BRICS Launch Their Own Plan For IP Cooperation; India Defends Itself 27/11/2013 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Developing countries have been under pressure for years to join the global intellectual property system established by developed countries, and they have been doing so gradually. But now the leading emerging economies have taken matters into their own hands and signed an IP cooperation roadmap among themselves that will boost their uptake of IP in a way that is most favourable to them.
US Supreme Court Questions America’s Power To Carry Out Treaties 26/11/2013 by Steven Seidenberg for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment On 5 November, the United States Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a case that could undermine America’s ability to carry out its treaty obligations. The case casts a shadow over the country’s power to implement a wide variety of international agreements, including trade and intellectual property agreements.
Medical R&D Projects Proposed By WHO Regions Show Diversity 26/11/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The regions of the World Health Organization earlier this month submitted their proposals for projects to boost research and development of health technologies for diseases disproportionately affecting developing countries and lacking a market incentive. A shortlist of projects will be selected by a group of WHO-chosen experts at a 3-5 December meeting in Geneva.
International Organisations, Industry, Launch Campaign Against Fake Medicines 26/11/2013 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Ten global health organisations today launched “Fight the Fakes,” a global campaign against “fake” medicines, aimed at raising awareness about medicines – brand or generic – that are not what they claim to be. Meanwhile, a Swiss pharmaceutical company official was named head of investigations at a top international public health organisation.
Global Patent Harmonisation Proceeding Outside WIPO – And Gently Within 25/11/2013 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment For years, the developed countries that own the vast majority of the world’s patents – and therefore pay the majority of the revenues of the World Intellectual Property Organization – have looked unsuccessfully for a way to increase harmonisation of the global patent system through the UN agency. Developed countries have moved forward on their own, while WIPO is taking a gentle approach, encouraging member states “look below the headline issue” to a more “granular” level.
South-South Cooperation Rising; WIPO Pushed To Persevere In Its Efforts 25/11/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The importance of cooperation among developing and least-developed countries in the field of intellectual property is rising, and is a key vector of technology-sharing, according to speakers at a conference on the subject at the World Intellectual Property Organization. Developing countries are strongly in favour of further work in this area, while WIPO will soon launch a dedicated webpage on South-South cooperation.
Spirit Of Innovation Runs High At South African IP Conference 25/11/2013 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA – An industry-government conference here last week captured the high spirit of innovation in South Africa, and discussed ways in which intellectual property rights play a role in the effort.
Rea Departs, Focarino Takes Over As Head Of USPTO 22/11/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment US Patent Commissioner Margaret A. (Peggy) Focarino today took over the duties as head of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), after Acting Director Teresa Rea’s resignation took effect on 21 November, the USPTO said in a release.
Goodlatte Patent Bill Heads To House; Trolls Not So Bad, After All? 22/11/2013 by Liza Porteus Viana, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment As a bill aimed at curbing patent “trolls” and frivolous patent lawsuits makes its way through the United States Congress and states fight their own troll battles in the name of consumer protection, some patent attorneys and stakeholder groups want lawmakers to slow down and take a breath.
Independent Assessment Of Development Dimension In WIPO Delayed 22/11/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments World Intellectual Property Organization delegates could not find agreement on how to carry out an independent review of the implementation of how the 2007 WIPO Development Agenda Recommendations have been implemented in the organisation.