Less Than Half The World Has Internet Access; Barriers, Disincentives Appearing, ISOC Finds 09/06/2014 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The internet is expected to reach 3 billion people globally next year, but “much development work still remains to bring the economic and social benefits of the internet to all people and to make sure everyone has quality access” Kathy Brown, president and CEO of the Internet Society (ISOC), said on today’s release of ISOC’s first annual report on the state of the internet.
WIPO Chief Calls for Seamless, Global, Legal Digital Content Regime 06/06/2014 by Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch 4 Comments ATHENS – In what the representative of a major consumer group called a “big step,” World Intellectual Property Organization Director General Francis Gurry on 6 June called for development of a seamless, global, legal, digital content marketplace that could offer the chance to bridge seemingly intractable copyright issues. Speaking at a conference in Athens hosted by the Greek EU Presidency on copyright and Europe’s digital agenda, Gurry said the search for such a market should take the form of a dialogue that includes all stakeholders.
Innovation Hubs, Green Technology Transfer On Agenda Of TRIPS Council 06/06/2014 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The World Trade Organization intellectual property committee will meet next week with some new issues on the agenda. Ecuador has requested the continuance of a discussion on the transfer of green technologies, and Taiwan and the United States have proposed an agenda item on innovation incubators.
CJEU Removes Threat Hanging Over Internet Users 06/06/2014 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Thanks to the latest ruling of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) on a long-standing copyright case, millions of internet users across the EU can keep calm and carry on browsing websites.
Libraries Can Digitise Books Without Consent, European Advocate General Says 05/06/2014 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Libraries can digitise individual books in their collections without the consent of rights holders, the Advocate General of the European Court of Justice, Niilo Jääskinen, has written in his application in a case (C-117/13) pending at the Luxembourg Court.
Shifting Sands In The Global IP Community 05/06/2014 by Liza Porteus Viana, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Just as the world of international intellectual property law and policy is ever-changing, so are the faces within it. The US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has a new deputy director in Silicon Valley veteran Michelle Lee, who has been acting as director. Many changes occurred at the US Trade Representative’s office, including the naming of a top tech industry lobbyist as deputy USTR, the return to Geneva of a key US figure at the WTO, and the defection of a top IP negotiator to the copyright industry.
IP-Watch Interns Provide Fresh Perspective, Solid Reporting 04/06/2014 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment This spring, Intellectual Property Watch has had the pleasure of welcoming three talented interns/researchers who have provided not only their expertise but their enthusiasm for all aspects of intellectual property and have made an excellent addition to the team.
Open AIR Research Project On African IP Presented At WIPO 04/06/2014 by Maëli Astruc for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The Open AIR project has gone global. The research project’s findings were presented in a recent side event at the World Intellectual Property Organization. The findings, published in two books, assess how people from different African countries and sectors consider and use intellectual property and present three possible scenarios about how people will innovate in the next two decades.
Innovation Occurs In Informal Economy, Needs Policy Framework, Panellists Say 03/06/2014 by Maëli Astruc for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Findings of a World Intellectual Property Organization Committee on Development and Intellectual Property (CDIP) project show that innovation occurs in the informal sector, and generates employment and development. Panellists at a recent side event to the CDIP called on policymakers to be mindful of this sector and implement policy frameworks, in particular in developing countries.
Open Policy Network Launched 02/06/2014 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment A new network has been launched with the aim of promoting open policies worldwide. The network brings together dozens of nongovernmental organisations, universities, international organisations, foundatioins and individuals under guiding principles and a work plan. According to its website, Open Policy Network (OPN) “supports the creation, adoption and implementation of open policies around the world. […]