Brazil’s Internet Legal Framework Regulation And Draft Bill For Privacy Law Public Consultation 03/03/2015 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment On 28 January 2015, the Brazilian Ministry of Justice launched public consultations involving two key pieces of legislation, namely: the decree that will regulate the Marco Civil da Internet or the Brazilian Civil Rights Framework for the Internet (the “Internet Legal Framework”); and the Draft Bill for the Protection of Personal Data (“Draft Bill”). A consultation period is being conducted in relation to these two laws via online platforms set up by the government.
UK To Revamp Law On “Groundless Threats” Of Infringement Suits 26/02/2015 by Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Recommendations for key reforms to laws against “groundless threats” of infringement lawsuits in patent, trademark and design rights cases won general UK government backing today. IP lawyers said the government’s stance will go far toward resolving longstanding concerns.
Tobacco Plain Packaging Discussion Lights Up Again At WTO 25/02/2015 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The issue of plain packaging for tobacco products as a health measure has been smouldering at the World Trade Organization since Australia decided to implement legislation requiring plain packaging in 2012. Now, as more countries seek to enact similar legal provisions, some tobacco producing countries continue to try to stub them out, including at the WTO intellectual property committee.
Neuchâtel Event Looks At Swiss Innovation, Competitiveness 20/02/2015 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment NEUCHATEL – Switzerland is among the best students of global innovation. It continues to score at the top of global indexes and reports on innovation and competitiveness. At a seminar last week at the University of Neuchâtel, speakers gave their views on that success.
WIPO Seminar Could Rekindle Discussions On Genetic Resources, TK 20/02/2015 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment After the failure to agree on work to be done by the World Intellectual Property Organization committee on genetic resources and traditional knowledge at the last general assembly, and a barren calendar of meetings on the subject, WIPO is organising a seminar aimed at sharing regional, national and local experiences.
At WTO Next Week: GI Register, Plain Packaging, Women In Innovation 19/02/2015 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The next meeting of the World Trade Organization intellectual property committee is expected to include discussions on women and innovation, and concerns about legislative efforts in the United Kingdom and Ireland to introduce plan packaging for tobacco products. Prior to the meeting, informal consultations will be held on the negotiating issue of an international register for geographical indications (GIs) for wines and spirits.
The Role Of Social Media In M&A Transactions 13/02/2015 by Caitlin McGivern for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Despite the ever-increasing use of social media by businesses, social media assets are often overlooked in merger and acquisition (M&A) transactions. When addressing a company’s assets in a purchase agreement, social media assets tend to be explicitly addressed only very briefly, or not at all. It is important to address such assets explicitly, as they do not always constitute intellectual property rights covered by IP representations and warranties.
European Parliament Votes For Renewal Of Mandate For Internet Governance Forum 11/02/2015 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The European Parliament today adopted a resolution calling on the UN General Assembly to renew the mandate of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF), while strengthening its resources and the multi-stakeholder model of internet governance.
Political Windows Open And Close, Says ICANN President; Seeks End Of Prep For IANA Transition 10/02/2015 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment At the opening of this week’s 52nd meeting of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) in Singapore, the ICANN leadership supported by former President Bill Clinton aide Ira Magaziner, pushed for urgency in finalising the proposal for the future oversight of the private names and numbers regime.
Copyright Policy And The Right To Science And Culture 09/02/2015 by Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments Reposted from Afro-IP and infojustice.org: A report entitled ‘Copyright policy and the right to science and culture’ authored by the UN Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights, Farida Shaheed, has been released, writes Prof. Carolyn Ncube.