On Eve Of Lego Movie 2 Release, WIPO Acts To Block Pirated Version 07/02/2019 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment As the blockbuster animated movie Lego Movie 2 gets set to hit screens in the United States this weekend, the World Intellectual Property Organization had a release of its own: a domain dispute ruling against a pirate website purporting to offer a free version of the film for download ahead of the release.
Trump Highlights IP, Trade, Drug Prices In Speech To Congress 06/02/2019 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment President Donald Trump gave the US Congress a rosy, nationalistic presentation of the condition of the US economy and security last night and amid the range of issues raised, mentioned intellectual property twice in the context of trade, and extensively discussed lowering drug prices.
US IP Enforcement Coordinator Under Trump Asks, “What Can We Do Differently?” 05/02/2019 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The Trump administration is taking the US intellectual property enforcement coordinator’s role in new directions, building on past administrations but trying to address ways it has not been effective in the past, according to the annual report of the coordinator, released yesterday.
DNDi, MMV Make 400 Compounds Available To Boost Pandemic Disease Research 29/01/2019 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) and Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) today announced the launch of the “Pandemic Response Box”, which offers researchers open access to 400 compounds that could lead to development of new treatments for pandemic diseases. In return, researchers “will be expected to share data resulting from research on the molecules from the box in the public domain within 2 years of its generation.”
WHO Director Tedros: Innovation, Digital Health A Major Pillar In WHO Transformation 24/01/2019 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The World Health Organization is significantly upgrading its focus on digital health and innovation as it moves into a new era, renovating literally every aspect of the organisation, the WHO director general told member states today.
WHO Cancer Report Stirs Debate On Eve Of Board Meeting 23/01/2019 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments As the World Health Organization Executive Board gathers tomorrow for its annual January meeting, health industry and advocacy groups have seized on a WHO report to be presented to the Board that finds high prices for cancer medicines are “impairing” governments’ ability to provide affordable treatments. One issue they may have in common is a desire for more transparency in analyses of prices.
Nearly 100 European Authors Demand ‘Proportionate’ Remuneration In EU Copyright Directive 17/01/2019 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment With negotiations for the European Union Copyright Directive apparently approaching an end, a group of some 95 screenwriters and directors joined the intensive lobbying efforts with a letter today urging that a principle of “proportionate” remuneration to them be enshrined. The letter spells out several elements they argue are key to ensuring European audiovisual authors are able to “make a living from our craft and creativity.”
Krause Named USPTO Deputy General Counsel, Solicitor 10/01/2019 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) today announced the appointment of a veteran USPTO official to the position of deputy general counsel and solicitor.
US IP Attachés: China’s IP Policy ‘Hijacked’ By Local Interests In 2018; Bad Faith Filings A ‘Cancer’ 21/12/2018 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment WASHINGTON, DC – Two out of three United States intellectual property attachés based in China last week had tough words for China’s manipulation of IP policy and law over the past year, suggesting they at times “hijack” the legal process in favour of local interests, and are in a mad rush to become the world’s top patent and trademark filers regardless of quality to the point that it has become a “cancer” on the IP registration system. A third US IP attaché, however, took a friendlier and more patient view of China’s actions, downplaying concerns and urging US companies to allow it to continue.
Singapore IP Office Grants First Accelerated Patent Under New FinTech Initiative 10/12/2018 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) has granted its first accelerated patent under its new FinTech Fast Track initiative last week to Voyager Innovations, a technology company based in Southeast Asia, according to an IPOS press release. “While patent grants typically take at least two to four years, and in many cases even longer, […]