President Obama Sends Two WIPO Copyright Treaties To US Senate For Ratification 10/02/2016 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Today, United States President Barack Obama sent two signed multilateral copyright treaties negotiated at the World Intellectual Property Organization to the US Senate for ratification.
Music Copyright 101: A Brief Rundown Of Legal Status In The United States 10/02/2016 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment “The world of music rights is divided into two major segments: compositions and sound recordings,” said Kenneth Steinthal, partner, King & Spalding, San Francisco, who opened a panel at Yale Law School last week with a baseline understanding of music copyright. Steinthal gave a textbook rundown of the complicated status of music copyright that puts […]
Kenyan Musicians Escalate Fight For Royalties 10/02/2016 by Fredrick Nzwili for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment NAIROBI, Kenya — The battle for music royalties in Kenya has spurred musicians and artists to demand transparency and accountability in the Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK), the body that collects and distributes the fees.
Performer Lady Gaga (And Her Mom) Defend Internet Domain 09/02/2016 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Well-known performer Lady Gaga successfully gained ownership of a web address in the name of her foundation, according to a World Intellectual Property Organization document released today. Image Credits: Michael Spencer
EU Regulation On Identifier For Medical Products Published 09/02/2016 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment An anti-counterfeiting regulation on a unique identifier for medical products to ensure their authenticity was published today in the European Union.
Plant Treaty In 2016: Sustainability Solutions, Farmers’ Rights, Global Information System 09/02/2016 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The International Plant Treaty, which established a global system to make available genetic materials for main agricultural crops for farmers, plant breeders and scientists, and in exchange provide a system of benefit sharing, has been struggling to find ways to be financially sustainable for some time. This year, the treaty will work on ways to do that, including in devising a subscription system that would reach a twin goal: avoiding non-payment of voluntary contributions, and ensuring a sustainable and predictable income stream. In addition, a global consultation on farmers’ rights is planned, and work should be ongoing on a global information system allowing more visibility for plant genetic material for food and agriculture.
2016: UPOV Works To Improve Breeders’ Applications, Civil Society Calls For Alternative System 09/02/2016 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The Geneva-based International Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) provides intellectual property rights protection for plant breeders. In 2016, the organisation is planning to work on systems to facilitate breeders’ applications for new varieties. Meanwhile, civil society is calling for ways to protect plant varieties other than through UPOV, which they see as hindering farmers’ rights.
Sweden Telecom Official Göran Marby Named To Lead ICANN 09/02/2016 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Senior Swedish official Göran Marby today (8 February) was announced as the new president and CEO of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, succeeding Fadi Chehade who leaves the ICANN to join the World Economic Forum in mid-March. Marby will be the first European to lead ICANN, the internet domain system technical oversight body.
The Zika Virus Challenge: Mapping A Policy Path To Vaccine Development 08/02/2016 by Priti Patnaik for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The lack of preparedness to counter the effects of Zika virus follows a familiar script – a virus known since 1947, but one that has no currently available vaccine or treatments, like many neglected tropical diseases. This case could be illustrative of the wider struggle to finance investments into neglected diseases, but may tell a different story given its rarity of occurrence. It also may demonstrate how the World Health Organization is re-emerging as the global leader on response to outbreaks.
The Year Ahead In Biotechnology And Intellectual Property 08/02/2016 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments The year 2016 promises to be rich in debates on plant patenting, protection of genetic resources and traditional knowledge, and biopharmaceuticals. Here are some key issues and dates to watch for.