Experts Discuss Policy On Patent Landscapes For Life Sciences 22/04/2008 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By Kaitlin Mara Access to quality data in intellectual property policy in the life sciences is as necessary as it is hard to obtain, said a recent meeting of technical experts, called to discuss challenges in patents and innovation in medical, agricultural, and other biological technologies. Patents on life sciences figure into the “key debates […]
Mobile Phone Manufacturers Seek To Control Rising IP Costs 21/04/2008 by Tatum Anderson for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment By Tatum Anderson for Intellectual Property Watch A proposal by some of the world’s largest mobile phone equipment manufacturers to limit royalty fees on a next-generation wireless technology is the latest in a series of initiatives to try and control spiralling intellectual property costs.
Further Resolution Needed To Keep IP Issues In WTO Negotiations 18/04/2008 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By Kaitlin Mara Intellectual property rights issues on the table in the newly invigorated World Trade Organization negotiations are at risk if remaining deep differences cannot be further narrowed in the coming weeks, WTO Director General Pascal Lamy said Thursday. “I have called for continued consultations between the groups of members concerned to resolve this, […]
Innovative Partnership To Create Another Patent-Free Malaria Drug 17/04/2008 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment By Catherine Saez After an innovative partnership between a non-governmental group and a pharmaceutical company led to a new cheap non-patented drug against malaria being available in Africa in 2007, the model is being implemented again with another new non-patented anti-malarial drug being delivered to South American patients. The Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi), […]
German Enforcement Directive: Industry Favour Or Necessary First Step? 17/04/2008 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch The German Parliament last Friday passed changes in copyright, patent and other intellectual property-related laws with the aim of better enforcement of IP violations in civil rights cases. The changes transpose the much-debated European Union IP Enforcement Directive (IPRED) into German law. IPRED contains general obligations, precautionary and corrective measures, damages and extended information rights for rights owners in civil law complaints aimed at third parties like internet service providers (ISPs).
US Patent Reform Stalls as Senate Negotiations Break Down 15/04/2008 by Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment By Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch United States Senate negotiations on sweeping reform of the patent system foundered late last week as ongoing disputes over key provisions – and possible squabbling over confirmation of federal judges – resulted in S 1145 being pulled from the floor schedule for the time being. “We are not […]
European Parliament Rejects Proposal to Make ISPs Shut Off Suspected Pirates 10/04/2008 by Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment By Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch The European Parliament on Thursday urged governments not to authorise shut-off of internet access in cases of suspected copyright piracy. The subject of the vote, an own-initiative report on promoting European cultural industries by French Socialist Parliament Member (MEP) Guy Bono, has stirred up a hornet’s nest of […]
EPO Head Sees Need To Review IP Rules For Climate Change 10/04/2008 by David Cronin for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By David Cronin for Intellectual Property Watch BRUSSELS – Changes to intellectual property rules may be needed to facilitate the use of technology aimed at addressing climate change, the head of the European Patent Office (EPO) has suggested. Next month, the 34-country EPO will host what it claims is the first major international conference to examine the patenting issues raised by global warming. Alison Brimelow, the EPO’s president, said the European Patent Forum in the Slovenian capital Ljubljana will give an opportunity to exchange ideas on whether the international system for regulating intellectual property should be modified.
WIPO Director General Candidates Prepare To Face Governments, NGOs 10/04/2008 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment By William New The candidates to be next director general of the World Intellectual Property Organization will get a chance to show their talents next week to government and non-governmental representatives. On Monday, 14 April, the candidates will face WIPO members in the plenary hall, one candidate at a time, according to sources. The next […]
Seeking GI Protection For Feni, An Indian Brew With A Strong Whiff 09/04/2008 by Frederick Noronha for Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments By Frederick Noronha for Intellectual Property Watch GOA, INDIA – Feni, liquor distilled from cashew apple, is a traditional drink from a small state. Centuries after it was first used in its native Goa, the alcohol is seeking to branch into new markets and attract more drinkers. Officials here believe the geographical indication route could […]