WTO Negotiators Draft Register For Geographical Indications 14/01/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment In what the World Trade Organization is signalling as a breakthrough, negotiators have come up with a draft text for an international register of geographical indications for wines and spirits, or product names derived from places or special characteristics. The register was agreed to as part of the 2001 Doha Round of talks, but has […]
Lawmakers Backing Comcast-NBC Merger Were Paid By Comcast 13/01/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch 4 Comments Comcast gave money to the vast majority of the 97 members of the US House of Representatives that signed a letter to the Federal Communications Commission urging approval of a merger between cable company Comcast and broadcaster NBC Universal, according to research. The 5 January letter, linked here [pdf] and circulated by nonprofit group Public […]
Report Shows IP Rightsholders Being Left Behind Online 12/01/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A new private sector report shows that billions of visitors are going to websites selling products and services worldwide, but accentuates the fact that most of these visits involve transactions not controlled by the intellectual property rights owners.
WTO Plans Talks On Geographical Indications 11/01/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments World Trade Organization members are scheduled to meet this week to discuss a geographical indications register as part of the intensifying negotiations under the Doha Round.
EFF Examples Of Public Benefit Of Wikileaks 11/01/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The Electronic Frontier Foundation has posted several examples of benefits to the public of disclosures of confidential documents by Wikileaks. Details here.
IP-Watch In Podcast On Patent Trolls + IP And Development 05/01/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Intellectual Property Watch Director and Editor-in-Chief William New recently participated in a podcast discussing IP and development, particularly at WIPO, and the latest on patent trolls around the world.
New Guide To TRIPS Health Provisions In FTAs 05/01/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment A new policy guide has been released that analyzes the public health effects of intellectual property rights provisions in bilateral trade agreements. The guide has a special focus on the Eastern Mediterranean region.
Net Censorship Fears As Hungary Takes EU Presidency 03/01/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment An internet civil liberties group in Hungary has warned that the country’s new media law gives the government censorship authority, threatening freedom of speech and independent journalism. The law took effect on 1 January – at the same time Hungary assumed the six-month presidency of the European Union, raising fears of EU level spread of such policies.
Drug R&D Advocate Named Kenyan Ambassador To UN Geneva 03/01/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment An official who is has been an active voice in access to medicines policymaking in Geneva has taken over as the new permanent representative of Kenya to the United Nations Office at Geneva.
New Leadership At INTA 03/01/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The International Trademark Association today announced the appointment of its 2011 president, the first INTA president from a non-English speaking country.