US Appeals Court Hears High-Profile Case On USPTO Power Over Patent Rules 05/12/2008 by Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch Before a packed audience, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) Friday tackled the highly controversial dispute between the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and much of the patent bar over rules capping the number of continuation requests and claims patent seekers can submit without incurring additional expenses and paperwork.
Debate Over EU Finding That Pharmaceutical Firms Abusing Patent System 05/12/2008 by David Cronin for Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments By David Cronin for Intellectual Property Watch BRUSSELS – Leading pharmaceutical companies are using the patent system to delay the entry of generic medicines onto the market, the European Commission has alleged, sparking a debate at a conference held here this week. In spring 2009, the EU’s executive branch will present the findings of an […]
WTO IP Negotiations Lengthen As New Questions Put On Table 05/12/2008 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By Kaitlin Mara The body at the World Trade Organization tasked with negotiating a multilateral register for geographically-named wines and spirits began what could be several days of meetings Thursday with a question and answer session meant to find common understanding, but instead revealed just how deep the divide remains between the two sides. Sixty-one […]
Brazilian Draft Law Would Curb Expanded Patents On Pharmaceuticals 02/12/2008 by Claudia Jurberg for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment [Update from the author: Brazil announced on 19 December adoption of the resolution against the extension of patent rights to second-use drugs and polymorphs. Such patents were seen as subterfuges from the pharmaceutical companies to expand their patent rights. The inter-ministry intellectual property group met on 1 December, but only announced the result on 19 […]
Discussions Continue In Informal WTO Special Session On GI Register 02/12/2008 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By Kaitlin Mara The World Trade Organization body mandated to discuss a registry for geographical indications met Monday, with the only resulting agreement being to meet again later this week for further, more technical, discussions. Several ambassadors were present at the meeting, according to sources, indicating that in the lead-up to a possible ministerial this […]
IP And Genetically Modified Organisms: A Fateful Combination, Activists Say 02/12/2008 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By Catherine Saez With the expanding scope of patents on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and the implementation of such crops in most countries, farmers’ rights and biodiversity are at risk, and food security has become dependent on a few transnational biotechnological companies, according to speakers at a recent workshop in Geneva. The workshop was hosted […]
Expertos estiman que la propiedad intelectual precisa tomar un nuevo rumbo en el ámbito de la biotecnología 01/12/2008 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Por Catherine Saez PARÍS – Los participantes de un reciente seminario que tuvo lugar en esta ciudad opinan que la biotecnología necesita considerablemente cambiar su modelo de negocios, restaurar la confianza entre los diferentes actores y establecer cooperaciones. Éstos agregaron que, después de casi treinta años, la industria sigue sin obtener beneficios, que pareciera que […]
Parole d’experts : la propriété intellectuelle sur les biotechnologies a besoin d’un nouveau départ 01/12/2008 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Par Catherine Saez PARIS – Selon certains participants à un séminaire qui s’est récemment tenu à Paris, le secteur des biotechnologies a sérieusement besoin de modifier son mode de fonctionnement, de restaurer la confiance entre les différents acteurs et d’établir des partenariats. D’après eux, après presque trente ans d’existence, ce secteur ne fait toujours pas […]
Peer To Patent System May Become Model For Patent Offices 01/12/2008 by Liza Porteus Viana, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By Liza Porteus Viana for Intellectual Property Watch A pilot patent peer review system in the United States could serve as a model for patent offices around the globe. New York Law School, in cooperation with the US Patent and Trademark Office, is in its second year of Peer To Patent, an innovative initiative that opens the patent examination process to public participation. The online system allows the public to supply prior art to assess the claims of pending patent applications. The goal is to provide patent examiners with as much information as possible, and ultimately increase the quality of approved patents.
Proyecto de biblioteca de Google suscita inquietudes respecto a su impacto sobre el acceso a los conocimientos 01/12/2008 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Por William New El acuerdo que ha sido proclamado como un gran avance en la digitalización del conocimiento humano también está abriendo ciertos interrogantes sobre el acceso a esta información para la mayoría de las personas, según comentó un experto en cuestiones de derechos de autor e interés público. Fred von Lohmann, abogado de la […]