Proponents: ‘Time Is Now’ For TRIPS Biodiversity Amendment In Doha Round 08/05/2008 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By William New India and other proponents on Wednesday sought to counter concern raised by the World Trade Organization chief that a “clash” could occur if differences are not narrowed on a proposed amendment to WTO intellectual property rules for the protection of genetic resources and traditional knowledge. “There is a groundswell of support for […]
WHO Members Inch Toward Consensus On IP, Innovation And Public Health 02/05/2008 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment By Kaitlin Mara and William New Members of the World Health Organization (WHO) gathered this week to address innovation and intellectual property issues in public health saw hope for agreement on a strategy paper focused on the needs of developing countries, particularly on neglected diseases. But with two days remaining in the negotiations, difficult issues […]
Rise Of Enforcement Priorities Reflected In Annual USTR IP Report 25/04/2008 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By William New The annual United States government report aimed at boosting global protection of US intellectual property rights and discouraging investment in errant nations this year again took sharpest aim at China and Russia, but also raised the alert on Thailand in part for its use of permitted compulsory licensing for public health, on […]
Further Resolution Needed To Keep IP Issues In WTO Negotiations 18/04/2008 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By Kaitlin Mara Intellectual property rights issues on the table in the newly invigorated World Trade Organization negotiations are at risk if remaining deep differences cannot be further narrowed in the coming weeks, WTO Director General Pascal Lamy said Thursday. “I have called for continued consultations between the groups of members concerned to resolve this, […]
Innovative Partnership To Create Another Patent-Free Malaria Drug 17/04/2008 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment By Catherine Saez After an innovative partnership between a non-governmental group and a pharmaceutical company led to a new cheap non-patented drug against malaria being available in Africa in 2007, the model is being implemented again with another new non-patented anti-malarial drug being delivered to South American patients. The Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi), […]
US Patent Reform Stalls as Senate Negotiations Break Down 15/04/2008 by Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment By Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch United States Senate negotiations on sweeping reform of the patent system foundered late last week as ongoing disputes over key provisions – and possible squabbling over confirmation of federal judges – resulted in S 1145 being pulled from the floor schedule for the time being. “We are not […]
WIPO Director General Candidates Prepare To Face Governments, NGOs 10/04/2008 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment By William New The candidates to be next director general of the World Intellectual Property Organization will get a chance to show their talents next week to government and non-governmental representatives. On Monday, 14 April, the candidates will face WIPO members in the plenary hall, one candidate at a time, according to sources. The next […]
WTO/WIPO Colloquium Aimed At IP Teachers 03/04/2008 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment By Catherine Saez Teachers of intellectual property from developing countries have been invited to attend a two-week colloquium jointly organised by the World Intellectual Property Organization and the World Trade Organization from 30 June to 10 July. The fifth edition of this event offers 20 places for applicants from developing countries and countries with economies […]
US Election, Patent Reform Could Decide Fate of Voided USPTO Rules 03/04/2008 by Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch A United States federal court in Virginia Tuesday voided US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) rules capping the number of continuation requests and claims patent seekers can submit without incurring additional costs and paperwork. The decision could spark a renewed agency push on Capitol Hill for rulemaking authority, […]
Office Open XML Officially Approved As International Standard 01/04/2008 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch 16 Comments By Kaitlin Mara The much-debated open document standard Office Open XML (OOXML) has been approved by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), according to a document obtained by Intellectual Property Watch. The result of the voting showed 24 supporting votes by participating national standards bodies allowed to vote, known as “p-members,” versus eight opposing votes. […]