Signal-Based Or Nothing, Some Say At US Broadcasting Treaty Roundtable 04/01/2007 by John T. Aquino for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By John T. Aquino for Intellectual Property Watch WASHINGTON, DC – At the 3 January roundtable discussion concerning the work at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) on a broadcasters’ rights treaty, many of the more than 50 participants were vocal in their opposition, with some in support. Most said the proposed treaty was unnecessary […]
Thailand Compulsory License On AIDS Drug Prompts Policy Debate 22/12/2006 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen After Thailand issued a compulsory license for government production of an HIV/AIDS drug, the patent holder of the product, Merck Sharp & Dohme, has proposed reducing the price by almost two-thirds, local sources said. But Thailand said it wants to see it in writing. “We requested [Merck] to re-propose [it] […]
Grupo de la OMS establece las bases para un Plan de Investigación y Desarrollo para enfermedades desatendidas 22/12/2006 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Por Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen Durante una reunión celebrada del 4 al 8 de diciembre entre algunos de los 100 Estados miembros de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) y otras partes interesadas, se establecieron las bases de los debates de un plan mundial de provisión de medicamentos para enfermedades que afectan principalmente a […]
Kenyan IP Reform Bill Withdrawn, Could Return In 2007 21/12/2006 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment By Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen Proposed changes to Kenya’s intellectual property rules, which could negatively impact the possibility to import cheaper medicines, were recently withdrawn at the last minute, according to local sources who did not rule out the proposal’s re-introduction in 2007. The proposed changes to Kenya’s Industrial Property Act 2001 were included in […]
Researcher Proposes System To Promote And Protect TK In China 21/12/2006 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By Catherine Saez Although China is the biggest traditional knowledge holder in the world and has been patenting its traditional medicine knowledge since 1993, its existing patent regime does not appear to be able to protect traditional knowledge or its holders, says Xuan Li, research fellow at the World Trade Institute in Bern. In order […]
Swiss Initiative Seeks To Dispel “Black-And-White” View Of Patents 19/12/2006 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen Switzerland has begun a new kind of collaboration at the national level with the aim of moving beyond the old “patents are good/patents are bad” debate, particularly when it comes to intellectual property and public health, according to officials. Intellectual Property Watch recently spoke with Felix Addor and Gaudenz Silberschmidt […]
WIPO Committee To Increase Focus On Genetic Resources 16/12/2006 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By William New In a recent meeting, a World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) committee agreed to increase its activity related to intellectual property rights and genetic resources. This could have significance for negotiations on the issue currently at the World Trade Organization, according to sources in Geneva. The 30 November to 8 December meeting of […]
Members Debate As WIPO Sees Budget Surpluses, Busy Programme For 2008 13/12/2006 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By William New The member governments of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) this week furthered their involvement in WIPO’s programme and budget decisions and clarified their understanding of key efforts underway on personnel and new-building construction. But as WIPO declared it would have a budget surplus, members differed on how to spend it and […]
WHO Group Lays Foundation For Global Neglected Diseases R&D Plan 11/12/2006 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen During a 4-8 December meeting of some 100 World Health Organization (WHO) member states and other stakeholders, the foundation was laid for discussions of a global plan for providing medicines for diseases predominantly affecting poor countries. The process will continue in the coming year, and a second intergovernmental meeting is […]
Key Report Urges UK Government To Boost IP Enforcement and Fair Use Rights 08/12/2006 by Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment By Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch An independent study of Britain’s intellectual property framework has found it essentially sound but in need of changes at the national and international levels. Many of its 54 recommendations appear uncontroversial, but several copyright proposals are already sparking debate, and the report could have European-wide or even worldwide […]