Industry Report On Trade Secret Theft, Congressional Demand For IP Protection, As US-China Meet 01/05/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A report released today asserts that trade secret theft is occurring on a massive scale worldwide, and that most companies are not taking sufficient steps to stop it. The report, which comes on the eve of bilateral economic meetings between the United States and China, offers a set of recommended actions for companies and others. Also today, leading Democratic members of Congress urged the Obama administration to demand improvements in China on intellectual property rights protection.
Music Industry Groups Await Judgment On Breakthrough Royalty Agreement 01/05/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Groups representing a range of music industry companies in the United States recently struck what they call an “historic” agreement on the tricky matter of mechanical royalty rates and standards in a digital age. Now, they are awaiting final approval on the agreement.
Lines Of Geographical Indications Debate Begin To Take Shape In The United States 01/05/2012 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The United States has historically demonstrated little interest for geographical indications but recent developments seem to indicate that actors are taking stands on the issue.
Study On Non-Agricultural GIs Supported By European Commission 01/05/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The European Commission Directorate General for Internal Market and Services has awarded a contract to three lobbying groups promoting geographical indications to conduct a study on GIs.
Some Major Trading Partners Are Biggest IP Violators, USTR Says 01/05/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments The United States Trade Representative’s office yesterday issued its annual report naming countries that it says are the biggest infringers of US intellectual property rights, among them some of the country’s biggest trading partners. Meanwhile, questions were raised about the close adherence to industry views in the report.
Diplomatic Arm-Wrestling Over Scope Of International Telecommunication Regulations Treaty 30/04/2012 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments As the International Telecommunication Regulations (ITRs) treaty comes under review, some observers are warning that it could change the rules of the game in internet governance. Others are trying to give reassurance that the new ITRs aim at enabling better access to telecommunications everywhere.
Confidential Documents Show Tough Staff Choices At Global Fund 27/04/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Once seen as a rising star on the global public health scene, the Geneva-based Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria is in the throes of a top-down reform as it seeks to tailor its efforts to meet new realities, especially reductions in funding. While the new administration works to improve performance, a confidential document obtained by Intellectual Property Watch shows the terms on which departing staff is being asked to separate from the international organisation.
Global Internet Governance: From Multistakeholder To Autopilot 27/04/2012 by Rachel Marusak Hermann, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment In recent decades, far-reaching international cooperation has led to the development of global multistakeholder governance of the internet. While efforts to further enhance cooperative mechanisms are ongoing, one business leader with an inside track suggests that in a couple of decades, the internet will be governing itself.
Day Marked By Initiatives On The Benefits Of IP, Open Technology 26/04/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Intellectual property rights have been around for centuries in some cultures, but in recent decades have taken off as a global set of rules, bringing with it many business opportunities and policy concerns. Today, on the annual day designated for the celebration of IP rights, some new industry and civil society initiatives were launched and several gatherings in praise of IP were held.
Top Internet Experts Debate IP And Digital Content; WIPO A Balancing Mechanism, Gurry Says 25/04/2012 by Rachel Marusak Hermann, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Intellectual property was identified at this week’s Global INET conference as one of the most complex issues in the public policy debate related to the internet. With creative works abundantly available to copy, share, mashup and distribute, managing IP rights, obligations and limitations has never before been so complicated and controversial.