New Deputy US Trademark Commissioner 16/06/2011 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) today announced the appointment of a new deputy commissioner for trademarks, with oversight of examination and processing of applications.
Time For A Positive Agenda, WIPO’s Gurry Tells Copyright Crowd 13/06/2011 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment In remarks that have raised questions among libraries and the information technology industry, World Intellectual Property Organization Director General Francis last week told a copyright industry gathering that it is time to move away from a “negative” agenda of limitations and exceptions to copyright. It may also be a time for more private-sector involvement in international policymaking, he said.
New Director For CISAC 13/06/2011 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC), which claims representation of 3 million creators and publishers, has named a new director general. Interestingly, he comes from a career in broadcasting.
Targets, TRIPS Flexibilities In UN HIV Meeting Declaration; Brazil’s Health Minister Hails Outcome 10/06/2011 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment NEW YORK – The declaration from the United Nations High-Level Meeting on AIDS, which concluded today, set targets for responding to the disease and contained clear references to flexibilities to intellectual property law intended to assure needed medicines can be obtained affordably, according to Brazil’s health minister.
WIPO Issues Call For Papers On Evaluation Of IP And Development 09/06/2011 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The 2007 World Intellectual Property Organization Development Agenda instituted an evaluation process at the UN agency, and now WIPO is seeking best practices for evaluating the impact of intellectual property rights on development. The WIPO Evaluation Section has issued a call for papers for a seminar to be held in October.
Outgoing US Commerce Chief Backs House Patent Reform Bill, Nearly 31/05/2011 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Outgoing United States Commerce Secretary Gary Locke today gave near-complete approval of legislation to reform US patent law which is awaiting action in the House of Representatives.
G8 Highlights Internet, IP Rights, Innovation, WIPO 27/05/2011 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Leaders of the Group of Eight industrialised countries today concluded their annual meeting, this year held in Deauville, France, with a communiqué bearing extensive discussion of the internet, intellectual property rights, and innovation – and a call for the World Intellectual Property Organization to step up work. In fact, it had a lot more to say about these issues than it did about the global economy or trade.
Recent Personnel Changes In Geneva 26/05/2011 by William New and Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Recent weeks have seen several personnel changes at Geneva institutions working on international intellectual property rights and innovation, including at missions, international organisations and foundations.
WHO Set On Reform Path With Concerns; Pandemic Plan Agreed, Counterfeits Not 24/05/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 4 Comments After ten days of discussions, country delegates closed the annual World Health Assembly today with the adoption of a set of decisions, one of which is a drastic programme of reforms that is intended to restore the World Health Organization’s central place in public health governance.
EU Commission Flexes Enforcement Muscles With New IPR Strategy 24/05/2011 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The European Commission today published a strategy intended to boost the economy by analysing and applying polish to European Union rules on intellectual property rights, including increased attention to enforcement with a crackdown on small shipments from internet purchases.