WTO Launches Probe On China Distribution; Reviews Thai IP Policies 28/11/2007 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By William New The World Trade Organization has launched an investigation into allegations that China is unfairly limiting the flow of copyrighted material from the United States into the country. Meanwhile, the WTO issued the periodic review of Thailand’s policies including a discussion of intellectual property rights. US concerns in the new dispute are that […]
Indonesia Mulls Compulsory Licences On Three More HIV/AIDS Drugs 26/11/2007 by Sinfah Tunsarawuth for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By Sinfah Tunsarawuth for Intellectual Property Watch BANGKOK – Indonesia is considering exercising rights under its law to produce cheaper versions of three additional patented HIV/AIDS drugs without the patent-holders’ permission, after having used the measure earlier for three similar medicines. Three second-line antiretroviral (ARV) drugs for HIV/AIDS patients are in need in Indonesia, and […]
WTO Panel On Chinese Content Distribution Delayed 24/11/2007 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By William New The formation of a World Trade Organization panel requested by the United States on China’s distribution of American copyrighted material was delayed this week after a procedural move on an unrelated matter. The US panel request was to be considered by the WTO Dispute Settlement Body on 19 November, but the agenda […]
Governments Urged To Use Compulsory Licences To Boost Drug Access 23/11/2007 by Sinfah Tunsarawuth for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment By Sinfah Tunsarawuth for Intellectual Property Watch BANGKOK – Thai and foreign public health campaigners on Friday urged governments to exercise their right over patent owners to provide access to cheaper essential medicines for the poor. They also called for a new global mechanism to encourage “humanitarian research” in which research and development of drugs […]
South Korea Urged To Strengthen IP In EU Trade Talks 21/11/2007 by David Cronin for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By David Cronin for Intellectual Property Watch BRUSSELS – South Korea has been urged to strengthen its intellectual property rules in order to sign a free trade agreement with the European Union. Talks are underway between the EU and the Seoul government aimed at achieving a far-reaching liberalisation of commerce between the two sides. In […]
WHO Elevates IP Issues To Director General’s Office; Zucker To Depart 20/11/2007 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By William New The World Health Organization, which has intensively debated intellectual property rights issues in recent years, has restructured its management of the issues, elevating IP to the director general’s office. “[The restructuring] shows the importance that the director general is giving to this particular issue, and reinforces what WHO is already doing in […]
WIPO Director’s Planned Early Departure Draws Mixed Reactions 20/11/2007 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By William New When Kamil Idris, the director general of the United Nations World Intellectual Property Organization, informed staff last week that the process for electing his successor would occur one year early, it was met with mixed reactions. It also is likely to be met with a torrent of politicking for the next DG. […]
WHO IP And Health Group Ends Meeting With Substantive Progress 10/11/2007 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment By William New The member governments of the World Health Organization finished an intensive week of negotiations on ways to improve access to healthcare for poorer populations with significant progress on a framework. But difficult work remains for the next session, participants said. “I’ve been very much impressed by the level of engagement,” WHO Director […]
WHO IP And Health Group Turns To IP; Meeting To Continue In 2008 09/11/2007 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By William New Negotiators at this week’s World Health Organization meeting on intellectual property, innovation and public health appeared to reach preliminary agreement Friday on principles establishing that IP rights should not negatively impact public health and should fit with the needs of developing countries. On Friday, talks moved to the controversial section of the […]
WHO Session On IP And Health Clashes On Vision, Practicalities 09/11/2007 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By William New with Kaitlin Mara Government officials tasked this week through the United Nations with finding ways to develop and deliver treatment for overlooked diseases afflicting the globe’s poor are making uneven but persistent progress in negotiations. Debate has been slow at times, according to participants, sticking on the lofty introductory language to the […]