European Human Rights Court: Internet Restriction Violates Freedom Of Expression 20/12/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg ruled this week that “restriction of Internet access without a strict legal framework regulating the scope of the ban and affording the guarantee of judicial review to prevent possible abuses amounts to a violation of freedom of expression.”
US Chamber Holds Annual IP Attaché Roundtable, Announces New “IP Index” 17/12/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Washington, DC – The United States Chamber of Commerce last week held its annual roundtable with US government IP attachés stationed around the world. At the same event, it released a consultant study that rated the IP rights usage of 11 rather different countries.
US IP Officials Blast NGOs In Geneva 16/12/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 5 Comments Washington, DC – United States attachés stationed around the world in order to promote intellectual property rights reported on their activities to US industry here last week. And the attachès posted in Geneva had strong words for the work of non-governmental organisations operating at the World Trade Organization and the United Nations agencies.
Waiting For Customs And Trademark Reforms, EU Rights Owners Get “Proactive” Against Fakes 13/12/2012 by Rachel Marusak Hermann, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Alicante, Spain – The impact of counterfeit goods on the economy, public health, and the bottom line was a central theme during a private-sector symposium on trademarks here this week. For European rights owners, the border is where counterfeiters are at their weakest and therefore the best place to act. But as stronger legislation regarding infringement of intellectual property rights on goods in transit is unlikely for now, the private sector is seeking alternative ways to take on a growing business threat.
WCIT Split After Split “Vote” On Internet Governance Resolution 13/12/2012 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Dubai, UAE – A mere resolution, not part of the future International Telecommunication Regulations (ITR), led to yet another escalation at the ongoing World Conference on International Telecommunications (WCIT) in Dubai last night.
WCIT: Internet Issues Still In Draft New Telecom Rules 12/12/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Dubai, UAE – The internet is not completely out of the first consolidated draft proposal for the future International Telecommunication Regulations (ITR) that was introduced late on 11 December at the World Conference on International Telecommunications (WCIT) in Dubai.
A Closer Look Into A WIPO Regional Workshop: Making An Instant IP Whiz 10/12/2012 by Maricel Estavillo for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Manila, Philippines – Another destructive typhoon was battering southern Philippines last week, but this did not stop the majority of the delegates coming from the provinces near the affected areas from flying to the capital to attend what organisers touted as a trailblazing programme that has the potential to raise awareness of sophisticated intellectual property tools and policies at the grassroots level in developing countries.
A Week Into WCIT, Few Compromises In Fragile Discussions 09/12/2012 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment More broadband rollout and better access to networks everywhere – that’s a position shared by participants at the World Conference on International Telecommunications (WCIT), which started last week in Dubai. And this is where the consensus ends, according to a more sceptical reading on progress made in negotiations to review the future International Telecommunication Regulations (ITR).
Chair Of Stalled WTO Talks On GIs May Take Another Tack 07/12/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments World Trade Organization negotiations to establish a multilateral register of geographical indications continue to be stalled over whether talks should apply only to wines and spirits as mandated, or can extend to other products and include talks on disclosure of origin in genetic material, the negotiations chair reported to the WTO Trade Negotiations Committee (TNC) today. He suggested a slightly different approach in the coming year.
Geographical Indications Catching Up With Appellations of Origin At WIPO 07/12/2012 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment A happy mood was in order at the close of a World Intellectual Property Organization meeting on the protection of product names indicating their origin, particular qualities and reputation. Geographical indications are being considered for the same recognition and protection as appellations of origin through the revision of a current international instrument.