ITU In A Converging World — Interview With ITU Strategist Alexander Ntoko 06/04/2010 by Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments The International Telecommunication Union, based in Geneva, is a 191-member United Nations body. Intellectual Property Watch recently spoke with Alexander Ntoko, a top strategist in the organisation about priorities in this critical year, inclusion of the public interest, and how convergence is bringing more issues related to digital content to the traditional telecom body.
China’s Latest Draft Disposal Rules For Patents In Standards A Step Forward? 01/04/2010 by Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments On 21 January, 2010, the China National Institute of Standardization (CNIS) issued and requested comments from all stakeholders on its Disposal Rules for Inclusion of Patents in National Standards (Disposal Rules).
Unbiased HIV Patent Pool — A Free-Market, Middle-Income Countries Open Model 01/04/2010 by Intellectual Property Watch 4 Comments Brand name pharmaceutical companies’ concerns about profit losses related to the UNITAID patent pool might undermine access to newer and appropriate HIV medicine formulations in resource-limited settings. A universally agreed strategy to supplement UNITAID plan is therefore needed, writes Daniele Dionisio.
March/April Edition Of IP-Watch Monthly Reporter Now Available 31/03/2010 by Intellectual Property Watch, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The Intellectual Property Watch Monthly Edition features top news on international IP policymaking, the latest on who is coming and going in the international IP community, news briefs and more. The March/April edition is now available for subscribers at: http://www.ip-watch.org/user/newsletter.
Proponents Seek To Develop Policy Potential Of US Geographical Indications 31/03/2010 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Advocates of stronger protection of geographical indications are working to develop greater awareness in Geneva policy circles, trying to win over countries reluctant to adopt a specific GI protection system.
Forest Group Decision Has Led To Great Rise In Patent Marking Lawsuits 22/03/2010 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The recent Forest Group case decided by the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) has made it more financially viable for plaintiffs to sue for under the false marking patent statute (35 U.S.C. § 292). However, legislation currently before Congress, as well as another patent marking case to be decided by the CAFC in the near future, Pequignot v. Solo Cup, may level the playing field more towards defendants in such lawsuits.
The US-Cotton Case — The Truth Behind Brazil’s Cross-Retaliation Against US Intellectual Property 18/03/2010 by Intellectual Property Watch 9 Comments In a recent speech at the Export-Import Bank’s annual conference, US President Obama said the US Trade Representative will use its “full arsenal” to combat “practices that blatantly harm” US businesses, and that includes “enforcing existing [US] agreements.” The question is: will the US comply with its multilateral obligations under the WTO agreement in the US-Brazil cotton case, says Brazilian academic Pedro Paranaguá.
Public Health Policy In 2010: Research Funding And Regulations 17/03/2010 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Finding ways to fund research and regulating medication is critical to international public health policy and intellectual property rights specialists in 2010.
Indian Civil Society Raises Concerns Over US Industry-Sponsored IP Summits 11/03/2010 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments Public interest groups in India are raising questions over annual summits involving Indian judges and policymakers that are being funded by major western industry groups, in particular pharmaceutical companies. At this year’s summit, held recently, a section of India’s patent law which prevents the extension of monopoly power for incremental innovations came under attack, the groups have said.
New US Senate Patent Reform Bill Brings Many Reactions 11/03/2010 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Reactions have emerged since last week’s release by United States Senate Judiciary Committee bipartisan leaders of details of compromise legislation to reform of US patent laws. Most are generally positive, signalling that a long-sought compromise might be near, but strong reservations remain among some stakeholders.