WIPO Members Send Draft Treaty For The Blind To Marrakesh 22/04/2013 by William New and Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Members of the World Intellectual Property Organization have completed work on a draft treaty on copyright exceptions for the blind and visually impaired and agreed to move to a diplomatic conference in Morocco in June. But the text contains many areas displaying the difficulty in easing cross-border access to materials for blind people while protecting copyright holders’ interests.
WIPO Delegates Progressing On Once-Moribund Broadcasting Treaty 16/04/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment A meeting meant to advance discussions on a treaty to protect the rights of broadcasting organisations held last week at the World Intellectual Property Organization yielded substantive results, according to the meeting chair. However, civil society remains cautious about potential side effects of such an instrument, while countries appear to have divergent views on the practicalities of the treaty.
EU General Court Clears Copyright Collecting Societies Of Antitrust Charges 12/04/2013 by Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment European copyright collecting societies are not engaged in a cartel but the European Commission was correct in finding that some of the provisions in their reciprocal representation should be barred, the EU General Court (GC) said in a 12 April ruling. The case, which pits the International Confederation of Societies and Authors (CISAC) and 24 of its members against the EC, could be appealed to the EU Court of Justice (ECJ). CISAC said the decision proves its contention that it was not engaged in a conspiracy to restrict competition, and that it has already done away with the complained-of clauses. Separately, the ECJ has been asked to tackle several key issues in a German matter involving standards-essential patents encumbered with a fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory (FRAND) licensing agreement.
Protection of Broadcasting Organisations, Another Treaty Brewing At WIPO 09/04/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments The protection of broadcasting organisations will be discussed at the World Intellectual Property Organization this week as delegates are expected to work on a text that could become an international treaty.
WIPO Reports Another Record In Cybersquatting Disputes In 2012 28/03/2013 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment It was another record year in 2012 for cybersquatting cases filed at the World Intellectual Property Organization Arbitration and Mediation Centre. In addition, WIPO announced results of a survey that show that its mediation services could benefit parties in technology-related disputes.
European Commission Eyes Modernisation Of EU Trademark System 28/03/2013 by Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment European Commission plans to update Europe’s trademark system are generally good news for mark owners, a member of European brand owners’ association MARQUES has said.
UN Agencies To Examine International Standards, Potential Value For Developing Countries 18/03/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Five United Nations agencies are joining efforts to tackle the rising issue of private standards which they say are affecting developing countries’ exports by creating market entry hurdles for those countries. A new forum will be launched this week, and will establish its priority issues.
Meetings On IP And Innovation In Africa Open In Tanzania 12/03/2013 by Rachel Marusak Hermann, Intellectual Property Watch 4 Comments A ministerial-level meeting organised by the World Intellectual Property Organization, the Japan Patent Office, and the Tanzanian government began today in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The two-day conference, which focuses on how IP can stimulate innovation and development, will be followed by a UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) meeting and a US Department of Commerce Commercial Law and Development Program (CLDP)-led workshop on IP use and protection at the same venue.
European Patent Office Reports Record Patent Filings In 2012 06/03/2013 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The European Patent Office today announced that 2012 saw a new record for patent filings in the office, and equating the rise to Europe’s “innovative powers”. But while 36.5 per cent of applications came from Europe, the fastest growth was in applications from Asia, particularly China, Korea and Japan. Korean firm Samsung took top honours for most filings, the first time for an Asian company, and a Chinese company, ZTE, broke into the top 10 for the first time.
South Africa Leaning Toward Support Of Pan-African IP Office, Minister Says 28/02/2013 by Linda Daniels for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Johannesburg – There are strong indications that South Africa may join – and lead the charge – in the establishment of the controversial Pan-African Intellectual Property Office (PAIPO).