When Machines Create Intellectual Property, Who Owns What? 16/02/2017 by Bruce Gain for Intellectual Property Watch 5 Comments The concept of machines that can think and create in ways that are indistinguishable from humans has been the stuff of science fiction for decades. Now, following major advances in artificial intelligence (AI), intellectual property created by machines without human input is fast becoming a reality. The development thus begs the question among legal scholars, legislative bodies, and judiciary branches of governments worldwide of who owns the intellectual property that humans did not create.
European Parliament Passes CETA After Debate Over Whether It’s A Good Or Bad Deal 15/02/2017 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments After a somewhat tumultous debate, the European Parliament today in Strasbourg voted in favor of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) with Canada. With 408 members of Parliament voting in favour and 254 against (33 abstentions) the 1598-page thick deal can become provisionally effective as early as April. The national parliaments still have to ratify it over the coming months, and possibly years.
Kenya Works With Communities On Genetic Resources And Traditional Knowledge Protection 15/02/2017 by Justus Wanzala for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment NAIROBI, Kenya — Excessive degradation and over-exploitation of plant biodiversity in Kenya has led to depletion of some species and narrowed their genetic base. Apart from the conservation challenge, utilisation and sharing of benefits from plant genetic resources and traditional and associated knowledge among communities has also remained opaque despite constitutional guarantees.
EU Court Of Justice: EU Is Competent To Ratify Marrakesh Treaty 14/02/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments The European Union ratification of a treaty allowing an exception to copyright for the benefit of visually impaired people might be yet one step closer as the Court of Justice of the EU found today that the EU has exclusive competence to conclude it.
European Parliament Demands Transparency In Expert Groups, Protection For Whistleblowers 14/02/2017 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The European Commission is reforming the way it populates its “expert groups” which has been criticized as unbalanced and non-transparent for years. But the European Parliament is not satisfied. In a report on its own initiative passed in Strasbourg today practically unanimously (663 in favour, 16 against, 13 abstentions), the Parliament requested the Commission make public how it decides the composition of expert groups and explain which interest groups are to be represented and how geographical and political interests will be balanced.
WIPO Broadcasting Treaty: What Broadcasters Really Want To Protect Their Business From Piracy 09/02/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment In discussion for close to 16 years at the World Intellectual Property Organization, a treaty aimed at protecting broadcasting organisations’ intellectual property rights has not reached conclusion. Intellectual Property Watch sat down recently with the European Broadcasting Union to understand what broadcasters actually say they need to protect their businesses against piracy. As to what they see hindering the technical resolution of the treaty? Politics.
US Chamber International IP Index: US, Europe At Top; India Needs A Push 08/02/2017 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The United States Chamber of Commerce today released its fifth annual International IP Index, which makes the case for the positive impact of intellectual property on economies. The United States scored highest, followed by top European economies and Japan. And near the bottom was India, despite recent efforts to accept the IP system. Separately, the report assesses international trade rules for IP and argues for nations to negotiate “TRIPS-plus” agreements.
Potential Treaty To Protect Broadcasters’ IP Rights: Technicalities Explained 08/02/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Negotiations for a treaty providing protections for broadcasting organisations have been long and difficult at the World Intellectual Property Organization. In the corridors of WIPO, questions to a number of delegates are often answered with a puzzled look and what seems to be little understanding of technical issues. Intellectual Property Watch recently tried to untangle some of the technicalities of the discussions.
The New Caribbean Patent Convention And Caricom Stasis 06/02/2017 by Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments Abiola Inniss writes: The creation of the Caribbean Patent Convention under the auspices of Caricom is a long awaited and most welcome development towards the harmonization of intellectual property laws in the region. Even more importantly, it is an indication that Caricom leadership has at long last, after a lengthy period of stagnation and indeterminacy, finally decided to engage the process of thought and action necessary for the promulgation of a legal and regulatory framework for Caribbean intellectual property. The convention is expected to be enacted later in 2017.
Report Puts Value Of Counterfeit/Pirated Goods At US$2 Trillion By 2022 06/02/2017 by Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments A new report by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the International Trademark Association (INTA) estimates that some US$213 billion was lost to digital piracy in movies, music and software in 2015. The report also projects that by 2022, the total value of counterfeit and pirated goods in the world will reach somewhere between US$1.9 to 2.8 trillion.