ITU In A Converging World — Interview With ITU Strategist Alexander Ntoko 06/04/2010 by Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments The International Telecommunication Union, based in Geneva, is a 191-member United Nations body. Intellectual Property Watch recently spoke with Alexander Ntoko, a top strategist in the organisation about priorities in this critical year, inclusion of the public interest, and how convergence is bringing more issues related to digital content to the traditional telecom body.
Risk Of Wrongful Medicines Seizures Seen In EU-Central America Trade Deal 06/04/2010 by David Cronin for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment A new accord designed to bolster political and economic ties between the European Union and Central America could result in greater seizures of medicines whenever pharmaceutical companies allege that their patents have been infringed, public health advocates have warned.
China’s Latest Draft Disposal Rules For Patents In Standards A Step Forward? 01/04/2010 by Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments On 21 January, 2010, the China National Institute of Standardization (CNIS) issued and requested comments from all stakeholders on its Disposal Rules for Inclusion of Patents in National Standards (Disposal Rules).
Unbiased HIV Patent Pool — A Free-Market, Middle-Income Countries Open Model 01/04/2010 by Intellectual Property Watch 4 Comments Brand name pharmaceutical companies’ concerns about profit losses related to the UNITAID patent pool might undermine access to newer and appropriate HIV medicine formulations in resource-limited settings. A universally agreed strategy to supplement UNITAID plan is therefore needed, writes Daniele Dionisio.
Semicolon Leads To Breakthrough In Long-Stalled Negotiations 01/04/2010 by Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments Applause burst from the plenary chamber this week as delegates at last found, in a semicolon, the solution to a long-running and at times sharply divided multilateral negotiation.
Pointed Exchange Of Views At WHO Briefing On Counterfeit Drugs 31/03/2010 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Work to address counterfeit medicines continues at the World Health Organization, but a meeting late last week revealed ongoing concerns about the way it is being conducted.
March/April Edition Of IP-Watch Monthly Reporter Now Available 31/03/2010 by Intellectual Property Watch, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The Intellectual Property Watch Monthly Edition features top news on international IP policymaking, the latest on who is coming and going in the international IP community, news briefs and more. The March/April edition is now available for subscribers at: http://www.ip-watch.org/user/newsletter.
Proponents Seek To Develop Policy Potential Of US Geographical Indications 31/03/2010 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Advocates of stronger protection of geographical indications are working to develop greater awareness in Geneva policy circles, trying to win over countries reluctant to adopt a specific GI protection system.
WHO Undertakes Independent Review Of Its Pandemic Flu Efforts 30/03/2010 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The World Health Organization’s handling of the recent pandemic influenza outbreak will be examined by an independent panel of experts beginning in April. Meanwhile, new reports from the WHO are available on influenza and on intellectual property and innovation.
US Court Ruling Casts Gene Patenting Into Doubt 30/03/2010 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment A New York federal court ruled yesterday that patents on genes associated with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer are invalid, in the first time a court decided that patents on genes are unlawful, according to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).