Debate Rises Over Elevating Profile Of Genetic Resources At WIPO 01/03/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Experts discussing the protection of genetic resources at the World Intellectual Property Organization this week are struggling to stay within their technical mandate as the issues carry significant political impact. Discussions today resulted in a marked-up text on objectives and principles of a possible international instrument that reveals key differences among members on the role of IP, and of WIPO, in genetic resources.
Are The Stars Aligned For US Patent Reform This Year? 01/03/2011 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment In a week in which the United States Congress is fighting to avoid a government shutdown over budget disagreements and political posturing is high, technocrats and friends of innovative businesses are working to get passage of a bill to reform US patent law.
Retired US Copyright Chief On Copyright Clearance Center Board 17/02/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The appointment of former United States Register of Copyrights to the board of directors of the Copyright Clearance Center (CCC) was announced yesterday.
Senior Changes At The Gates Foundation With An IP Twist 16/02/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The head of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Global Health Program intends to retire from his position in June, according to a press release. Meanwhile, Microsoft’s leading international advocate for intellectual property rights has joined the Gates Foundation Global Health Program.
Economist: Breadth Of Patent Portfolio Better Than Betting On One Winner 11/02/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Determining the value of patented inventions is akin to a guessing game, said a speaker at the World Intellectual Property Organization yesterday. Companies should try to spread their patents over related technological innovations rather focusing on one patent, hoping it will be “the philosopher’s stone”.
International Patent Filings Begin To Bounce Back; China Rocketing, US At Half-Mast 09/02/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The storm appears to be subsiding for international patent filings as 2010 showed a cautious recovery in growth, the head of the World Intellectual Property Organization said today. After the first-ever drop in applications in 2009, 2010 filings almost returned to their 2008 level. And China holds pole position in growth numbers.
WIPO Survey On Patent Filing Strategies Shows Rise In Optimism 07/02/2011 by Tavengwa Runyowa for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A recent economic survey by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) assessed the expected growth in domestic and international patent filings in 2010 compared to 2009. The highest expected growth rates were reported in Asian countries, with modest and declining growth reported in Europe and the United States respectively.
Panel: Seek Innovative Solutions Vs. Counterfeiting; Oxfam Warns Against False Solution 04/02/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment PARIS – The rise of counterfeiting and global economic difficulties combined to sap resources devoted to intellectual property enforcement, said panellists at an event highlighting the fight against counterfeiting and piracy yesterday, and discussed innovative solutions. Meanwhile a civil society group said enforcement of IP rights is a false solution to substandard medicines.
IP Enforcement Extravaganza Assails Consequences Of Counterfeits 03/02/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment PARIS – Counterfeiting and piracy are on the pillory at the annual event organised by three intergovernmental agencies fighting intellectual property rights infringement. Much of the emphasis of this year’s event is being placed on the danger to the consumers and the economic consequences of infringement as well as on the necessity of enforcement measures. But some developing country delegates present at the event raised concern that the event might not be taking their concerns sufficiently into account.
People: New Lead For US Global IP Policy; KEI Lawyer To MSF; Copyright Kings In Washington 01/02/2011 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment An American industry representative with European ties has been named to take over the role of coordinating and communicating US international policy on patents and trademarks. Meanwhile, a key civil society lawyer became US manager of Doctors without Borders Access to Medicines campaign in the United States. And a music industry lawyer central to several landmark copyright cases has been nominated to be the next solicitor general. Catch these and the new faces at the trade associations and law firms in the latest edition of the IP-Watch People Column.