India Proposes Combined WIPO Meetings On Biodiversity, Patent Harmonisation 10/04/2006 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment India today floated a suggestion for joint meetings of two key committees at the World Intellectual Property Organization in a move that could change the way patents are addressed. The proposal could elevate biodiversity issues of concern to developing countries to the level of patent issues critical to developed countries. India said that the issue […]
WIPO Patent Committee Cautiously Opens Talks On New Work Programme 10/04/2006 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The member governments of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) cautiously opened discussion today on the future work programme of the committee responsible for harmonisation of patent laws. The issue is contentious as many WIPO developing country members have previously opposed harmonisation, though the issue continues to appear on the WIPO agenda. Patent harmonisation, under […]
Reactions Strong But Mixed To WHO Report On IP And Medicines Access 04/04/2006 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Non-governmental and industry reactions are mixed to a new report from the World Health Organization on the relationship of intellectual property rights, innovation and access to medicines in developing countries. The comprehensive report, issued on 3 April and two years in the making, contains about 50 recommendations for making improving in the current situation but […]
WHO IP Report Comprehensive, But No Calls For Major Change In IP System 03/04/2006 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment A much-anticipated World Health Organization (WHO) report by a special commission looking at the relationship between intellectual property rights and research and development into diseases disproportionately affecting developing countries, makes some 50 recommendations on how to improve the situation. The 228-page report of the Commission on Intellectual Property Rights, Innovation and Public Health (CIPIH) stops […]
Interview with Michael Ryan, Director, Creative and Innovative Economy Center 31/03/2006 by Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments The Creative and Innovative Economy Center was launched on 1 January at George Washington University Law School in Washington, DC. Intellectual Property Watch sat down with Director Michael Ryan recently to discuss his views on industry and development, the project, its funding, and how it plans to influence policy in developing countries. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY WATCH […]
Universities See “Disastrous Effects” For Education, Science In German Copyright Reform 30/03/2006 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch A German scientist who would like to read an online book owned by another department of his university soon may have to travel to the department and read it on site instead if a proposed copyright law is passed. “I will not be able to just use our […]
Patent On AIDS Drug Will Not Limit Access In India, Industry Argues 30/03/2006 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment It is “misleading” and “counter-productive” to assert that a pharmaceutical company’s filing for a patent on a HIV/AIDS drug in India will limit access to the drug in the future, GlaxoSmithKline said in response to an objection submitted today in India. The comment is a response to the submission of a “pre-grant opposition” to the […]
Protest Submitted To First Patent Filing Of HIV/AIDS Drug In India 30/03/2006 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Two Indian HIV/AIDS networks and an international group of lawyers today submitted a protest to the first application for a patent for an HIV/AIDS drug filed in India. The opportunity to stage a “pre-grant opposition” is the “beauty of the Indian patent system,” said Ellen ‘t Hoen of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in an interview. […]
WTO Geographical Indications, Biodiversity Talks Intensify, But No News For TNC 24/03/2006 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Two days of World Trade Organization consultations this week on a proposal to extend high-level protection for geographical indications beyond wines and spirits did not bring resolution in time for the WTO Trade Negotiations Committee meeting on Tuesday, sources in Geneva said. The same is true for discussions on proposals relating to biodiversity and the […]
Sign Of The (Digital) Times: France’s Struggle With A New Copyright Law 18/03/2006 by Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch Editor’s Note: The National Assembly adopted the legislation on 21 March by a vote of 286 in favour and 193 against. It will now go to the Senate in May, according to reports. In the global search to find a balance between copyright protection and consumer rights in […]