Indigenous Groups Express Concerns On IP Protection Of Their Knowledge 03/03/2008 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch 5 Comments By Kaitlin Mara Representatives of global indigenous groups were in Geneva last week to exchange views on the role of intellectual property in the protection of indigenous and traditional knowledge and folklore. Indigenous groups participated an informal meeting held on 22-23 February, and in the weeklong meeting of the World Intellectual Property Organization Intergovernmental Committee […]
Free, Open Software Supporters Advocate Against Microsoft Document Standard 29/02/2008 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By Kaitlin Mara Free software and open standards proponents met this week in Geneva to discuss the importance of standards-setting and to debate the role of patent protections and advocate freedom of information sharing in the digital economy. Organised by open source software advocacy group OpenForum Europe and happening against the backdrop of Microsoft’s bid […]
Record Patent Filings Keep WIPO Revenues High; Audit, Budget Meetings Loom 22/02/2008 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By William New The World Intellectual Property Organization may see significant revenues from its record high patent filings and it may be nearing agreement on a new budget designating how to spend it. WIPO’s Audit Committee is meeting this week, addressing concerns about oversight, staffing and new construction, and the General Assembly will be reconvened […]
India Considers Compulsory Licences For Exportation Of Drugs 20/02/2008 by Tatum Anderson for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment By Tatum Anderson for Intellectual Property Watch The Indian government will consider whether it should grant permission for patented drugs to be manufactured and exported without the consent of the patent owners at a hearing scheduled for the last week of February. If the government agrees to the application, it would be the first time […]
Officials Outline International Organisations’ IP Enforcement Policies 18/02/2008 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By Kaitlin Mara and William New Officials from key international organisations on Friday outlined efforts to develop policies intended to prevent the spread of pirated and counterfeit goods. The officials were joined by representatives of law firms and international companies such as online auction service eBay, which described efforts to save its business model as […]
Interview With Geoff Tansey, Co-Editor, The Future Control Of Food 15/02/2008 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Geoff Tansey, a leading intellectual property and agriculture researcher and co-founder of the academic journal Food Policy, co-edited a new book examining a rarely-explored side of intellectual property legislation: its effects on access to food. The book, The Future Control of Food: A Guide to International Negotiations And Rules On Intellectual Property, Biodiversity And Food […]
US Government, Copyright Industry Continue Push For Stronger Enforcement 13/02/2008 by Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch The United States is gaining ground in its fight against intellectual property piracy and counterfeiting, a potent interagency commission told President George Bush and the US Congress this week. Yet for every gain in IP enforcement, increasingly complex and unpredictable threats emerge, the agencies said in their 11 […]
What To Look For In A New WIPO Director-General 12/02/2008 by Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments By Carolyn Deere This week presents a critical opportunity for the 184 member states of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Wednesday, 13 February is the deadline for WIPO’s membership to submit nominations for the post of WIPO Director General. On 13-14 May, WIPO’s Coordination Committee will be convened in order to review candidates and […]
US Fiscal 2009 Proposed Budget Shows IP Enforcement A Priority 06/02/2008 by Liza Porteus Viana, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By Liza Porteus Viana for Intellectual Property Watch The United States Patent and Trademark Office got a slight financial boost in President Bush’s proposed $3 trillion fiscal 2009 budget released Monday, while agencies such as the State Department and International Trade Commission also were funded for various intellectual property and copyright enforcement programmes. Bush has […]
US Patent Reform Legislation On Bumpy Road To Completion 06/02/2008 by Liza Porteus Viana, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment By Liza Porteus Viana for Intellectual Property Watch The Patent Reform Act of 2007, proposed legislation to modify United States patent law, is a step in the right direction, but in its current form threatens to undermine innovation, the Bush administration said this week. The Commerce Department on Monday sent a letter to the Senate […]