneficiaries, such as the foundation run by Microsoft founder Bill Gates. A confidential report on the initiative prepared for board approval is expected to show multiple benefits to implementation of the pool, but also some concerns, according to informed sources.
Copenhagen Attendees: Techies, Greenies, Political Posturers, Commerce Opportunists 10/12/2009 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The provisional list of registered participants to the 7-18 December United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP15) in Copenhagen is out, and a look at it reveals the variety of people considered relevant to the timely and cross-cutting issue. A look at the United States delegation alone shows the wide representation from across the Obama administration […]
GAO Reviews US Overseas IP Attachés 09/12/2009 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The placement of specialised United States government intellectual property attachés overseas, such as in Beijing and Guangzhou, China; New Delhi, India; and Bangkok, Thailand, has had an overall positive impact on coordination of international IP enforcement efforts, the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) testified to Congress today. The GAO is an independent research arm of […]
Industry Intellectual Property Enforcers Named To New Posts 08/12/2009 by Catherine Saez and William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA) today announced the appointment of a new director of intellectual property and trade, effective 7 December. Meanwhile, in the United States, new coordinator for IP enforcement has been cleared.
USPTO Will Speed Reviews Of Green Tech Patents 07/12/2009 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The United States Patent and Trademark Office today announced a pilot programme to accelerate examination of some environmental technology patent applications to speed commercialisation. The US-oriented initiative was announced by US Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, who oversees the patent office, as an entry to the United Nations climate conference in Copenhagen. The Obama administration has […]
WTO Ends Ministerial With No Agreements, Modest Treatment Of IP 02/12/2009 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The World Trade Organization today wrapped up its first ministerial meeting in four years with no decisions or breakthroughs (as expected) but an informal agreement to consider by March whether members can complete the longstanding round of negotiations in 2010. Meanwhile, intellectual property issues played a tangential role in ministers’ discussions, but made several notable appearances.
Lisbon Treaty Updates EU; New Commissioners Named 02/12/2009 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 5 Comments On 1 December, the Treaty of Lisbon entered into force, bringing a variety of changes across the European Union. Also this week, a new administrative cabinet has been named to represent the European Commission for the next five years, along with some changes in the structure of the EU administrative body.
Pharmaceutical Patents In The Pool 01/12/2009 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Several non-governmental organisations used the World Aids Day to promote the patent pool initiative underway at UNITAID that is expected by proponents to enhance access to second line HIV/AIDS drugs. Action Against AIDS, a German NGO, released thousands of balloons in capsule form over Berlin while handing over 28,000 to representatives of Abbott, Bristol-Meyer-Squibb and […]
ICC IP Guidelines Issued At Anti-Piracy Gala 01/12/2009 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The International Chamber of Commerce released its “Intellectual Property Guidelines for Business” in Spanish and Portuguese during a special session at the 1-3 December Fifth Global Congress on Combating Counterfeiting and Piracy in Cancun, Mexico. The IP guidelines “provide information to businesses on practical steps they can take to protect their own innovation and creativity […]
Multilateral Trading System Under Scrutiny At WTO Ministerial 30/11/2009 by William New and Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The World Trade Organization’s first full ministerial in four years is not a negotiating forum. Rather, it is bringing together some 150 trade ministers for some soul-searching on the state of the multilateral system and the work of the WTO. Measuring the event’s success (or failure, as in some past ministerials) will be difficult, but new directions may be infused into the 15-year-old organisation and a high-level political statement may be used to drive trade negotiations forward in the coming year.