Geneva Forecast On Internet Governance: 2015 Expected To Be A Decisive Year 30/01/2015 by James Cote for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A Geneva expert has offered his view on the top internet governance issues likely to come up in 2015. These include: cybersecurity, privacy, internet neutrality, and the proposed transition of control over a key underlying aspect of the internet.
WIPO Seminar Discusses Interface Between IP And Private International Law 23/01/2015 by Elena Bourtchouladze for Intellectual Property Watch and James Cote for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Experts gathered in Geneva recently to review past projects on intellectual property and private international law, and look toward the future. Now, through efforts to draft a set of guidelines, headway is being made on finding ways to manage the legal uncertainties in this area.
Year Ahead: Big IP Developments Loom For US Law In 2015 21/01/2015 by Steven Seidenberg for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment 2014 brought major changes to the United States intellectual property system, particularly in the area of patent law. 2015 promises more of the same, as the new Supreme Court ruling in Teva Pharmaceuticals USA v. Sandoz attests. Here’s a discussion of Teva and other key cases and developments to watch this year.
Year Ahead: Copyright Reform, EPO Governance, Trade Secrets Among Top European IP Issues In 2015 19/01/2015 by Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Review, and possibly reform, of the European Union copyright system tops the list of “hot” European intellectual property issues this year. The new European Commission has made modernising copyright rules a major priority, while fresh debate has broken out over the need for levies on digital copying devices to remunerate rights holders. Meanwhile ongoing unrest between European Patent Office (EPO) staff and management looks likely to continue, as do efforts to finalise the unitary European patent and Unified Patent Court. EU legislation to protect trade secrets could be adopted and trademark law updated. In addition, several important IP-related decisions are expected from the European Court of Justice (ECJ).
Panels Look At Proposed EU, French Trade Secret Legislations 13/01/2015 by Magda Voltolini for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment PARIS – French government officials and industry representatives gathered here recently to debate proposed new rules to protect trade secrets against unlawful acquisition, use and disclosure.
Fight Against Ebola Gaining Ground As Vaccines Pass Tests, WHO Says 09/01/2015 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The World Health Organization today optimistically announced progress in the search for efficient vaccines to fight the Ebola virus. Tests conducted so far show acceptable safety profiles, and public-private vaccine alliance Gavi has committed to fund Ebola vaccines.
Special Report: Strictly Business: US IP Attachés Report Home 24/12/2014 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment WASHINGTON, DC – Last week was ‘old home week’ for officials in the United States intellectual property attaché program, as they returned before the holidays from their posts around the world. Speaking publicly, the officials gave mixed reports on the fight to advance IP rights worldwide. They also heard harsh but determined words about the situation in Geneva from the industry perspective. Two more attaché offices will open next year, and several attachés last week called for an elevation in their rank in order to enable them to have access to higher level officials in other countries.
TISA Negotiations: Yes To E-Commerce, Data Flows, No To IPR, Data Protection? 17/12/2014 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment After two years of negotiations, the draft Trade in Services Agreement (TISA) stands at 17 horizontal and sector-specific proposals, negotiators told Intellectual Property Watch after the 2-5 December Geneva round of negotiations. The sector-specific annexes of the agreement, sources confirm, include one on telecommunication and one all e-commerce aspects.
Annual Brussels IP Summit: Fresh Ideas In A Classic Context 16/12/2014 by Joséphine De Ruyck for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment BRUSSELS – In an age where technology and globalisation play an ever-increasing role, it must be asked whether the policy goals and structures of the intellectual property system remain relevant in Europe and beyond. In this regard, the newly elected “Junker Commission,” in office from 1 November, offers a chance to issue new IP strategies and strengthen the pre-existent IP infrastructures. In light of such changes, the Pan-European Intellectual Property Summit (IP Summit) with its unique blend of keynote speakers and 25 workshops, running from reforms at the European and national levels to sectorial business practices across the spectrum of IP fields, provided once again a platform for fresh and critical ideas.
Special Report: Copyright Policy At WIPO: A Plethora Of Topics, Concerns 15/12/2014 by Elena Bourtchouladze for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment World Intellectual Property Organization members continuously work to ensure international copyright policy is as responsive and helpful as possible to global changes. One thing they don’t lack is outside opinions on what they should do. A number of side events were organised during the 8-12 December WIPO Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR). Topics addressed in these events ranged from international cooperation in film production (IPW, WIPO, 8 December 2014), to access to copyrighted works in libraries and educational institutions, to a proposed treaty on broadcasters’ rights, as well as the interface between copyright and competition.