Brazil And The Defence Of Public Health: Do As I Say, Not As I Do 17/02/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments A recent decision issued by Advocacia-Geral da União (Advocacy-General of the Union) restricts the role performed by Anvisa – the National Agency for Health Surveillance – in examining pharmaceutical patent applications. This may represent a huge setback for commitments made by Brazilian government related to the protection of public health, writes Felipe Carvalho.
Retired US Copyright Chief On Copyright Clearance Center Board 17/02/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The appointment of former United States Register of Copyrights to the board of directors of the Copyright Clearance Center (CCC) was announced yesterday.
Parliament Approves European Directive Against Falsified Medicines 16/02/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The European Parliament today approved a new law aimed at preventing falsified medicines from entering the legal supply chain, according to a Parliament press release. The law needs to be formally approved by the Council of Ministers.
Columbia Law Expert On Telecom, Copyright To FTC 16/02/2011 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment A respected US law professor has been named senior advisor to the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for consumer protection and competition issues that affect the internet and mobile markets.
Senior Changes At The Gates Foundation With An IP Twist 16/02/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The head of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Global Health Program intends to retire from his position in June, according to a press release. Meanwhile, Microsoft’s leading international advocate for intellectual property rights has joined the Gates Foundation Global Health Program.
Obama 2012 Budget Proposal Reduces Exclusivity For Biologics 16/02/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Shortly after passage last year of the US healthcare reform act called for a regulatory pathway to bring follow-on biologic drugs, or biosimilars, to market with 12 years of data exclusivity for brand-name producers, the Obama administration has proposed to reduce that time to its original 7 years, according to sources. The move, contained in the 2012 budget proposal, is expected to allow lower priced generic versions of drugs to enter the market sooner, a benefit to consumers.
European Commission Sued On EU-India Bilateral Trade Deal 16/02/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Watchdog organisation Corporate Europe Observatory (CEO) yesterday filed a complaint at the European General Court against the European Commission’s denial of access to information on the EU-India bilateral trade talks.
WTO GI Discussions Gather Speed, Parties Watchful Until Negotiations 15/02/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The international protection of wines and spirits named after geographical locations has seen renewed attention at the World Trade Organization since the beginning of the year as part of a push to conclude the Doha Round of trade liberalisation. Legal effects and costs of a register for such wines and spirits were addressed last week.
Australia Accused Of Using Development Aid To Push Trade Agreements 15/02/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment A United Nations independent expert yesterday issued a statement on Australia’s aid programmes for countries in need, praising some of the country’s work but warning that it not use such aid to pressure regional governments to enter into free trade agreements with it.
USPTO Requests Budget Increase, Expects Rise In Applications 15/02/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The United States Patent and Trademark Office yesterday submitted a request to the US Congress for a budget increase in 2012 on expectations of a rise in patent and trademark applications and promises of reductions in application processing times.