The ACTA Threat To The Future Of WIPO 14/04/2009 by Intellectual Property Watch 25 Comments Developing countries would do well to demand a place at the table as negotiations for an Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement undermine the multilateral approach to intellectual property policy making, argues Michael Geist.
Surprise Rejection Of French HADOPI Bill 09/04/2009 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment In an unexpected turn of events, the French HADOPI legislation on the diffusion and protection of works on the internet was rejected by the French National Assembly Thursday by a vote of 21 to 15. This was expected to be the final ratification of the law, already approved by the French Senate and a first […]
Officials Working Informally Toward May Consensus On Avian Flu Preparedness 08/04/2009 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment An informal meeting last week brought together interested parties from different regional groups, as well as representatives from vaccine manufacturers, as a part of a process to resolve contentious issues on pandemic influenza preparedness remaining from the last formal meeting in December.
President Obama Backs RIAA In Online File-Sharing Case 07/04/2009 by Bruce Gain for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment President Obama’s US Department of Justice (DOJ) recently filed a legal brief in support of damages sought by an affiliate of the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), prompting some observers to speculate on the Obama administration’s impartiality in the RIAA’s file-sharing litigation campaign.
Enzymes A Potential Planet-Saver, But Heavy Patenting Necessary, Industry Says 07/04/2009 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments A dominant global producer of enzymes is arguing that enzymes in biotechnology can make a significant contribution to global environment improvement, but this effort comes with heavy patenting by the company.
People: Kean Out At WHO; US Trade Team In Place 06/04/2009 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The latest news on people in the international IP community.
Industry Urged G20 To Consider Importance Of IP 06/04/2009 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Industry representatives sent a message to the Group of 20 leaders last week that intellectual property rights should be given more attention by governments and could bring benefit to the global economy if properly protected. A representative from the Confederation of British Industries said policymakers should assess the economic value of IP, IP offices should […]
Trademark Decision Brews Up French-Press Coffee Competition 06/04/2009 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Connoisseurs of French-press coffee based in the United States will still be able to choose between two competing distributors for their favourite brewing device following a recent US court decision over trademark rights on the distinctive coffeemakers.
Special Interests Seeking Power In ICANN’s New Stakeholder Group 04/04/2009 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, which coordinates the global domain name system, is in the process of reforming its core bodies, and consumer representatives and others see a possibility to inject more balance into the international organisation’s stakeholder groups long dominated by a range of private sector representatives.
Study: Blanket Licence For Non-Commercial Copies Needed 04/04/2009 by Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments A blanket licence for non-commercial copies is the logical answer to the technology revolution brought on by the internet. This is the conclusion of a study by the Institute of European Media Law commissioned by the German Green Party and presented in Berlin on 3 April. The study argues that a blanket licence would not […]