EU Flags Geographical Indications In WTO Trade Talks Paper 22/06/2006 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment In a new European Union communication to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in the ongoing agriculture negotiations, the EU has moved its call for higher intellectual property rights protection for product names deriving from geographical locations to the top of its list of demands. At issue is Europe’s wish to better protect its geographical indications […]
WTO Geographical Indications Discussion Moves To Higher Level 16/06/2006 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment While there was little movement at a World Trade Organization meeting (WTO) on intellectual property rules this week, one of the IP issues in the current round of trade talks has been elevated to a consultation of ambassador-level officials under special invitation, sources said. The IP issue is geographical indications (GIs) and a proposal to […]
Brazil, India Get Developed Country Support For TRIPS Amendment On Biodiversity 15/06/2006 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Two new proposals on the relationship of international agreements on the protection of biodiversity were discussed at the World Trade Organization (WTO) yesterday, one of which supports a developing country view. But member states still disagree as to whether there is a conflict between international rules. The new proposals were tabled by Japan [Japan Proposal] […]
Geographical Indications Register Still Stuck As WTO Meetings Continue 13/06/2006 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment World Trade Organization (WTO) discussion of a multilateral register for wines and spirits that derive their names from geographical locations seemed to hit a new low today as the chair ended a meeting after 15 minutes because of lack of movement. “The chair seemed quite bitter,” two participants said. The chair, Ambassador Manzoor Ahmad of […]
Biggest Developing Countries Present TRIPS Amendment Proposal 07/06/2006 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The world’s largest developing countries are seeking an amendment to international trade rules to provide more protection for genetic resources and traditional knowledge used in patent applications, and have presented the amendment proposal to other governments with mixed results. Brazil, India and China are among the eight countries that have publicly supported the proposal to […]
Brazil Fights To Make Case For International Biodiversity Protection 31/05/2006 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Brazil has arguably the earth’s richest source of biological diversity, and it is fighting to get help at the international level to protect those natural resources from what it says is unfair exploitation through patents by companies and others in and outside Brazil. While industry argues that the Brazilian law regulating the use of genetic […]
No Progress In WTO GI Extension Talks, Next Steps Unclear 13/04/2006 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Officials holding consultations at the World Trade Organization today on whether geographical indication (GI) protection for wines and spirits should be extended to other products completed a list of questions on the issue, but made no progress on bridging differences. The next steps are now unclear as the overall WTO negotiations deadline of July is […]
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 […]
EU Addresses Concerns Over GI Register As Rival Plan Gains Support 17/03/2006 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By William New and Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen The European Union on Friday continued its fight at the World Trade Organization for a binding register of traded products that are protected because their names and character derive from places, often in Europe. But it may be headed for an eventual compromise as support appears to […]
WTO Negotiators Reopen Talks On GI Extension With No New Movement 16/03/2006 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Key delegations on opposite sides of a proposal at the World Trade Organization to higher protection for geographical indication (GIs) beyond wines and spirits again listened to each other’s arguments today, but neither camp moved closer to compromise, according to participants. The informal consultations were chaired by WTO Deputy Director General Rufus Yerxa. A significant […]