EU Flags Geographical Indications In WTO Trade Talks Paper 22/06/2006 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment In a new European Union communication to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in the ongoing agriculture negotiations, the EU has moved its call for higher intellectual property rights protection for product names deriving from geographical locations to the top of its list of demands. At issue is Europe’s wish to better protect its geographical indications […]
India, Brazil Explain Need For TRIPS Biodiversity Amendment; Plus Interview With Alan Oxley 22/06/2006 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment India, Brazil and other countries are calling for an amendment to the 1994 World Trade Organization Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) [WTO document WT/GC/W/564Rev.1] to help countries to better protect their biological resources and traditional knowledge that appear in patent applications. The proposal for a TRIPS Article 29bis is under debate […]
World Bank Report Urges Caution In Adopting Plant Breeding IP Policy 21/06/2006 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Developing countries should use international law on plant breeding but not necessarily sign up to binding conventions as they could have a negative impact, argues a new World Bank-commissioned report presented at a joint event on 20 June at the World Trade Organization. The report was authored by Niels Louwaars of the Centre for Genetic […]
WIPO Members To Approve Senior Appointments; Remove Retirement Deal 19/06/2006 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Member governments of the World Intellectual Property Organization who act in a coordinating capacity for the UN body today indicated acceptance of the officials proposed by the WIPO director general to act as his cabinet for the next three years, according to sources. But the governments rejected a proposal to give the appointees a WIPO […]
WTO Geographical Indications Discussion Moves To Higher Level 16/06/2006 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment While there was little movement at a World Trade Organization meeting (WTO) on intellectual property rules this week, one of the IP issues in the current round of trade talks has been elevated to a consultation of ambassador-level officials under special invitation, sources said. The IP issue is geographical indications (GIs) and a proposal to […]
EU Gets Little Support For Enforcement Proposal at WTO; CBD Issue Unresolved 16/06/2006 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The European Union got little support for its proposal to add further enforcement measures into international trade law on intellectual property at a World Trade Organization (WTO) meeting on 15 June, according to participants. This was the last day of the 14-15 June meeting of the Council on the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of […]
Brazil, India Get Developed Country Support For TRIPS Amendment On Biodiversity 15/06/2006 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Two new proposals on the relationship of international agreements on the protection of biodiversity were discussed at the World Trade Organization (WTO) yesterday, one of which supports a developing country view. But member states still disagree as to whether there is a conflict between international rules. The new proposals were tabled by Japan [Japan Proposal] […]
Geographical Indications Register Still Stuck As WTO Meetings Continue 13/06/2006 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment World Trade Organization (WTO) discussion of a multilateral register for wines and spirits that derive their names from geographical locations seemed to hit a new low today as the chair ended a meeting after 15 minutes because of lack of movement. “The chair seemed quite bitter,” two participants said. The chair, Ambassador Manzoor Ahmad of […]
June Edition of IP-Watch Monthly Reporter Now Available 08/06/2006 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment In June, the Intellectual Property Watch Monthly Reporter features the latest on who is coming and going at the UN, the Geneva missions and NGOs, plus briefs on new reports and events, and a handy summary of the 2006 World Health Assembly. For this and more, visit the June edition of the Intellectual Property Watch […]
Biggest Developing Countries Present TRIPS Amendment Proposal 07/06/2006 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The world’s largest developing countries are seeking an amendment to international trade rules to provide more protection for genetic resources and traditional knowledge used in patent applications, and have presented the amendment proposal to other governments with mixed results. Brazil, India and China are among the eight countries that have publicly supported the proposal to […]