CSIS Report Finds Tech, Innovation Partnership Opportunities In Developing Countries 07/09/2017 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment “There are clear opportunities to accelerate and expand opportunity through innovation and technology around the world,” finds a new report from the Washington, DC-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). And the United States – and any other developed country – would do well to position itself as a “partner of choice for developing countries that want to transform their economies through science, technology and innovation,” it said. But strong intellectual property rights and a business-friendly environment are a necessity, it argues.
European Libraries’ Five Principles For Open Access Negotiations With Publishers 07/09/2017 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment European research libraries have issued five principles for libraries to use when holding open access negotiations with publishers, seeking to prevent over-charging and promote transparency and sustainable access.
Comings And Goings In The International IP Community Year To Date 06/09/2017 by Catherine Saez and William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Heading into the final stretch of the year, it is a good time to catch up on all of the staff changes that have occurred in governments, industry, law firms and nongovernmental organisations related to the IP community in Geneva. Here is a rundown of some of top moves made by people since the start of the year.
NAFTA Second Round Ends With Unspecified “Important” Progress, Single Consolidated Text 06/09/2017 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Ministers from Mexico, Canada and the United States concluded the second weeklong round of negotiations for an updated North American Free Trade Agreement in the past four weeks, and claimed progress on “important” issues and the shaping of a text with some 24 chapters. But the government officials offered no specifics to the public.
Workshop To Address Public Interest And CRISPR Gene Editing, CAR T Cancer Treatment 04/09/2017 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Experts at a one-day workshop in Washington DC next week will discuss public interest aspects of patents and two breakthrough new medical technologies related to gene editing (CRISPR) and cancer treatment (CAR T).
Is India’s Expedited Examination Of Patents A Big Deal? 04/09/2017 by Patralekha Chatterjee for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment In recent days, the Indian news media has been awash with stories about a patent granted within a record 113 days. The norm, till very recently, was anywhere between three to five years and sometimes more. However, change is in the air.
In-N-Out vs. Smashburger: A Juicy US Burger Lawsuit Invokes Multiple Trademark Law Doctrines 04/09/2017 by Guest contributor for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment In a US burger battle, it appears that Smashburger may soon end up with a bad taste in its mouth if In-N-Out’s allegations in its latest trademark complaint against Smashburger are proven true.
Key IP Delegates In Geneva – Fully Updated! 01/09/2017 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Geneva, Switzerland is the gathering point for the world’s governments to set international policy and practices relating to intellectual property rights, as they cut across many of the public policy issues of the day (eg innovation, trade, internet, health, food), including at the World Intellectual Property Organization, World Trade Organization and World Health Organization. Everyone has a stake in what governments and their stakeholders do in these venues. But who do you talk to in order to get your message through? Now Intellectual Property Watch has fully updated its unique list of the diplomats representing many of the key nations in those institutions in Geneva. Available here for subscribers only!
Between Human Rights And IP: An Interview With Laurence Helfer, Co-Author Of Guide To Marrakesh Treaty Implementation 31/08/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment When in 2013, in Marrakesh, Morocco, a new World Intellectual Property Organization treaty establishing exceptions and limitations for people with visual impairment was adopted, it was hailed by some as a miracle. Entered into force in 2016, the way states implement the treaty is of major importance for the World Blind Union (WBU) so that the treaty serves its purpose to expand access to books for visually impaired people. Laurence Helfer is co-author of a Guide: The World Blind Union Guide to the Marrakesh Treaty: Facilitating Access to Books for Print-Disabled Individuals. Alongside the recent session of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, he sat down with Intellectual Property Watch Senior Writer Catherine Saez to explain the main aims and messages of the Guide.
New Guide Shows How Best To Implement Marrakesh Treaty So Books Are Accessible To Visually Impaired 31/08/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The World Blind Union (WBU) has recently issued a guide to the World Intellectual Property Organization treaty providing copyright exceptions for visually impaired people. If the treaty was hailed by all, the way it is implemented could be a gamechanger, and the WBU provides advice to all stakeholders, and in particular governments, so that the treaty is interpreted and implemented to the best interest of the visually impaired. The union also warns against the implementation of two optional provisions, which they say could run counter to the aims of the treaty.