Antimicrobial Resistance Needs Research, Regulation, Speakers Say 26/10/2016 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The issue of antimicrobial resistance has been in the spotlight in recent months as a growing awareness of the threat it represents for humanity has pushed discussions at the multilateral level. This week, the World Health Organization, World Intellectual Property Organization and World Trade Organization organised a symposium on the subject. Speakers discussed needs and potential solutions.
‘WHO Is Not Just Seeking To Be A Firefighter’ – Peter Salama On Reform And Emergency Response At The UN Health Agency 26/10/2016 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Under its new health emergencies program, the World Health Organization is setting up an improved structure for global health emergencies like the Ebola outbreak. But the UN agency is also opening itself up to a role as partnership broker to ensure the world has what it needs when the emergencies arise. And in doing so, WHO is trying to ensure that it remains the central player in global policy discussions and is not just an emergency response unit.
WHO, WTO, WIPO Put Their Collective Mind To Antibiotic Resistance Calamity 25/10/2016 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Resistance to antibiotics by bacteria has been steadily growing and is now considered as a major threat to global public health, with some catastrophic projections of millions of death and billions of dollars in economic impact. The World Trade Organization, World Health Organization and World Intellectual Property Organization today are holding a joint technical symposium on antimicrobial resistance, and how to encourage innovation, appropriate use of antibiotics, and wide access to treatments and diagnostics.
Farm-Saved Seeds Sow Discord; Breeders, Users, Seek Clear Definition At UPOV 25/10/2016 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment When a harvested material from a protected plant variety, such as seeds, is used for further sowing and cultivating, royalties need to be paid to the breeder of this protected variety. However, according to breeders, farm-saved seeds are sometimes used as an excuse to avoid paying royalties, and clear definitions should be established internationally. Conversely, small farmer associations think that once farmers buy a protected variety, they should be able to re-use those seeds, exchange or sell them. The International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) organised a Seminar [pdf] on Propagating and Harvested Material in the Context of the UPOV Convention on 24 October.
From Personality To Property: Data Protection Needs Competition & Consumer Protection Law, Conference Says 25/10/2016 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment MUNICH — Will personal data become a property right licensed to those who give you the best deal for it? Researchers at a conference convened by the Max Planck Institute for Innovation and Competition in Munich delved into a future “holistic approach” of intellectual property, data and consumer protection, with additional assistance from competition law.
Freedom To Utilize Genetic Resources? The Nagoya Protocol Two Years Later 24/10/2016 by Guest contributor for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment At its second anniversary, the Nagoya Protocol is ushering in an international access and benefit-sharing (ABS) system that may impact the freedom to operate with genetic resources. Those who utilize genetic resources and information should understand the emerging framework and take actions to reduce the risk of patent invalidation, legal liability and reputational harm that may flow from a violation of ABS requirements, writes Bruce S. Manheim.
UN Meeting Looks At Legally Binding Instrument On Corporations And Human Rights 24/10/2016 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment A gathering at the United Nations in Geneva this week is hearing a litany of views on a prospective legally binding international instrument to regulate within human rights law the activities of transnational corporations and other businesses. The meeting is being webcast live.
US Copyright Office: Pallante Resigns; Search On For New Register [Updated] 24/10/2016 by Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments The United States Copyright Office Register of Copyrights Maria Pallante has changed roles to become senior advisor for digital strategy. In her place, Karyn Temple Claggett will move up to serve as acting register of copyrights while a search is conducted for the next permanent register.
Report: IP Rights, Corporate Interests Threaten Small Farmers’ Right To Seeds, Biodiversity 24/10/2016 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment A new report by civil society groups defending the right to food and nutrition lays bare threats to seeds and biodiversity created by intellectual property rights, and calls for states to respect their human right obligations to protect small farmers’ right to seeds and food security.
US High Court Puts Unreasonable Delay On Trial 21/10/2016 by Steven Seidenberg for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment On its face, the case is a humdrum, procedural dispute about a patentee’s delay in filing an infringement suit. But if the Supreme Court rules the way most experts expect, the decision will significantly enhance the power of patent trolls and others alleging patent infringement, and it will harm many companies doing business in the US – especially companies in the tech sector. Much hangs in the balance on 1 November, when the Supreme Court hears oral arguments in SCA Hygiene Products AG v. First Quality Baby Products, LLC.