UN SDGs Need U-Turn On Governance For Health 24/09/2015 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, to be adopted this week at UN Headquarters, could fall short of its health targets unless the governments embark on “U-turn” changes to rectify the dysfunctions in global governance that undermine health, writes Daniele Dionisio.
Cuba And Your Global Trademark Strategy 24/09/2015 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment After 54 years, the American flag has once again been raised over the American Embassy in Cuba. What does the newfound activity in Cuba mean for your brand? Is it time to protect your trademark in Cuba? The answer from most is a hearty “yes,” writes Pam Huff.
Overall Dip In IP Crime Thanks To Successful Partnerships, UK IP Office Says 24/09/2015 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The United Kingdom Intellectual Property Office in conjunction with the IP Crime Group, made up of representatives from industry, law enforcement and government, have released official figures illustrating a decrease in the number of intellectual property crimes reported over the last year.
Are The UN And WIPO Drifting Apart? 23/09/2015 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment NEW YORK – As some of the most powerful people on earth prepare to gather here later this week at the United Nations to discuss the biggest problems and opportunities facing humankind for the next 15 years, mention of a key issue underlying many themes – intellectual property – is hard to find. Also hard to find is reference to the UN agency responsible for the issue, the World Intellectual Property Organization.
African Group Proposes Permanent Traditional Knowledge Committee At WIPO 23/09/2015 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments In a couple of weeks, the World Intellectual Property Organization will hold its annual General Assembly. The African Group is asking the Assembly transform the committee devoted to finding a way to protect genetic resources, traditional knowledge and folklore from misappropriation into a standing committee. This would allow the committee to avoid seeking the renewal of its existence every two years, which it faces again at this year’s Assembly.
USPTO Director Addresses ‘Unacceptable’ Gender Gap In Sci/Tech Fields 23/09/2015 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The alarming statistic that women hold less than 25 percent of science and technology jobs in the United States, despite making up nearly half of the workforce, brings home the extent to which women are underrepresented in this domain, says US Patent and Trademark Office Director Michelle Lee.
Paper: Strict Plant Variety Protection In Africa Goes Beyond International Regulation 22/09/2015 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A new paper by a Norwegian researcher finds that recent legislation efforts on plant variety protection in Africa go beyond the requirements of the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV).
Top US Lawmakers On Trade Urge Action On India’s Treatment Of IPRs 22/09/2015 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The top members of US Congress and the Senate responsible for international trade issues today urged the Obama administration to push for changes to India’s handling of intellectual property rights and technology. The United States and India are preparing for high-level bilateral meetings. The elected officials’ positions appear to be similar to those of US […]
WIPO: Progress On 2016-2017 Program/Budget, But Final Work Left To Assembly 21/09/2015 by William New and Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Members of a World Intellectual Property Organization committee last week reached some tough agreements on issues relating to the next two years’ program and budget, but had to pass on unfinished work to the full WIPO membership, which will meet in two weeks.
EPO: 1000s Of Patents Behind The Beer At Munich’s Oktoberfest 18/09/2015 by Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The Munich Oktoberfest, the world-famous beer festival, is a display for a range of inventions, according to the Munich-based European Patent Office. A search in the patent database of the office revealed there are more than 2,000 European patents in every beer tent.