US Patent Reform Signed Into Law 16/09/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch 5 Comments US President Obama today signed a bill into law that many patent professionals and international observers may never have thought they’d see: the widescale reform of US patent law. What the impact will be on the US economy or on other nations remains to be seen.
NCDs Pose Major Threat to Public Health, WHO Reports 15/09/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The greatest threat to global public health is not infectious diseases according to the World Health Organization. In a report released this week, the WHO found that noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are the top cause of death worldwide. The report details the NCD situation in 193 countries and comes as world leaders prepare to meet at the United Nations high-level meeting on NCDs in New York on 19-20 September.
South Africa Conference On IP And Innovation 14/09/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment A conference being held in South Africa this week will address the sensitive topic of intellectual property and innovation in the developing country context. On hand will be a top team of developed country experts with a mix of Indian and Chinese specialists.
WTO Forum Looks At 21st Century Trade Challenges 13/09/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The theme of this year’s World Trade Organization Public Forum, to be held at the organization’s headquarters in Geneva from 19-21 September, is “Seeking Answers to Global Trade Challenges.” Recognizing the widening gap between existing trade rules and the realities of the 21st century, the forum focus is on ensuring that WTO policy keeps pace with today’s fast changing world.
US Charges Movie Download Site With “Criminal Copyright Conspiracy” 09/09/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A grand jury in the United States has charged website Ninjavideo.net with criminal copyright conspiracy for allowing large-scale unauthorised movie downloads, the US Justice Department announced today.
IFRRO: Collective Management For Orphan Works 08/09/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The International Federation of Reproduction Rights Organisations (IFRRO) has submitted comments on the proposed European Union directive on orphan works, which aims to increase legal certainty for use of creative works whose copyright holders cannot be found. The group, which represents collective management organisations, authors and publishers, called for collective management and licensing for orphan works.
US Patent Reform Cleared For Senate Vote, Likely This Week 07/09/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The United States Senate voted to invoke cloture and limit debate on patent reform Tuesday night, with a vote of 93-5. The measure, HR 1249, the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act, now will go to the Senate floor for debate and final passage; a vote could happen as early as Thursday.
US Justice Dept Files Antitrust Lawsuit Against AT&T / T-Mobile Merger 31/08/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The United States Department of Justice today announced it has filed an antitrust lawsuit to block US telecommunications company AT&T from acquiring one of its top rivals, Deutsche Telekom’s T-Mobile. The Justice Department cited likely harm to innovation and consumers as reasons.
EPIP Brussels Event Looks At Current Issues In IP Policy 24/08/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The annual conference of the European Policy for Intellectual Property Association on 8-9 September in Brussels will bring together leading figures in the international IP community to look at contemporary issues in IP policy.
UN Highlights IP Rights For Indigenous Peoples’ Day 10/08/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment In recognition of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, the secretary of the United Nations on 9 August raised the complex issue of intellectual property rights and indigenous knowledge. The Director General of the UN World Intellectual Property Organization also issued a message straddling the issue of IP rights and community ownership of traditional knowledge and resources.