US Congress Passes Act Implementing Patent Law Treaties 06/12/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The United States Congress passed a bill on 5 December that implements several international treaty obligations, including a treaty on industrial design, according to sources. The bill now heads to President Obama for signature.
European Commission Embarks On Process To ‘Modernise’ Copyright 06/12/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The European Commission today (5 December) agreed on a process to ensure copyright is best suited for the digital age with the aim of possible legislative reform in 2014. Commissioners in a meeting decided to launch a stakeholder dialogue immediately, and to complete market studies, impact assessment and legal drafting work.
Libraries, NGOs Warn EU Commissioners Against Restrictive Copyright Licensing 05/12/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments A diverse group of more than two dozen groups representing libraries, digital civil liberties, free software and an open, user-friendly internet has called on European commissioners to refrain from overly restrictive copyright licensing policies and to consider flexibilities to copyright to encourage knowledge access. The commissioners were expected to meet today to discuss possible changes to EU copyright law.
Industry Groups Urge European Commission To Back Strong Copyright In Upcoming Debate 03/12/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 4 Comments Groups representing European publishers, writers and collective management organisations are urging the European Commission to support their interests as it considers initiatives on copyright policy this week. The groups asked the Commission to back stronger copyright and resist calls for greater exceptions and limitations to copyright.
Video Available Of Event On Standards-Essential Patents 03/12/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The Washington Legal Foundation held an event on 29 November entitled, “Standards-Essential Patents: Where Do IP Protections End and Antitrust Concerns Begin?” The video of the event has been made publicly available.
US Isolated In Opposition To WIPO Treaty For The Blind, Group Says 03/12/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The United States now stands alone in its opposition to a World Intellectual Property Organization treaty on copyright exceptions for blind and and other print-disabled readers, the World Blind Union (WBU) said today.
South African Government Draws Many Views On Draft New National IP Policy 27/11/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Harmonisation of Africa’s seed laws: death knell for African seed systems The African Centre for Biosafety (ACB) has released its new report titled, ‘Harmonisation of Africa’s seed laws: a recipe for disaster- Players, motives and dynamics”. The report shows how African governments are being co-opted into harmonising seed laws relating to border control measures, phytosanitary […]
UNITAID: Alternative Funding Mechanism For AIDS Drugs Saving Lives 27/11/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment UNITAID, an alternative funding mechanism for pharmaceuticals to the poor, said today that its work has helped develop new ways to treat children infected with HIV where there was previously little commercial incentive. The statement alongside the World AIDS Day announcement that the number of newly infected children continues to decline. UNITAID called for the international community to help children already living with the disease.
European Commission, ARIPO Sign Agreement On Agricultural GIs 27/11/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The European Commission and African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) yesterday signed a cooperation agreement on the protection of traditional agricultural products from specific geographical locations or with specific characteristics.
USPTO Director Kappos To Depart In January 26/11/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment David Kappos, the director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), will leave at the end of January, a USPTO spokesperson confirmed today.