World Telecom Policy Forum: Healing The Split Or Fueling A Telecom Policy “Cold War”? 14/05/2013 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments Governments, sector members of the UN International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and a number of civil society groups are gathering in Geneva for three days this week to talk internet politics at the 5th World Telecom Policy Forum (WTPF). The non-binding forum is the first opportunity to take the temperature of the international telecom politics community since the failed World Conference on International Telecommunication (WCIT) last December. At the same time, it is seen by many as the stepping stone to the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference and therefore a platform to position oneself with regard to future internet-related public policy and the future role of states in the digital world.
US Supreme Court Rules In Favour Of Monsanto In Patent Exhaustion Case 13/05/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 4 Comments The United States Supreme Court found today that a farmer who buys patented seeds may not reproduce them through planting and harvesting without the right holder’s permission. The case, known as Bowman v. Monsanto, revolved around patent exhaustion. The Supreme Court was to decide whether patent exhaustion applied to patented seeds after their authorised sale.
European Commission To Develop Global Internet Policy Platform 13/05/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The European Commission today announced plans for a Global Internet Policy Observatory (GIPO), an online platform to improve knowledge and participation on issues related to global internet policymaking.
How Listing Ukraine As A Priority Foreign Country In Special 301 Violates WTO Agreements 13/05/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch 4 Comments Prof. Sean Flynn asks whether US sanctions of Ukraine under the US Special 301 program violates World Trade Organization rules. He also asks whether the operation of watch lists threatening sanctions for intellectual property matters could be challenged under the WTO even prior to any sanction going into effect.
WIPO Committee On Development This Week: North-South Differences 13/05/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The committee evaluating the incorporation of a development dimension into the World Intellectual Property Organization activities meets this week with a heavy agenda and some loose ends inherited from the previous meeting. In particular, delegates will have to decide on future work on patent-related flexibilities, agree on measures to improve WIPO technical assistance, and agree on a review of the implementation of the WIPO Development Agenda Recommendations.
South Africa To Launch National Traditional Knowledge Recording System 10/05/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 5 Comments While diplomats are trying to find consensus on an international instrument to protect traditional knowledge at the World Intellectual Property Organization, some countries are establishing systems to protect their traditional knowledge domestically. South Africa will be launching on 24 May its National Recordal System to catalogue its indigenous knowledge.
LDC Request For Waiver Of IP Obligations Meets Conditions From Developed Countries 09/05/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments The request by least developed countries (LDCs) to push back the date on which they would have to enforce intellectual property rules under the World Trade Organization is the subject of informal consultations between delegations, as the deadline is fast approaching. Particularly at stake is the time period of the extension, which developed countries would prefer to be limited. Meanwhile, well over 100 academics have voiced support for the LDCs’ request.
Experts Review UNEP Report On Green Economy And Trade 09/05/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has released a new report focused on the issue of green economies and international trade. The report examines six sectors – agriculture, fisheries and aquaculture, forestry, manufacturing, renewable energy and tourism – that are of particular interest to developing countries.
US Senate Committee Evaluates US Cyber Threat Response Efforts 08/05/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Advanced cyber espionage tools are readily available for use by foreign governments and organised criminal groups to coordinate cyber attacks on US computer networks, a United States law enforcement official said today in a prepared statement to a congressional panel.
WTO Announces Next Step For Azevedo To Become New Director 08/05/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The World Trade Organization today announced that the three facilitators charged with consulting WTO members have recommended Brazilian Amb. Roberto Carvalho de Azevêdo become its next director general.