EuroDIG 2016: Multi-Stakeholder Soul-Searching 09/06/2016 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Some 800 registered participants gathered for the European Dialogue on Internet Governance (EuroDIG) in Brussels today to talk about internet privacy, security and access. Besides the topical issues, the opening sessions speakers came back time and again to the discrepancy of theory and practice of the much-belaboured “multi-stakeholder principle.”
New Ideas Coming For WTO TRIPS Council; But Also Old Debate Over EU Drug Seizures 09/06/2016 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The European Union presenting its new Trademark Directive during this week’s meeting of the World Trade Organization intellectual property council heard concerns of possible seizures of generic medicines transiting through Europe. Meanwhile, the new Council chair’s attempts at revitalising discussions between member states received general approval. And a new agenda item on e-commerce was launched.
Industry, Researchers Make Case For Patents And Innovation At WTO 09/06/2016 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Panellists at a side event this week at the World Trade Organization reminded delegates of the view that patents and a strong innovative environment are key to innovation, and in particular to green technology. A Swiss start-up company developing a technology allowing industrial farmers to optimise their use of chemicals and pesticides said it would […]
Special Report: Roundup Of US Copyright Office Review Of US Law 08/06/2016 by Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The United States Copyright Office is examining how provisions of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) and the 1976 Copyright Act are working and whether any changes, legislative or otherwise, are needed. Not surprisingly, there are broad differences of opinion among rights owners, public interest groups, users of copyrighted works and the high-tech community on both questions.
Antibiotic Resistance Is “Already Here” And Pipeline Is Dry, UK Health Minister Tells UN 08/06/2016 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments NEW YORK — An estimated one million people may already die each year because they are resistant to all known antibiotics, and the number could reach 10 million per year and devastate the world economy by 2050 unless key steps are taken, experts from the United Kingdom and South Africa told a press briefing on antimicrobial resistance at United Nations headquarters today.
“Mozart 4.0” Program Seeks A Global IP And Innovation Culture 07/06/2016 by Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Cultural mindset plays a key role in determining how entrepreneurial a region will be and how effectively its intellectual property will be used, Ludovit Garzik, managing director of the Austrian Council for Research and Technology Development and Innovation Orbit said at an 11 May Oxfirst webinar. The goal is for different cultures to understand how each innovates, leading to global IP, Garzik said.
WIPO Members Agree New Text On IP And Genetic Resources; Move Talks Forward 06/06/2016 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment World Intellectual Property Organization members negotiating for an instrument to protect against theft of genetic resources last week agreed on a new text with more options on legal terms, effectively moving the talks forward. In this round of talks, the African Group showed signs of moving off its position of revoking patents for violators, while the United States came out strongly against disclosure of origin at the expense of amiable relations with key allies.
Rwanda Releases New Tariff Levels On IP, Signs UPOV 91 Biotech Rules 06/06/2016 by Hillary Muheebwa for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The government of Rwanda has revised the fees and cost to be paid for the registration of different categories of intellectual property rights. The changes mean lower fees for all types of IP rights, and gives more time to oppose registrations. Rwanda also enacted a law on seeds and plant varieties.
US Blindsides Allies Over Patents And Genetic Resources At WIPO 05/06/2016 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The United States may have hoped for a different result last week when it alienated allies at the World Intellectual Property Organization by issuing a rash criticism of Switzerland’s policy on patents and genetic resources and threatened to follow with more.
IP-Watch Seeking Writers In Brussels, Washington 03/06/2016 by Intellectual Property Watch, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Intellectual Property Watch is seeking occasional Freelance Writers based in the Washington DC Metro area, San Francisco Bay area, and in Brussels or London. Writers will assist with reporting, writing and publishing stories on international intellectual property and innovation policymaking and law. We are looking for writers who are experienced with delivering multimedia content on a digital news platform and through social media.