Parallel WIPO Initiative On Access For Visually Impaired Steps Up 04/03/2014 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment A growing number of countries are signing the new World Intellectual Property Organization treaty on copyright exceptions aimed at boosting access to special format books for visually impaired persons. Parallel to the treaty and pre-dating it, a WIPO-led initiative of interested stakeholders is continuing its efforts to also boost access to such works, including through licence agreements.
Privatize, Don’t Internationalise, Internet Oversight, Academics Say 04/03/2014 by Intellectual Property Watch 8 Comments The Snowden revelations have spurred yet another discussion on how to internationalise or globalise the oversight over the management of core infrastructures of the internet, namely the so-called IANA (Internet Assigned Numbers Authority) functions. Why not let the private sector decide?
WIPO Enforcement Committee Gains Ground As “Marketplace Of Ideas” 03/03/2014 by Julia Fraser for Intellectual Property Watch and William New Leave a Comment World Intellectual Property Organization members this week are meeting to discuss efforts to better protect intellectual property rights worldwide, including some new proposals for discussion and an exhibition on national programmes.
UN Internet Governance Discussion: Why Did It Fail To Agree And Why Will Discussions Continue?” 03/03/2014 by Intellectual Property Watch 6 Comments The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development Working Group on Enhanced Cooperation held what was supposed to be its last meeting in Geneva on 24-28 February. However, as explained below, the group failed to agree certain key issues, so it agreed to meet again on 7-9 May. Richard Hill offers an explanation.
Will ICANN Be The Next International Organisation In Geneva? 02/03/2014 by Maëli Astruc for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment During a visit to France last week, Fadi Chehadé, the CEO and president of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), announced that his Board of Directors has given him the green light to further explore reforms of ICANN. Among them is the possibility of creating a parallel ICANN international structure, likely based in Geneva.
TRIPS Council: Discussion Of IP And Innovation Irritates India: Other Issues Unchanged 27/02/2014 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment World Trade Organization members at the WTO intellectual property committee this week held fast to positions on longstanding issues, but engaged in discussions on issues such as innovation in relation to universities, and so-called “non-violation complaints” against countries that may cause harm to another country but don’t violate a WTO rule. Also discussed was the ongoing dispute over plain packaging requirements for tobacco products.
US Calls On Brazil Internet Meeting To Stick To Principles 25/02/2014 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The United States, home to the organisation that oversees technical aspects of the internet domain name system, has advice for an upcoming meeting in Brazil aimed at revisiting the global internet governance: consider principles developed in past meetings, and don’t retread old sore spots. In other words, don’t disrupt the status quo.
European Union Sees Flurry Of Activity On Copyright Policy 21/02/2014 by Julia Fraser for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment There have been several important developments related to copyright in the European Union in the past week. Below is a summary.
TTIP: No Lowering Of Standards, Officials Say; New Trade Consultation Body Scrutinised 20/02/2014 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment After three rounds of negotiations for the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), European Union Trade Commissioner Karel de Gucht this week welcomed the progress so far. But negotiators have to “step up a gear,” de Gucht said after a two-day stocktaking meeting with the United States Trade Representative Michael Froman in Washington, DC on 18 February. Meanwhile, USTR announced new steps to raise public participation in trade negotiations.
South African Traditional Knowledge Protection Bill Amends IP Laws 19/02/2014 by Linda Daniels for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The much-debated Intellectual Property Laws Amendment Bill in South Africa, aimed at boosting protection for traditional knowledge, was signed by President Jacob Zuma without much fanfare and promotion. What happens now?