Funds For US State Dept. Global IP Enforcement Training 11/09/2009 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The United States State Department has received requested funding to operate 11 projects totalling nearly $4 million in fiscal year 2009 “combat transnational crime and promote the protection of intellectual property rights worldwide,” according to State. The funds enable US law enforcement agencies and diplomatic missions to “collaborate in the delivery of criminal enforcement training […]
‘Positive Noises’ On Resuming Talks On WIPO Audiovisual Performances Treaty 09/09/2009 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The World Intellectual Property Organization this week may have witnessed the beginnings of a resumption of high-level negotiations on an international treaty on the protection of audiovisual performances.
Non-Commercial Groups Oppose Changes In ICANN Committee 09/09/2009 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Structural reforms within the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) that altered the representation of non-commercial interests of internet users in ICANN policy development are “seriously flawed,” according to the body’s non-commercial users’ group. ICANN is the non-profit body that provides technical coordination of the internet. An open letter, available here, was sent […]
Third Revision Of Patent Law In China 08/09/2009 by Intellectual Property Watch 5 Comments The third amendment of China’s patent law will enter into force from 1 October, 2009. In this article, Wenting Cheng explores the major changes in substantive requirements for patent grant, post grant enforcement and adaptation of Chinese patent law to international norms on the protection of intellectual property.
WTO Ruling On Brazil-US Cotton Opens Door To Cross-Retaliation Against IP Rights 07/09/2009 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The World Trade Organization has issued an arbitration report in a dispute between the United States and Brazil over US cotton subsidies, giving Brazil the right to use trade countermeasures against the US, and in certain circumstances to suspend intellectual property obligations.
Early Drafts Show Disagreement On UN Framework For Climate Services 04/09/2009 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Senior officials from well over 100 nations at a five-day United Nations conference on Thursday issued a succinct declaration committing them to establish a global framework on the delivery of products and services related to climate change. But earlier negotiating versions of the declaration from the week obtained by Intellectual Property Watch show substantive disagreement and the removal of pages of draft text.
USPTO-Pfizer Workshop On IP & Innovation In Mumbai 04/09/2009 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The United States Patent and Trademark Office is teaming up with US pharmaceutical company Pfizer to hold a workshop in Mumbai, India on 9 September on “intellectual property and innovation in the pharmaceutical industry.” Presentations at the non-governmental session will include Dominic Keating of the US embassy in New Delhi speaking on “incremental innovation and […]
Punke Nominated As WTO Ambassador; Stoll To Succeed Doll As US Patent Commissioner 03/09/2009 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The Obama administration on Thursday announced several key changes related to intellectual property rights and trade.
Antigua Company Pushes Debate On Implementing WTO TRIPS Cross-Retaliation 03/09/2009 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments A website providing unlimited music and movies for a token price is seeking to take advantage of a 2007 World Trade Organisation ruling between the Caribbean nations of Antigua and Barbuda and the United States, which granted Antigua the right to suspend some US intellectual property rights obligations. The action raises questions about implementation of cross-retaliation rulings, in which the complaining country can seek damages in a different sector than that in which the harm was incurred.
Gene Patenting In Question In The US, EU; New Resistance Effort 02/09/2009 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments A recent lawsuit involving patents on human genes related to cancer brought against the United States patent office, a biotechnology company and a foundation has attracted international attention to the issue of gene patenting, and on 27 August a group of influential associations voiced their opposition to such patents.