US Business, Government Work To Bring Down ‘Dangerous’ UN Panel Report On Access To Medicines – And Change The Debate In Geneva 23/02/2017 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments Calling it flawed and narrow and seemingly threatened by its contents, the leading United States business group and US government IP specialists are working to limit the impact of a recent United Nations report that made recommendations for the decades-old problem of ensuring affordable medicines reach people when they are under patent in a way that does not threaten innovation. One step in countering the UN report? Change the discourse in Geneva and elsewhere.
New WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement Seen Benefiting Developing Nations, Global Trade 23/02/2017 by Peter Kenny for Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments Multilateral institutions have received a lift with the realization of the World Trade Organization’s Trade Facilitation Agreement that is expected to provide a boost to sluggish international commerce by cutting out clogging regulations. Image Credits: Peter Kenny
Intellectual Property Watch Welcomes Three New Board Members 22/02/2017 by Intellectual Property Watch, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment With the start of a new era in providing high-quality global news and information, Intellectual Property Watch is proud to announce the addition of three distinguished and eminent experts in their fields as new members of the IP-Watch Board of Directors.
TRIPS Council To Consider The Two Sides Of IP – Innovation Booster And Barrier 21/02/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The role of intellectual property in innovation is expected to be considered through different lenses at the upcoming meeting of the World Trade Organization committee on intellectual property. A group of developed countries have proposed an agenda item on inclusive innovation in micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, while discussions are expected on the report of the United Nations Secretary General’s High-Level Panel on Access to Medicines, and a side event featuring High-Level Panel members has been convened by a group of developing countries. Electronic commerce, and in particular copyright issues and electronic signatures are also on the agenda next week.
ARIPO, OAPI To Harmonise Practices On Intellectual Property In Africa 21/02/2017 by Hillary Muheebwa for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) and its sister organisation, Organisation Africaine de la Propriété Intellectuelle [African Intellectual Property Organization] (OAPI) have signed a memorandum of understanding to harmonise the intellectual property systems of the two institutions.
Dismantling Of LiMux On Eve Of Pirate Party Security Conference 20/02/2017 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment MUNICH — For the Pirate Party gathered at the Pirate Security Conference (PirateSecon) in Munich this is bad news. On the eve of the PirateSecon, held alongside the big Munich Security Conference, the city council of Munich decided to reverse the once-celebrated migration to LiMux, its much reported about Linux platform. For the German Pirate Party, the dismantling of “LiMux” is a step in the wrong direction. At the third edition of the Pirate Security Conference Pirate Party members from Luxembourg, Iceland, Switzerland and the Czech Republic discussed how to take back data and even algorithms – and how to win elections.
European Parliament Passes CETA After Debate Over Whether It’s A Good Or Bad Deal 15/02/2017 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments After a somewhat tumultous debate, the European Parliament today in Strasbourg voted in favor of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) with Canada. With 408 members of Parliament voting in favour and 254 against (33 abstentions) the 1598-page thick deal can become provisionally effective as early as April. The national parliaments still have to ratify it over the coming months, and possibly years.
Kenya Works With Communities On Genetic Resources And Traditional Knowledge Protection 15/02/2017 by Justus Wanzala for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment NAIROBI, Kenya — Excessive degradation and over-exploitation of plant biodiversity in Kenya has led to depletion of some species and narrowed their genetic base. Apart from the conservation challenge, utilisation and sharing of benefits from plant genetic resources and traditional and associated knowledge among communities has also remained opaque despite constitutional guarantees.
European Parliament Demands Transparency In Expert Groups, Protection For Whistleblowers 14/02/2017 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The European Commission is reforming the way it populates its “expert groups” which has been criticized as unbalanced and non-transparent for years. But the European Parliament is not satisfied. In a report on its own initiative passed in Strasbourg today practically unanimously (663 in favour, 16 against, 13 abstentions), the Parliament requested the Commission make public how it decides the composition of expert groups and explain which interest groups are to be represented and how geographical and political interests will be balanced.
Fashion Law – New US/EU Legislation And Retailers: Customer Data And Trademarks 14/02/2017 by Kim Treanor for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment NEW YORK — The fourth annual Fashion Law Seminar, organised by the Federal Bar Association Intellectual Property Section, presented on new legislation in the United States and European Union, and its potential impact on domestic and transnational retailers.