International Organisations, Industry, Launch Campaign Against Fake Medicines 26/11/2013 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Ten global health organisations today launched “Fight the Fakes,” a global campaign against “fake” medicines, aimed at raising awareness about medicines – brand or generic – that are not what they claim to be. Meanwhile, a Swiss pharmaceutical company official was named head of investigations at a top international public health organisation.
Global Patent Harmonisation Proceeding Outside WIPO – And Gently Within 25/11/2013 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment For years, the developed countries that own the vast majority of the world’s patents – and therefore pay the majority of the revenues of the World Intellectual Property Organization – have looked unsuccessfully for a way to increase harmonisation of the global patent system through the UN agency. Developed countries have moved forward on their own, while WIPO is taking a gentle approach, encouraging member states “look below the headline issue” to a more “granular” level.
South-South Cooperation Rising; WIPO Pushed To Persevere In Its Efforts 25/11/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The importance of cooperation among developing and least-developed countries in the field of intellectual property is rising, and is a key vector of technology-sharing, according to speakers at a conference on the subject at the World Intellectual Property Organization. Developing countries are strongly in favour of further work in this area, while WIPO will soon launch a dedicated webpage on South-South cooperation.
Spirit Of Innovation Runs High At South African IP Conference 25/11/2013 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA – An industry-government conference here last week captured the high spirit of innovation in South Africa, and discussed ways in which intellectual property rights play a role in the effort.
Rea Departs, Focarino Takes Over As Head Of USPTO 22/11/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment US Patent Commissioner Margaret A. (Peggy) Focarino today took over the duties as head of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), after Acting Director Teresa Rea’s resignation took effect on 21 November, the USPTO said in a release.
Goodlatte Patent Bill Heads To House; Trolls Not So Bad, After All? 22/11/2013 by Liza Porteus Viana, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment As a bill aimed at curbing patent “trolls” and frivolous patent lawsuits makes its way through the United States Congress and states fight their own troll battles in the name of consumer protection, some patent attorneys and stakeholder groups want lawmakers to slow down and take a breath.
Independent Assessment Of Development Dimension In WIPO Delayed 22/11/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments World Intellectual Property Organization delegates could not find agreement on how to carry out an independent review of the implementation of how the 2007 WIPO Development Agenda Recommendations have been implemented in the organisation.
Authors Look At Positive Impact Of Patents On Public Domain 22/11/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A study emphasising the positive effect of the patent system on the public domain was presented this week by two of its co-authors as a side event to the World Intellectual Property Organization committee on development.
WIPO Development Committee Works On Projects; Broader Issues At Bay 21/11/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment While the World Intellectual Property Organization committee on development is evaluating results and taking decisions on a number of development-related projects this week, discussions on more substantial matters reveal that member states do not share the same perception of the role of the committee.
A Question Of Balance In IP Rights In South Africa 21/11/2013 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA – There are human rights issues with intellectual property, Mmboneni Muofhe, deputy director-general for international cooperation and resources at the South African Department of Science and Technology, said at an industry-driven conference here this week.