AIDS Patients Protest EU-India Trade Agreement 12/03/2010 by Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments Patients with HIV/AIDS today protested in New Delhi against negotiations for a European Union-India free trade agreement that they say will restrict access to cheaper versions of critical medicines in developing countries. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF, or Doctors without Borders) said in a statement that India is the source of more than 90 percent of […]
European Generics Industry Calls For “Urgent Patent Reform” 11/03/2010 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment “Competition and real innovation” will be increasingly difficult if the patent system in Europe is not reformed, the European Generic Medicines Association (EGA) said today at its “Legal Affairs Forum,” which took place on 11 March. The European Patent Office must “look to improve the quality of patent examinations and applications and accelerate examination and […]
Indian Civil Society Raises Concerns Over US Industry-Sponsored IP Summits 11/03/2010 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments Public interest groups in India are raising questions over annual summits involving Indian judges and policymakers that are being funded by major western industry groups, in particular pharmaceutical companies. At this year’s summit, held recently, a section of India’s patent law which prevents the extension of monopoly power for incremental innovations came under attack, the groups have said.
New US Senate Patent Reform Bill Brings Many Reactions 11/03/2010 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Reactions have emerged since last week’s release by United States Senate Judiciary Committee bipartisan leaders of details of compromise legislation to reform of US patent laws. Most are generally positive, signalling that a long-sought compromise might be near, but strong reservations remain among some stakeholders.
US On International Trade Crusade With New Agenda 11/03/2010 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The recently released US annual trade agenda shows an intention to conquer new international markets, strengthen the global trade system and enforce obligations and US intellectual property rights. The US also means to address what they consider as trade barriers. [Update: President Obama spoke on the trade agenda today, more below.]
European Parliament Votes To Rein In Anti-Counterfeiting Treaty 10/03/2010 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The European Parliament today voted overwhelmingly in favour of a demand to be kept fully informed about the secretive Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement under negotiation by the European Commission and about a dozen countries outside Europe. Parliament also opposed controversial provisions such as personal searches at European borders and cutting internet access for anyone found infringing copyright online three times.
Leading IP Offices Target Patent Backlog, Economy; Differ On Harmonisation 10/03/2010 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The backlog in patent processing could impose £7.6 billion (about USD$11.3 billion) in annual expenses on the global economy within the next five years if nothing is done to fix it, according to a new economics study from the United Kingdom released this morning before directors of several top global intellectual property offices.
Interview With Bill Pollock, Founder Of No Starch Press 10/03/2010 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Bill Pollock is the president and founder of No Starch Press, which publishes books on computing. Known to offer the “finest in geek entertainment,” the publishing house has released such titles as “Steal This Computer Book,” “How Linux Works,” “Hacking: The Art of Exploitation,” “The Cult of Mac,” and “The Unofficial LEGO Builder’s Guide.” Its books are largely about hacking, open source, security, programming, and non-Windows-based operating systems, such as Linux. Mr. Pollock shared his thoughts with Intellectual Property Watch about hacking, piracy, and future of the book publishing business.
ITU: ICT Regulation Can Be Economic Stimulus 09/03/2010 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The United Nations International Telecommunication Union (ITU) today released an annual report on information and communications technologies that prompted it to push governments to support continued investment in network rollouts and technology upgrades while pursuing regulations that support still-growing demand for mobile and broadband services. ITU issued its 10th edition of Trends in Telecommunication Reform, […]
Google, ITU Address Policies Of Global Internet Freedom 09/03/2010 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch 5 Comments A representative of Google and of the United Nations International Telecommunication Union today spoke of internet freedom in repressive regimes and censorship in Western democracies.