Development In Indian IP Law: The Copyright (Amendment) Act 2012 22/01/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch 7 Comments India’s Copyright Act, 1957 has been significantly amended. In May 2012, both houses of the Indian Parliament unanimously placed their seal on the Copyright Amendment Bill, 2012, bringing Indian copyright law into compliance with the World Intellectual Property Organization “Internet Treaties”. In this article, attorney Abhai Pandey breaks down the changes.
Packed WHO Executive Board Agenda Highlights Need To Streamline Priorities 21/01/2013 by Rachel Marusak Hermann, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments World Health Organization Director General Margaret Chan today opened the 132nd meeting of the Executive Board, the UN agency’s highest authority, emphasising the importance of cost-effectiveness and results-driven operations at a time of global economic austerity and precarious funding.
US FTC Finds Sharp Rise In ‘Pay-For-Delay’ Deals Blocking Generics 18/01/2013 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The United States Federal Trade Commission, which keeps an eye out for anticompetitive behaviour, has issued a study finding that in 2012, a record number of deals were struck between brand-name and generic drug companies to keep the lower-priced generics off the market. Such deals, which arise from patent disputes, cost American consumers billions of dollars annually while piling on the federal deficit, it said.
EPO Sees Record Patent Filings, Grants 18/01/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The European Patent Office has announced that it reached new records in 2012 for patent filings and patents granted, according to preliminary figures. The United States remained at top, but growth was fastest in Asia, while European filings remained stable, it said.
Official Offers Reflections On WHO Reform, Private Sector Role 18/01/2013 by Tiphaine Nunzia Caulier for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment In 2011, Margaret Chan, director general of the World Health Organization, launched a major reform of the United Nations organisation. This week, a presentation and discussions around the WHO reform by Gaudenz Silberschmidt, senior adviser in the WHO Office of the Director-General, highlighted the reason for this reform, its organisation and the possible impact the reform could have on the relationship between the pharmaceutical industry and the WHO.
Syngenta Opens Doors To Its Patented Technologies, For Easier But Not Free Access 18/01/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments A new innovation platform launched yesterday by Syngenta, the international agri-business company, means to broaden availability to some patented traits and technologies for vegetables, but also aims at opening new ways to use the intellectual property system.
The Big Shift: A Look At Key Issues In International Copyright In 2013 17/01/2013 by Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Although pressure on internet service providers and other online companies to stop digital infringement isn’t likely to abate this year, the current focus on enforcement appears to be giving way to a broader debate about how to resolve long-standing copyright issues to the benefit of users and the global economy. Talks continue in the World Intellectual Property Organization and elsewhere on exceptions and limitations, as the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement remains controversial.
US Senate Judiciary Committee 2013 Agenda Includes Privacy, Press Freedom 17/01/2013 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The United States Senate Judiciary Committee in 2013 will address topical issues of gun violence and immigration, but will also take up issues of citizens’ civil liberties in light of ever-increasing security measures, and a push for government transparency, freedom of the press, digital rights, access to books for the visually impaired, and incentives for innovation.
Free Drugs Are “Crucial Part” Of Neglected Tropical Disease Fight 16/01/2013 by Rachel Marusak Hermann, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The World Health Organization reports that unprecedented progress has been made in addressing 17 parasitic diseases affecting the world’s poorest populations. The public health authority attributes the gains, in large part, to the contributions of global partners, including drug contributions made by research-based pharmaceutical giants.
Business’ Privileged Access To EU-India Trade Documents 16/01/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The Corporate Europe Observatory and the European Commission presented their arguments in a case over access to documents about the EU-India free trade agreement before the General Court of the European Union in Luxembourg last Friday.