WIPO Publishes Guide To Tackling Issues In Access & Benefit-Sharing Agreements 09/07/2018 by Adithi Koushik for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The World Intellectual Property Organization has published a guide to access and benefit-sharing agreements for use of genetic resources.
European Parliament Rejects Starting Negotiations On Copyright Reform Proposal 05/07/2018 by Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The European Parliament today opposed plans to launch immediate “trilogue” negotiations with the Council and European Commission on copyright reform legislation, instead sending the controversial measure to full debate at the next plenary session of Parliament.
Helping Understand The Internet Phenomenon: Interview With New ISOC CEO Andrew Sullivan 05/07/2018 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments Starting 1 September, Andrew Sullivan takes on the role as CEO and President of the Internet Society. Selected by the ISOC Board of Trustees, Sullivan looks like an apt bridge builder between the world of internet technology and the world of policymakers. Equipped with experience in developing technology at Dyn, a DNS company recently acquired by Oracle, and a tenure as Chair of the Internet Architecture Board, a peer body of the standards body Internet Engineering Task Force, Sullivan has a degree in philosophy and is no stranger to public sphere theorist Juergen Habermas. After the heavy attack on Dyns DNS network, via low-cost cameras – the so-called Mirai attack – the Canadian warned against knee-jerk attempts for regulation, but acknowledged that technological solutions might need some assistance from policymakers. Answering questions with journalist Monika Ermert in writing from the meeting of the ISOC Board of Trustees in Panama, Sullivan diplomatically underlined that collaboration is key for everything on the internet. In his new position, Sullivan follows Kathy Brown, a former AT&T manager.
Controversial EU Parliament Copyright Reform Vote Tomorrow; 1,300 Musicians Urge Support 04/07/2018 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The European Parliament votes tomorrow on whether to allow negotiations with the Council to begin on controversial copyright reform legislation. The proposed updated rules have sparked intense lobbying by supporters and foes alike, including, one lawmaker said at a press briefing today, death threats.
145 Organisations Urge EU Vote Against JURI Mandate On Copyright 03/07/2018 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Some 145 organisations have signed an open letter urging European Parliament to vote against the Legal Affairs (JURI) Committee mandate to negotiate on copyright reform. The European Parliament will meet on 5 July for a plenary vote on whether or not to endorse the mandate.
Leaders On Global Trade Discuss Leadership And Current Trade Challenges 03/07/2018 by Damilola Adepeju for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A recent event jointly organised by the Graduate Institute Centre for Trade and Economic Integration and the United Kingdom Department for International Trade and its Mission to the WTO brought together several leaders on global trade to discuss the current challenges in trade and how best to address them.
WIPO Marrakesh Treaty On Copyright Exceptions For Blind Readers Clears US Senate 29/06/2018 by Intellectual Property Watch 4 Comments The World Intellectual Property Organization Marrakesh Treaty on copyright exceptions enabling international access to published works by blind and print-disabled readers was ratified this week by the United States Senate, putting it one step closer to final ratification in the country.
eLife Trialing Radical New Approach To Peer Review 28/06/2018 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment eLife, an online publisher of research in the life and biomedical sciences, is trialing a radical new approach to peer review to increase editorial transparency and promote more efficient access to innovative new research.
Australian Tobacco Plain Packaging Upheld In Decision At WTO 28/06/2018 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments A World Trade Organization dispute settlement panel has ruled that Australia’s law requiring tobacco products be sold in plain packages in the interest of public health does not violate the country’s obligations at the global trade body. In Australia and increasingly in other countries, tobacco must be sold with no trademarks or marketing visible other than name. The landmark dispute was seen by some as at the nexus of economic and health interests for the WTO.
Indigenous Knowledge Databases: Is It Something To Be Concerned About? 28/06/2018 by Adithi Koushik for Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments Almost all information today ends up in a database. It is organised and made readily accessible. While it sounds positive, for indigenous communities, it can be crucial. Databases of their knowledge, culture, and genetic resources, if misused, can undermine generations of community effort and maybe even their sustainability. A panel of indigenous peoples’ representatives presented their concerns about databases this week to governments attending a World Intellectual Property Organization meeting on genetic resources.