First Egyptian Approval Of Genetically Modified Corn Raises Questions 16/06/2008 by Wagdy Sawahel for Intellectual Property Watch 4 Comments By Wagdy Sawahel for Intellectual Property Watch With Egypt’s recent approval of the cultivation and commercialisation of a pest-resistant corn variety that marked the first legal introduction of genetically modified crops into the Arab world, the Egyptian scientific community is having mixed reactions. The approval of a genetically modified crop variety owned by biotechnology company […]
Iran’s New Law On IP Protection Moves It Onto International Stage 13/06/2008 by Wagdy Sawahel for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment By Wagdy Sawahel for Intellectual Property Watch Iran has adopted a new law on the “registration of inventions, industrial designs and trademarks” in a bid to come to grips with the fast-paced changes in the world of trade and industry and developments in the area of intellectual property. The new law was first passed by […]
General Electric’s View On Green IP And Technology 12/06/2008 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment General Electric’s Ecomagination is an initiative launched in 2005 as a gathering/focal point for extant green technology as well as new research and development into clean technology. Ecomagination’s products include technologies for cleaner energy, notably wind turbines for collecting wind energy, photovoltaic tiles for solar energy, and a series of ‘Jenbacher’ engines using waste products […]
US Presidential Campaign Officials Talk ‘IP Tsars’ and Network Neutrality 30/05/2008 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment By Kaitlin Mara The next United States president must make access to knowledge and technology policy a priority, participants at a conference on computers, freedom, and privacy protection last week told representatives of the leading presidential campaigns. Campaign representatives for Senator Barack Obama, the Democratic frontrunner, and Senator John McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee, discussed […]
WHO Adopts “Most Important Document Since Doha” On IP And Public Health 29/05/2008 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 4 Comments By William New The annual World Health Assembly on Saturday adopted a global strategy aimed at filling the research gap for diseases afflicting developing countries that places the UN agency squarely in global intellectual property policymaking and despite compromises is the most significant reference document on IP and public health in years, according to sources […]
Not All Patents Created Equal, Technology Policy Experts Say 28/05/2008 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment By Kaitlin Mara NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT – The efficacy of the patent system is not equivalent across all industries, and appears to be particularly ineffective in software, said a panel at the Computers, Freedom, and Privacy conference held at Yale University last week. The presence of a one-size-fits-all patent system is not optimal, said Brian […]
UN Events Map Efforts To Narrow Digital Divide, Increase Information Access 16/05/2008 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By Kaitlin Mara Nearly three weeks of meetings of governments, civil society organisations, trade groups, and intergovernmental bodies will report on how far nations have come towards bridging the so-called “digital divide” between those who have access to information technology and all of its attendant benefits, and those whom the digital revolution is passing by. […]
Bush Administration Presses On For Patent Reform Bill This Year 16/05/2008 by Liza Porteus Viana, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By Liza Porteus Viana for Intellectual Property Watch Despite an apparent stalemate on patent reform in the United States Congress, the Bush administration is still pushing for a bill to be completed this congressional session. Speaking in California’s Silicon Valley this week, US Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez acknowledged that talks over S 1145, the Patent […]
European Patent Forum Weighs Usefulness Of IP System For Climate Change 14/05/2008 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By Kaitlin Mara This year’s European Patent Forum concluded with a clear consensus on the importance of addressing the problem of climate change but with no clear way forward on how the intellectual property system might help. But leading figures at the forum suggested that more innovation and significant improvements in the IP system might […]
WHO IP And Health Group Concludes With Progress; Tough Issues Remain For Assembly 06/05/2008 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments Note: The latest version of the draft strategy (dated Saturday, 3 May, 14.00h) is now available on the WHO website [click here]. By Kaitlin Mara and William New The World Health Organization (WHO) negotiations on public health, intellectual property and innovation ended Saturday with substantial progress toward consensus on a draft strategy but with a […]