Academics Criticise Handling Of Cultural Diversity, Traditional Knowledge At International Level 06/03/2013 by Tiphaine Nunzia Caulier for Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments At a recent conference jointly organised by the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies (IHEID, Geneva) and the Museum of Art and History of Geneva, academics tackled the question of the preservation of culture – in its natural and cultural dimension – against the risks of globalisation.
“Works For Hire” A Key Issue As Music Stars Begin Terminating Copyright Transfers 05/03/2013 by Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Courts in the United States are beginning to interpret a Copyright Act of 1976 provision allowing authors of protected works to terminate their rights assignments beginning this year. Intellectual property attorneys appear to differ over the importance of the recent rulings, but they agree that the battle line in termination cases between the recording industry and artists will be drawn over whether or not a piece of music was created for hire.
Should Industry Support LDCs’ Request For Unlimited Time To Implement The TRIPS Agreement? Absolutely 04/03/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments Nick Ashton-Hart writes: Some of you may have noticed that the ICT sector trade association that I represent in Geneva, the Computer and Communication Industry Association (CCIA), has endorsed a bid by the world’s Least Developed Countries (LDC’s) to remove any specific deadline for full compliance with the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) agreement.
Speakers Outline Ideas For Africa To Find Appropriate IP Policies 01/03/2013 by Linda Daniels for Intellectual Property Watch 6 Comments Johannesburg, South Africa – Africa is still held captive by colonial borders and has failed to collectively leverage benefit-sharing agreements that result from multinationals’commercial pursuit of indigenous knowledge, said speakers at the Africa IP conference this week.
South Africa Leaning Toward Support Of Pan-African IP Office, Minister Says 28/02/2013 by Linda Daniels for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Johannesburg – There are strong indications that South Africa may join – and lead the charge – in the establishment of the controversial Pan-African Intellectual Property Office (PAIPO).
With Lively Start, African IP Conference Addresses Medicines Access, GIs 27/02/2013 by Linda Daniels for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Johannesburg, South Africa — The start of the Africa IP conference was the scene of a surprise protest action by Treatment Action Campaign health activists who ambushed the stage as South African Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies was about to welcome delegates to the three-day conference.
European Copyright Reform On Slow Track, Observers Say 27/02/2013 by Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment European talks aimed at dragging copyright law into the digital age are not likely to produce results any time soon because of resistance from rights holders and political manoeuvring in the European Commission, players from the internet service provider and consumer sectors say. But the Commission said while it’s true that changes could take several years, there will be regulation if needed.
Recording Industry Sees New “Buzz” From Digital Revenues 27/02/2013 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The major recording industry association has released its annual report for 2012, announcing a 9 per cent increase in revenues from digital sales of music, with licensed music services on the rise. It also said it benefits most in countries where internet service providers have worked to drive down use of unauthorised music download sites.
ITU Sees Busy Year Ahead, Hopes To Overcome Divisions 26/02/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The United Nations International Telecommunication Union (ITU) foresees a busy year, and one in which it continues its longstanding role as the key convener of international policymaking on information and communications technologies, the ITU secretary general has said. And it has started the year with efforts to patch over deep divisions among its members that arose at an ITU conference in December.
UN Agency Ties Fraudulent Pharmaceuticals To Organised Crime In West Africa 26/02/2013 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment A United Nations agency has linked shipments of fraudulent pharmaceuticals with cocaine trafficking and smuggling of migrants as illegal activities carried out by transnational organised crime syndicates that are contributing to instability in West Africa.