Interview – Indigenous Concern Over Rising Focus On IP In WIPO TK Talks 02/06/2016 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Indigenous peoples have been the victims of repeated acts of biopiracy while the international community has failed to act to prevent it, indigenous representatives said in an interview this week. The World Intellectual Property Organization has been discussing ways to address that issue for some 16 years, without success. As negotiators continue to seek consensus on what a potential treaty could achieve, indigenous peoples feel the spotlight has drifted from their issues to technical issues of the intellectual property system and highlighted attention on users of the system.
At WIPO, US Plays Hypotheticals With Swiss Law On Disclosure Of Genetic Resources In Patents 02/06/2016 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment With discussions in full swing at the World Intellectual Property Organization on how to protect genetic resources in intellectual property rights, and in particular whether the disclosure of the source of genetic resources should be mandatory in patent applications, the United States has tabled a document hypothetically applying the mandatory disclosure legislation of Switzerland to a US patent.
Innovation And Access: Fission Or Fusion? Interview With Dr. Kristina M. Lybecker, Associate Professor Of Economics At Colorado College 02/06/2016 by Guest contributor for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment In the light of the UN High-Level Panel on Access to Medicines, this series of sponsored articles challenges experts to give their views on the policies that best support the development of solutions to societies’ greatest challenges and how enabling policy environments, including IP systems, influence the development and flow of new technologies and services in different sectors, fields of technology, and jurisdictions. The views expressed in the articles are those of the authors. Below is an interview with Dr. Kristina M. Lybecker, Associate Professor of Economics at Colorado College in Colorado Springs (US).
New Potential Treaty Text In WIPO Committee On Genetic Resources 01/06/2016 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 5 Comments A revised version of what is hoped by a large number of World Intellectual Property Organization members to become a treaty protecting genetic resources from misappropriation was issued today.
European Commission Eyes Update Of EU Standards-Setting Policy 01/06/2016 by Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment As standardisation increasingly takes place at the global level, Europe needs a speedier, more streamlined way to set the technical specifications that define requirements for products, production processes, services and test methods, the European Commission said today. As part of its single market strategy, the EC announced plans for a joint initiative on standardisation (JIS), guidance to boost the development of European standards, and an annual reporting system among EU institutions on how the standardisation policy is working and contributing to competitiveness, jobs and growth.
WHO-Led Study: Hepatitis C Treatment Unaffordable Globally, Threatens Health Systems 01/06/2016 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment According to a new study by experts at the World Health Organization, prices of hepatitis C treatments are unaffordable globally and put a major strain on national health systems. Hepatitis C can cause liver cirrhosis and cancer, and with an estimated 80 million people affected in the world, if untreated, the sickness could lead to 700,000 deaths per year worldwide, the study said, suggesting that governments and industry stakeholders should develop and implement fair pricing frameworks.
WIPO Seminar: Experts Discuss IP Protection Of Genetic Resources 31/05/2016 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Last week, the World Intellectual Property Organization held a seminar on intellectual property and genetic resources. For over a decade, WIPO members have been discussing ways to protect genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge from misappropriation. The seminar allowed speakers from different regions and interests to offer their views on the topic.
WHO’s Kieny: R&D Resolution ‘An Advance That Shows Strong Recommitment’ 31/05/2016 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment World Health Organization members sent a clear signal at the annual Assembly last week when they committed to step up efforts to find ways to fund research into diseases that results in affordable products, according to the top WHO official working on these issues.
WIPO Delegates Seek Convergence On Protection Of Genetic Resources This Week 30/05/2016 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The protection of genetic resources from misappropriation through patents, for example without the consent of the resource owners, and in particular indigenous communities, or benefit-sharing when commercial benefits arise from the use of those resources is being discussed this week at the World Intellectual Property Organization. Two divergent broad perspectives on how to achieve such protection are hoped to come closer on core issues.
WHA Gets First UN Framework Managing Non-State Actors; Countries Satisfied, Actors Concerned 30/05/2016 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments The first agreement on how to manage relationships between a United Nations organisation and non-governmental actors, such as industry, philanthropic organisations and public interest groups, was adopted on 28 May by the World Health Assembly. The framework, which had been discussed for several years, was hailed as historic by many countries, but met a mixed reaction from those primarily concerned.