Academics Debate Patent “Exhaustion Doctrine” 20/10/2009 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Can a patent-holder ask for royalties from third-party purchasers? The United States Supreme Court said ‘no’ in the 2008 landmark case Quanta Computer Inc. v. LG Electronics Inc. (IPW, US Policy, 25 June 2008). But what does this decision mean for both patent law and rights holders? Five academics – Richard A. Epstein, F. Scott […]
Lamy Reports On TRIPS Consultations 20/10/2009 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Director General Pascal Lamy of the World Trade Organization reported today to member states on his most recent consultations on outstanding issues of the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS). He was speaking in his capacity as chairman of the high-level Trade Negotiations Committee. His 8 October consultation addressed questions posed by […]
EFPIA Unveils Anti-Counterfeit Authentication System 20/10/2009 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A pilot project intended to counter the challenge of counterfeit medicines entering the legitimate supply chain has been launched this week in Sweden by the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations. The project involves individually identifying packs of medicine through the use of a small “data matrix” which, when scanned, can give pharmacists information […]
Spurring Local Innovation In Africa By Improving Access To Information 19/10/2009 by Robinson Esalimba for Intellectual Property Watch and William New 1 Comment Greater awareness of the existence of open access information resources for innovation and making the information easily accessible and relevant to developing country users could help spur innovation in these countries, according to top technical assistance providers and local innovators.
German Internet Blocking Bill Suspension 18/10/2009 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment In a “turn back the clock” action, the German Liberal Party (FDP) – which is negotiating with Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Christian Democratic Party (CDU) on the programme of the coalition government – is pushing a suspension of the blocking bill some feared would hamper information flow on the internet. The much debated bill, passed earlier […]
Panel Calls For An Ethical Framework For IP And Climate Change 16/10/2009 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments BANGKOK – Normal negotiation strategy is unlikely to result in an impact on climate change, since the most important stakeholders in fighting it – not yet born – have no seat at the negotiating tables, said a panel last week in Bangkok. An ethical approach is a better way to achieve results, speakers said, and an ethical take on intellectual property rights and alternative forms of innovation may have a place in new climate-friendly economic models.
How The “Machine-Or-Transformation” Test In Bilski Is Failing 16/10/2009 by Intellectual Property Watch 5 Comments Charles Macedo and Norajean McCaffrey write that in the upcoming Supreme Court case on the Bilksi “machine-or-transformation” test, the Federal Circuit departed from Supreme Court precedent, and they suggest how to put the law of patent-eligible subject matter back on track.
October Edition Of IP-Watch Monthly Reporter Now Available 16/10/2009 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a 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 October edition is now available for subscribers.
ACTA Text Revealed To 42 Select Insiders 15/10/2009 by Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments In the weeks leading up to the next negotiating session (first week of November in Seoul) of the secretive Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement, 42 Washington, DC-area insiders, mostly from industry, were invited by the United States Trade Representatives to see copies of its text on the internet, according to a new report. In response to a […]
European Union Prepares A New Intellectual Property Rights Strategy 15/10/2009 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch 5 Comments Intellectual property rights and their protection will be high on the agenda of the European institutions in the upcoming legislature, representatives from the European Commission, European Council and the European Parliament said at the first European Innovation Summit in Brussels yesterday. Stronger IP rights (IPR) protection was declared by representatives of all three institutions as indispensable to promote innovation and the knowledge society, while only a few voices were raised asking not to overreach in IPR regulation.