Patent Reform Passes US Senate, Makes History; Obama to Sign: IP-Watch Analysis Shows Who Wins 09/09/2011 by Liza Porteus Viana, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The United States Senate on Thursday passed historic patent reform legislation – but not before some heated debate on the chamber’s floor. It now goes to President Obama for his signature. Intellectual Property Watch offers a look at who wins and what will now change.
Still A Long Way To Go For Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement 08/09/2011 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments The Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement negotiated last year will be open for signature for two years, until the first of May 2013. But while this looks like a long time, it likely will be needed by the 37 negotiating governments (including the United States, Japan, South Korea and the 27 European Union members) to iron out problems on their way to implementing what some rights owners welcomed as a possible new “gold standard” for the enforcement of intellectual property rights.
Senate Takes Up Patent Reform; Chairman Vows To Fight Amendments 07/09/2011 by Liza Porteus Viana, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The United States Senate on Tuesday was debating patent reform legislation that would make the first significant reforms to the US patent system in nearly 60 years.
US Patent Reform Cleared For Senate Vote, Likely This Week 07/09/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The United States Senate voted to invoke cloture and limit debate on patent reform Tuesday night, with a vote of 93-5. The measure, HR 1249, the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act, now will go to the Senate floor for debate and final passage; a vote could happen as early as Thursday.
Indian Supreme Court To Hear Novartis Challenge To India’s Patent Law 06/09/2011 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 6 Comments The Indian Supreme Court today is expected to hear Swiss pharmaceutical company Novartis’ case against a provision of Indian patent law aimed at preventing the extension of drug patents for minor changes in existing products, a practice known as evergreening.
EPIP Brussels Event Looks At Current Issues In IP Policy 24/08/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The annual conference of the European Policy for Intellectual Property Association on 8-9 September in Brussels will bring together leading figures in the international IP community to look at contemporary issues in IP policy.
Autumn Brings Personnel Changes In Geneva 12/08/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The annual summer shuffle of the mission staff in Geneva has been particularly active this year for those with responsibility for intellectual property rights, with several key diplomats packing their bags, and new ones arriving.
Alto Funcionário Discute Sobre Renúncia Ao Seu Cargo Na ANVISA, No Brasil, Devido à Política Sobre Patentes 11/08/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments Luis Carlos Wanderley Lima, funcionário sênior responsável pela política brasileira que expressa a opinião do Ministério da Saúde no referente à análise de pedidos de patente que possam ocasionar um impacto na saúde pública, renunciou recentemente em protesto contra as modificações na mencionada política. Em uma sessão de perguntas e respostas com a Intellectual Property Watch, ele conversou com relação a sua decisão.
Top Official Discusses Resignation From Brazil’s ANVISA Over Patent Policy 11/08/2011 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Luis Carlos Wanderly Lima, a senior official responsible for Brazil’s policy of giving a voice to its health ministry in the examination of patent applications with potential impact on public health, recently resigned in protest about changes to the policy. In a Q&A with Intellectual Property Watch, he discussed his decision.
UN Highlights IP Rights For Indigenous Peoples’ Day 10/08/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment In recognition of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, the secretary of the United Nations on 9 August raised the complex issue of intellectual property rights and indigenous knowledge. The Director General of the UN World Intellectual Property Organization also issued a message straddling the issue of IP rights and community ownership of traditional knowledge and resources.