Medicines Patent Pool Boosts HIV Drug Prospects With First Licence 12/07/2011 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 4 Comments The Medicines Patent Pool and pharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences today announced a breakthrough licence agreement to allow for the production of key HIV medicines at lower cost and in an easier-to-use formulation, making them more accessible to developing countries. The agreement also opens up the use of treatments for Hepatitis B for the first time.
WIPO Ventures Into Global Debate On Climate Change 08/07/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The World Intellectual Property Organization is continuing its push to become involved in some of the biggest policy questions of the day with an international conference on climate change next week. This follows recent efforts on public health and food security.
UN Body Addresses Problems With IP Rights Within Europe 08/07/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) is holding a two-day meeting to increase awareness of intellectual property rights throughout the region.
Non-Communicable Diseases Issue Energises Public Health Policymakers 07/07/2011 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Concern over non-communicable diseases – traditionally a more developed-country set of problems like diabetes – is energising the international public health policy community. But representatives of the public interest are still grappling with their response.
CERN Issues Open Hardware Licence For Electronic Designs 07/07/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The European Organisaton for Nuclear Research (CERN) today issued an open hardware licence for electronic designs, following its principle of “open science.”
Spain, Italy File Opposition To EU Unitary Patent 07/07/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The governments of Spain and Italy have filed complaints with the European Court of Justice calling for the annullment of a March European Council decision to create an EU unitary patent.
UNAIDS Praises India’s Vow Not To Negotiate Away Generics 06/07/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) today praised the commitment made by India’s Commerce Minister not to negotiate stronger intellectual property rights provisions that could undermine India’s global leadership in the production of affordable generic AIDS drugs.
WHO Expert Group Sifts Ideas For A New Global Drug R&D Mechanism 05/07/2011 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment A diverse team of global experts on public health research and development will meet this week behind closed doors to analyse proposals for ways to fund R&D on diseases afflicting poor populations – and for who should coordinate such global efforts.
WIPO Panel Weighs Role Of Internet Intermediaries In Online Copyright Infringement 01/07/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The role and responsibility of internet intermediaries in the protection of copyright is under debate in several policy fora and often brings up issues such as privacy, access to knowledge, and freedom of expression. A panel was organised last week at the World Intellectual Property Organization to explore the viewpoints of several but not all stakeholders on this issue.
OECD Holds Ground On Strong IP Internet Policy Principles 30/06/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) today published a communiqué on principles for internet policy-making slanted toward intellectual property enforcement after fending off efforts by public interest groups to soften some of its edges.