WTO Members Call For More TRIPS Talks; Director Post May Open Up 14/10/2008 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment By William New Whether the World Trade Organization director general position will be up for grabs in the new year remains a question, as current DG Pascal Lamy is deciding by December whether to run for the post again. Meanwhile, numerous member governments on Tuesday called for any further trade negotiations at the WTO to […]
President Bush Signs New IP Enforcement Bill Into Law 14/10/2008 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment By Catherine Saez President Bush on Monday signed into law a bill strengthening civil and criminal laws against counterfeiting and piracy, boosting resources for enforcement and prosecution, and changing coordination of IP enforcement issues within the Executive Branch. Under the Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property (PRO-IP) Act of 2008, copyright registration would not […]
Stage Set For WIPO To Advance On Traditional Knowledge, Folklore Protection 11/10/2008 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment By Kaitlin Mara The World Intellectual Property Organization committee on traditional knowledge and genetic resources meets next week with a new sense of purpose. New on the table are two detailed reports from the secretariat highlighting areas where international policy may be needed, an African Group proposal calling for an international instrument, and the encouragement […]
Intellectual Property And Access Can Co-Exist, US Rightsholders Say 09/10/2008 by Liza Porteus Viana, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By Liza Porteus Viana for Intellectual Property Watch WASHINGTON, DC – There is a growing backlash against intellectual property rights and international rules aimed at protecting innovation and ideas in certain parts of the globe, several pharmaceutical and other innovator companies said Wednesday. Not only does the protection of intellectual property need to be strengthened, […]
US Government Seeking IP Law Experts; Signs Work-Sharing Deals 08/10/2008 by Liza Porteus Viana, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment By Liza Porteus Viana for Intellectual Property Watch WASHINGTON, DC – Private patent law attorneys should answer a higher calling and serve in the United States government so that experienced, practiced experts may help steer the country’s patent system toward a better future, the chief judge of the US Court of Appeals for the Federal […]
Key US Senators Warn Bush Administration On ACTA 03/10/2008 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By William New The leaders of the powerful United States Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday warned US trade negotiators to rein in the scope of negotiations on an international treaty against counterfeiting, and to make the process more transparent. At the same time, they chided the Bush administration for failing to support the senators’ legislative […]
ICANN Tries To Alleviate Concerns About Independence And Its Future 02/10/2008 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment By Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch In September 2009, the joint project agreement between the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) and the United States government comes to a close. Now the organisation responsible for coordinating the internet domain name, internet protocol address and protocol number systems is seeking to alleviate concerns […]
WIPO Working Group To Reconsider Rules On Appellations Of Origin 02/10/2008 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By Kaitlin Mara World Intellectual Property Organization members last Friday set up a working group to consider improvements to an international agreement on appellations of origin – names of products reflecting particular cultural or environmental aspects of a geographic location. Key improvements sought are a procedure for resolving situations in which nations have protection over […]
US Congress Hastens Through Flurry Of IP Legislation Before Departure 01/10/2008 by Liza Porteus Viana, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By Liza Porteus Viana for Intellectual Property Watch In the waning days of this congressional session in the United States, US lawmakers are passing a flurry of intellectual property-related bills. One of the bills awaiting President Bush’s signature would create a position of a top intellectual property official in the White House. Another bill would […]
Optimism Reigns As WIPO Assemblies Close, Gurry Takes Office 30/09/2008 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By William New Member governments of the UN World Intellectual Property Organization concluded this year’s annual assemblies with high optimism for the future of the intellectual property system and for the organisation. “We’re glad to see WIPO back to its routine,” a Brazilian official said after the assemblies adjourned Monday night. “This General Assembly signals […]