Both Sides Claim Victory In US Music Industry File-Sharing Litigation 01/10/2008 by Bruce Gain for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment By Bruce Gain for Intellectual Property Watch Five years and over 30,000 lawsuits later, both sides in the music industry’s legal battle against illegal file-sharing in the United States claim they are prevailing.
US Congress Hastens Through Flurry Of IP Legislation Before Departure 01/10/2008 by Liza Porteus Viana, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By Liza Porteus Viana for Intellectual Property Watch In the waning days of this congressional session in the United States, US lawmakers are passing a flurry of intellectual property-related bills. One of the bills awaiting President Bush’s signature would create a position of a top intellectual property official in the White House. Another bill would […]
Internal EU Documents On WIPO Gap Analysis 30/09/2008 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The Council of the European Union has prepared a confidential draft contribution to the World Intellectual Property Organization gap analyses on traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions, which will be discussed at the WIPO Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore from 13 to 17 October.
Optimism Reigns As WIPO Assemblies Close, Gurry Takes Office 30/09/2008 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By William New Member governments of the UN World Intellectual Property Organization concluded this year’s annual assemblies with high optimism for the future of the intellectual property system and for the organisation. “We’re glad to see WIPO back to its routine,” a Brazilian official said after the assemblies adjourned Monday night. “This General Assembly signals […]
WIPO Assembly To Wrap Up Early; Budget Issues Wait For December 26/09/2008 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By William New and Kaitlin Mara Member governments of the World Intellectual Property Organization completed their annual General Assemblies earlier than scheduled this year, but some of the most difficult decisions – such as the budget – will be addressed at a special session in December. Issues tackled in the final two days included the […]
Biotech, Pharma Industries To Target IP Protection Legislation, Patent Reform 26/09/2008 by Liza Porteus Viana, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By Liza Porteus Viana for Intellectual Property Watch When the new administration and Congress come into office following the November elections in the United States, the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries will prioritise protection of their intellectual property and innovative biological drugs as the push for cheaper, generic versions gets stronger. Patent reform also will continue to be a lobbying priority, as well as making sure intellectual property is protected in any forthcoming international trade agreements.
WHO Asserts Global IP And Health Strategy Progressing But Offers Few Details 25/09/2008 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By Kaitlin Mara Work is ongoing within the World Health Organization on a member-mandated global strategy on public health, innovation and intellectual property, a WHO official said Tuesday. But little information about that work has been forthcoming since the strategy was approved in May. The “silence of the WHO doesn’t mean we haven’t been doing […]
“IP5” Biggest Patent Offices Meet As WIPO Assembly Proceeds On Policies 25/09/2008 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By William New Top officials from the world’s five biggest patent offices met Wednesday night in Geneva to discuss ways to further harmonise their activities, United States Patent Commissioner John Doll told Intellectual Property Watch. Meanwhile, members of the World Intellectual Property Organization gave direction to committees on enforcement, copyright, and traditional knowledge and genetic […]
Green Marketers Discuss IP Protection For A Greener Market 23/09/2008 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By Kaitlin Mara As more companies embrace environmental sustainability as an essential part of business strategy, policymakers have been questioning what they can do to create a policy environment conducive to green business. Intellectual Property Watch spoke to several green business professionals to get their view on the IP policy environments in which they work.
Idris Bids WIPO Farewell; Newly Appointed DG Gurry Outlines Initiatives 22/09/2008 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 4 Comments By William New Australian Francis Gurry became the next in a short list of leaders of the World Intellectual Property Organization Monday, and promptly signalled a programme of increased multilateralism and bolstered global and local relevance for the United Nations body. Gurry’s appointment to director general followed an emotional farewell to WIPO by Kamil Idris, […]