Change In USPTO Representation At WIPO Could Reflect Shift In Priorities 05/01/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The sudden change in officials in charge of international policy at the United States Patent and Trademark Office could reflect shifting priorities at the World Intellectual Property Organization.
Most-Read IP-Watch Posts Of 2011 Tell Story Of International IP Policymaking 03/01/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The most-read Intellectual Property Watch stories of 2011 demonstrated the versatility and range of our readers from around the globe, from an intense focus on international and national copyright issues to bilateral and plurilateral free trade agreements, to issues in India and Brazil, patent laws, patents in agriculture, scientific knowledge, and of course, policies emerging in Geneva at the World Intellectual Property Organization, World Trade Organization, World Health Organization and elsewhere at the multilateral level. Most of all, they tell the story of the year gone by, with clear signals of what’s to come in 2012.
Last Parliament Standing: Europe Final Stronghold Of ACTA Critics 21/12/2011 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch 6 Comments With a recent decision by the Agriculture and Fishery Council of the European Union, the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) seems to have made a big leap forward. And with recent breakthroughs in other countries, ACTA’s final hurdle may be in the European parliaments.
IP Experts Focus On 3-Step Test In Copyright, Discuss Way Forward 21/12/2011 by Rachel Marusak Hermann, Intellectual Property Watch 4 Comments Although intellectual property issues did not play a big role in the Eighth World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference, some international stakeholders took advantage of the global gathering to meet, discuss and debate the 3-step test in copyright, a key topic in IP today. The discussion included a call for a WTO declaration on the 3-step test.
Special Report – US IP Attachés Report On Strategies Abroad 20/12/2011 by Liza Porteus Viana, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment WASHINGTON, DC – American intellectual property attachés serving abroad have helped propel global discussions on intellectual property rights and have helped protect inventors’ rights amidst a “global flat economy,” but enforcement remains a difficult challenge in many parts of the world, attachés said at a recent event gathering them back home. The officials highlighted strategies for the coming year in the top emerging economies.
WHO Expert Group To Recommend Binding R&D Treaty Negotiation 14/12/2011 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 4 Comments A World Health Organization expert group has narrowed proposals under consideration for ways to finance research and development for diseases predominately affecting poor populations. Among the remaining recommendations is that WHO members launch negotiations for a binding treaty.
Out Of A Dilemma: Banning The Non-Violation Clause Under TRIPS 13/12/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The non-violation nullification of benefits is a clause that could be used if a WTO member deems that another member’s actions caused an unexpected loss of benefits, even if there is no violation of a WTO agreement. Developing countries are wary of this provision and the moratorium on its use under TRIPS is up for debate and probable renewal at the WTO Ministerial Conference in Geneva this week, writes Daniele Dionisio.
Brazil’s Leaked Copyright Reform Draft Bill Shows Latest Thinking 12/12/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Another chapter of the Brazilian copyright reform is out. The third version of the draft bill leaked a few days ago to a major newspaper in the country, and a handful of academics had access to it, writes Pedro Paranaguá.
A Clatch Of Copyright Cases At The Supreme Court of Canada 06/12/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment A “clatch” is another word for “brood”, which is a not inappropriate word in the present circumstances – considering that Canada’s highest court will hear five (yes, five!) cases on December 6 and 7, 2011 that all emanate from Canada’s Copyright Board, writes Howard Knopf.
Lines Of Global Enforcement Debate Surface At WIPO Meeting 05/12/2011 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Leading debates surrounding global efforts to stop counterfeiting and piracy of intellectual property rights-protected goods and services came into full view at the recent meeting of the World Intellectual Property Organization enforcement committee. In that debate, a long list of civil society groups has raised concern about WIPO enforcement activities.