At UN Indigenous Forum, WIPO Gives Update On Negotiations 10/05/2016 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The World Intellectual Property Organization, a United Nations agency, today gave the UN in New York an update of ongoing negotiations for the protection of indigenous knowledge and genetic resources.
As Patients Wait, WHO Members Chip Away At Decision On Medical R&D Funding 09/05/2016 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 6 Comments A number of World Health Organization member states attended a meeting last week aimed finding ways to sustainably finance research and development for medical products, especially those for poor populations lacking means to pay high prices. According to the outcome document and a WHO official, they heard many viewpoints from experts and made progress but much was left for the World Health Assembly later this month.
Over 70 Groups Urge EU Telecom Regulators To Uphold Net Neutrality 05/05/2016 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Dozens of civil society organisations this week sent a letter urging European telecommunications regulators to preserve internet neutrality in their current negotiations about the future of the internet in Europe.
Citing “Toxic” Environment, US Congress Members Urge Secretary Kerry To Get UN Report On WIPO 04/05/2016 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The bipartisan heads of several United States congressional subcommittees have sent a letter urging the Obama administration to obtain the full and uncensored United Nations report on an investigation into possible misconduct by the head of the World Intellectual Property Organization. Meanwhile, procedural wrangling may be taking place within WIPO on who has the right to suppress or see the report.
Alleged Leaked TTIP Report Reveals Differences, Convergence On IP Issues 03/05/2016 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments This week’s high-profile alleged leak of recent texts of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) negotiation between Europe and the United States sent a shockwave in policy circles. Below, Intellectual Property Watch highlights some of the IP-related elements in the text.
MSF Issues In-Depth Report On R&D And Drug Prices 02/05/2016 by Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF, Doctor Without Borders) today announced a report detailing what it calls failings in the current system for developing new drugs in ways that all patients can afford and access, and providing proposed policy options for addressing the problems.
On IP Protection, USTR Finds Fault With China, India … And Switzerland? 27/04/2016 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) does not hesitate to add even its closest friends to its annual list of concerns about possible inadequate protection of US intellectual property rights. So this year, along with perennial listees China, India and dozens of others, vigorous IP-rights defender Switzerland makes an appearance. The annual Special 301 report was issued today, and in its press release this year, USTR also included its primary client in publishing the list – the rightsholder industry.
Irony? Publisher Celebrates IP By Revoking IP 26/04/2016 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment There’s no better way to celebrate something than by doing the opposite of it. That seems to be the message of a leading publishing company. In a campaign today to hail the virtues of intellectual property, it appears to be hoping to gain goodwill – and possibly some sales – by removing intellectual property on its products.
At WIPO: All-Women Panel Of Broadcast Journalists Discuss Revolution In Industry 22/04/2016 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment “What we are going through is nothing short of a revolution,” announced a leading radio and television broadcast editor, speaking yesterday at a World Intellectual Property Organization event on digital content. But the revolution seems to be coming in “snack-sized” portions, said speakers.
WIPO IP And Development Conference Looks At Dynamic IP Systems 19/04/2016 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Countries develop intellectual property systems in different ways, and a recent conference at the World Intellectual Property Organization delved into some thoughts about, and examples of, how this is done.