EU Flags Geographical Indications In WTO Trade Talks Paper 22/06/2006 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment In a new European Union communication to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in the ongoing agriculture negotiations, the EU has moved its call for higher intellectual property rights protection for product names deriving from geographical locations to the top of its list of demands. At issue is Europe’s wish to better protect its geographical indications […]
WIPO Members To Approve Senior Appointments; Remove Retirement Deal 19/06/2006 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Member governments of the World Intellectual Property Organization who act in a coordinating capacity for the UN body today indicated acceptance of the officials proposed by the WIPO director general to act as his cabinet for the next three years, according to sources. But the governments rejected a proposal to give the appointees a WIPO […]
WTO Geographical Indications Discussion Moves To Higher Level 16/06/2006 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment While there was little movement at a World Trade Organization meeting (WTO) on intellectual property rules this week, one of the IP issues in the current round of trade talks has been elevated to a consultation of ambassador-level officials under special invitation, sources said. The IP issue is geographical indications (GIs) and a proposal to […]
EU Gets Little Support For Enforcement Proposal at WTO; CBD Issue Unresolved 16/06/2006 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The European Union got little support for its proposal to add further enforcement measures into international trade law on intellectual property at a World Trade Organization (WTO) meeting on 15 June, according to participants. This was the last day of the 14-15 June meeting of the Council on the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of […]
Brazil, India Get Developed Country Support For TRIPS Amendment On Biodiversity 15/06/2006 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Two new proposals on the relationship of international agreements on the protection of biodiversity were discussed at the World Trade Organization (WTO) yesterday, one of which supports a developing country view. But member states still disagree as to whether there is a conflict between international rules. The new proposals were tabled by Japan [Japan Proposal] […]
Geographical Indications Register Still Stuck As WTO Meetings Continue 13/06/2006 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment World Trade Organization (WTO) discussion of a multilateral register for wines and spirits that derive their names from geographical locations seemed to hit a new low today as the chair ended a meeting after 15 minutes because of lack of movement. “The chair seemed quite bitter,” two participants said. The chair, Ambassador Manzoor Ahmad of […]
Biggest Developing Countries Present TRIPS Amendment Proposal 07/06/2006 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The world’s largest developing countries are seeking an amendment to international trade rules to provide more protection for genetic resources and traditional knowledge used in patent applications, and have presented the amendment proposal to other governments with mixed results. Brazil, India and China are among the eight countries that have publicly supported the proposal to […]
WIPO Members Discuss Tighter Programme and Budget Controls 06/06/2006 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A key group of member governments of the World Intellectual Property Organization today discussed further ways to tighten their control over WIPO’s budget and administration. The 6 June informal meeting of the WIPO Programme and Budget Committee (PBC) was a step in a year-long process set up by the 2005 General Assembly (annual meeting of […]
WIPO Head Proposes New Top-Level Appointments; Elevates Chinese Official 01/06/2006 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen and William New Following intensive consultations with member states in recent weeks, World Intellectual Property Organization Director General Kamil Idris has put forward names for the top positions at WIPO, including the proposal to replace one American with another and the creation of a new post to be filled by […]
Developing Countries Propose TRIPS Amendment On Disclosure 01/06/2006 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch 4 Comments A group of six developing countries led by India have submitted a proposal to the World Trade Organization (WTO) suggesting changes to international trade law to include specific requirements for disclosure of where biological material has been obtained from in patent applications. If adopted, this could mean that anyone applying for a patent based on […]