WTO’s Lamy Continues Engagement On Intellectual Property Issues 14/05/2009 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment World Trade Organization Director General Pascal Lamy continues to be engaged on intellectual property issues as WTO members begin to revive broader trade negotiations. This week Lamy hosted the heads of the World Intellectual Property Organization and World Health Organization together, and then chaired a consultation with ambassadors on proposals to amend WTO rules on intellectual property and trade.
UK Patent Office To Fast-Track Green Inventions 14/05/2009 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The United Kingdom will now fast-track patent applications for inventions that could have a significant impact on combatting climate change. The “green” patent initiative was launched on 12 May by David Lammy, UK Minister for Intellectual Property. It will enable UK businesses working in green technologies to get patent rights faster, according to the UK […]
French Parliament Passes Final Internet Anti-Piracy Law; Reaction Expected 13/05/2009 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments The French Senate’s vote on Wednesday sealed the adoption by the Parliament of the controversial French HADOPI law creating a graduated punishment mechanism for alleged copyright infringement on the internet.
Seven Names Said To Be Chosen For Top WIPO Posts 13/05/2009 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Word is out among Geneva diplomats that seven officials have been informally proposed to be the next cabinet of World Intellectual Property Organization Director General Francis Gurry.
HADOPI Bill Adopted Tuesday By French Deputies 12/05/2009 by Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The much-disputed French HADOPI legislation on the diffusion and protection of works on the internet was adopted Tuesday by the French National Assembly by a majority of 296 in favour and 233 against. With Tuesday’s passage, alleged copyright infringers now face, among other things, suspension of their internet access while still having to pay for […]
May Edition Of IP-Watch Monthly Reporter Now Available 12/05/2009 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 May edition is now available for subscribers.
Argentina Copyright Case Brings Access To Education Into The Spotlight 12/05/2009 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 7 Comments An Argentinean philosophy professor is being sued for alleged copyright infringement for posting translated versions of French philosopher Jacques Derrida’s works on a website, according to the Copy South Research Group. The case is bringing international attention to the limitations on access to education brought about by copyright.
WIPO Patent Cooperation Committee To Proceed With Study With Constraints 12/05/2009 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment World Intellectual Property Organization members on Friday overcame anxiety about overreaching of the UN body and agreed to study the Patent Cooperation Treaty, including proposals aimed at improving the efficiency and implementation of the treaty, taking into account some members’ concerns.
The World Is Going Flat(-Rate) 11/05/2009 by Intellectual Property Watch 34 Comments A new study shows a copyright exception for legalising file-sharing is feasible, as a cease-fire in the “war on copying” emerges. A new social contract between creatives and society is needed, says media sociologist Volker Grassmuck.
Golan Case May Put US In Violation Of International Copyright Treaties 08/05/2009 by Steven Seidenberg for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment A United States federal court recently gave some bad news to the US government and many foreign copyright owners – including the estates of Sergei Rachmaninoff, Dmitry Shostakovich, Sergei Prokofiev, and Igor Stravinsky. The court struck down a US statute which had restored copyright protection to the works of these foreign authors. By limiting copyright restoration, the ruling might prevent the US from fulfilling its obligations under the Berne Convention and the World Trade Organization Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS).