A High-Level Collegium Calls For New Global Governance 07/03/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A collegium of scientists, philosophers and former heads of state launched an appeal yesterday in Geneva for world governance they called “Global Solidarity, Global Responsibility.”
Berlin Court Rules Facebook Violates User Rights 07/03/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The District Court of Berlin, Germany, yesterday ruled that user rights were violated by several parts of social media site Facebook’s general terms and conditions and by its “friendfinder” feature. With regard to copyright law, the automatic worldwide exploitation right granted by users clicking off the terms and conditions was invalid, the court ruled.
Study Seeks To Correct Flaws In Europe’s Copyright Levy System 07/03/2012 by Maricel Estavillo for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A recent study has proposed at least two measures to address the gnawing problems in Europe’s copyright levy system, which is being implemented differently in 22 countries in the region.
US Congressman Posts ACTA For Open Debate 07/03/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment A United States congressional representative has posted the text of the controversial Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) to the internet and is calling for public comments out of the fear that the agreement will harm the open internet.
Cybersquatting Cases Reached New Record In 2011, WIPO Reports 06/03/2012 by Maricel Estavillo for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The number of cybersquatting cases filed with the arbitration body of the World Intellectual Property Organization reached a record high in 2011 with 2,764 cases filed by trademark owners, the UN agency reported today. WIPO also expressed alarm over the potential impact on cybersquatting of a move underway to add more generic domain names to the internet.
EU Digital Commissioner: Open Public Data, The Oil Of The Digital Age 05/03/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Neelie Kroes, vice-president of the European Commission responsible for the Digital Agenda, today called for public data to be opened up for all to use, somewhat akin to providing the free oil of the digital age.
WIPO Sets Record For International Patent Filings In 2011; LDCs Not A Factor 05/03/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The World Intellectual Property Organization today announced that it had set a new record for filings of patents at the international level in 2011, in what the UN agency attributed to a focus on innovation. Patents filed under the WIPO-managed Patent Cooperation Treaty shot up more than 10 per cent last year in the fastest growth since 2005, and a Chinese company took top honour for most filings.
Internet Governance In 2012: Reaching New Heights Or Hitting A Wall 05/03/2012 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment There will be more than 50 important meetings talking internet in 2012, and activists and government alike have started calling for streamlining or better cooperation and focus. Yet what might make 2012 a very notable year with regard to the politics of the net is not these meetings, but the rising storms blowing over the net regarding day to day internet politics. The preliminary stop of the un-beloved SOPA/PIPA legislation in the United States and the unexpected hesitation of Europe to sign the controversial ACTA agreement gave a first taste of a hot year in internet governance.
European Parliament Hears Pitch For ACTA; But Did It Change Minds? 02/03/2012 by Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The controversial Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement consumed hours of European Parliament time this week as the European Commission sought to persuade lawmakers to approve it. But no matter how often EC officials, academics and lawyers said the treaty will not change EU law, scepticism still remains about its potential impact on digital freedoms and access to generic medicines in developing countries – including from the Parliament member who will author the legislative report.
Novartis Before India’s Supreme Court: What’s Really At Stake? 02/03/2012 by Rachel Marusak Hermann, Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments As the Novartis Glivec patent case in India reaches the final phase of a long-running legal battle, there’s one point on which both the Swiss pharmaceutical company and its critics agree: the significance of this case goes far beyond the protection of a single medication.