US Supreme Court Rules On Golan v. Holder, Key Public Domain Case 18/01/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The United States Supreme Court today ruled on one of the top intellectual property legal cases expected this year. The case questioned whether the US Congress acted constitutionally when it restored copyright to millions of foreign works that had been in the public domain in the US. And it affirmed Congress’ actions, allowing the US to avoid questions of compliance with its international obligations.
EU Innovation Commissioner Presents Horizon 2020 18/01/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The European Union Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science today introduced the US policy community to Horizon 2020, the large-scale new multi-year research and innovation funding programme the EU is preparing to undertake.
All Eyes On US Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA): Fate Of Bill Now Unclear 17/01/2012 by Liza Porteus Viana, Intellectual Property Watch 5 Comments As of today, no one is really sure what the future holds for the controversial internet anti-piracy bills in the United States.
Change Of Year Brings Changes In IP Community 16/01/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The turning of a new year offers the opportunity to catch up on a range of recent personnel changes in the international IP policy and legal communities.
Danish EU Presidency Priorities Include Research, Innovation, IP Rights 16/01/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Among Denmark’s many priorities for its six-month presidency of the European Union which started this month are advancing intellectual property rights, international trade, research and innovation. IP issues include a unitary EU patent, trademark rules modernisation, and orphan works legislation.
USPTO In Obama’s Proposed Consolidation Of Trade-Related US Agencies? 13/01/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment US President Obama today announced a proposal to combine six government agencies working in areas of international trade and economics, aimed at boosting efficiency. This includes the Commerce Department, which currently houses the US Patent and Trademark Office, and it appears it would affect the USPTO.
The Year Ahead 2012: Top IP Legal Issues In The United States 13/01/2012 by Steven Seidenberg for Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments This year could bring major changes in US intellectual property law. Congress and the nation’s courts will be confronting a variety of issues that have broad ramifications for copyrights, trademarks and patents. Here are some of the top developments to watch in 2012.
Next TPP Talks In March But Intersessionals Ongoing; Canada Seeks Views On Joining 12/01/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The next round of negotiations for a Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement is expected to be held in March in Australia, but secretive intersessional meetings on a variety of topics are being held in the meantime. Meanwhile, the Canadian government is considering joining the TPP talks, and is asking for public comments on the idea by 14 February.
US Competitiveness Report Shows Struggle With Balance Of IP And Access 09/01/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment A new report from the United States Department of Commerce on competitiveness and innovation details the US need to boost innovation in order to compete globally and grow the economy. But while it stresses the need for strong intellectual property rights enforcement to create high-priced monopolies as an incentive for innovation, it also acknowledges that access to inexpensive technology and ideas is key to innovation and entrepreneurship. Furthermore, it shows that the rise in IP rights in recent years has been accompanied by a drop in innovation.
Change In USPTO Representation At WIPO Could Reflect Shift In Priorities 05/01/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The sudden change in officials in charge of international policy at the United States Patent and Trademark Office could reflect shifting priorities at the World Intellectual Property Organization.