Trade Secrets Important But Neglected, IP Experts Say At WTO 07/10/2013 by Alessandro Marongiu for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Academics and experts from international organisations met last week at the World Trade Organization to discuss the role of know-how in today’s global economy, stressing the relevance of trade secrets in global value chains and international transfer of technology.
WIPO Looks At Measuring Innovation; ITIF Sees Need For Policy Shift 04/10/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The innovative capacities of countries cannot be measured with a simplistic matrix, taking only into account the number of patents or the research and development expenditures, said a World Intellectual Property Organization official. Meanwhile, WIPO’s views were buttressed by an expert from the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation.
Plurilateral Agreement On Geographical Indications On Its Way At WIPO 01/10/2013 by Alessandro Marongiu for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Last week, WIPO members that are parties to a special agreement on the protection of appellations of origin agreed to convene a diplomatic conference in 2015 to adopt a revision of the 1958 Lisbon Agreement. The revised treaty would extend to all geographical indications the protection already granted to appellations of origin. The decision to convene a diplomatic conference, however, stirred up controversy with a number of WIPO members that are not parties to the treaty.
WIPO Assemblies Put Industry, Creators, Policymakers In Touch; Enforcement Committee Gets Mandate 01/10/2013 by William New and Alessandro Marongiu for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Policymakers at the World Intellectual Property Organization annual General Assembly over the past week have had significant exposure to what industry and creators are up to. Meanwhile, WIPO members approved the mandate for the WIPO committee on IP enforcement.
IP-Intensive Industries A Powerhouse Of EU Economy, EPO-OHIM Study Says 30/09/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The European Patent Office released a study today on the impact of intellectual property rights on the European economy, finding that some 40 percent of the total economic activity in the European Union is generated by “intellectual property rights-intensive industries.”
At WIPO, Differences Remain On Global Priorities In Patent Law 28/09/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Differences on how nations view patent law and the need for more international harmonisation became apparent this week at the World Intellectual Property Organization annual General Assembly.
WIPO Members Near Agreement To Negotiate Design Law Treaty 28/09/2013 by Alessandro Marongiu for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment World Intellectual Property Organization members this week have discussed the possibility of convening a diplomatic conference – a high-level negotiation – on a treaty on industrial design law. As of yesterday, members appeared near consensus to proceed to a diplomatic conference, according to sources. Meanwhile, the European Union made a presentation on how it is contributing to IP and development.
Big Pharmaceutical Firms Say MDGs Partnerships Are ‘Best-Kept Secret’ 27/09/2013 by Liza Porteus Viana, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment NEW YORK – The vast collaboration between the pharmaceutical industry, government and civil society is perhaps “one of the best-kept secrets of our industry,” the head of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations (IFPMA) said this week, stressing the need for even more cooperating heading into the post-2015 development agenda at the United Nations.
Innovators Take Centre Stage At WIPO Members’ Annual Assembly 25/09/2013 by Alessandro Marongiu for Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments In the context of a parallel event to the World Intellectual Property Organization annual General Assemblies, innovators from developed and developing countries shared their thoughts on how to foster a creative environment that encourages ground-breaking innovations.
Study: Patent Trolls In US Use Business Method Patents To Target More Firms 20/09/2013 by Steven Seidenberg for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Patent assertion entities in the United States have done well from software patents. These companies, which some call “patent trolls,” have garnered a clear majority of their revenues by licensing software patents and suing those who refuse to purchase licences. But these companies’ reliance on software patents may be coming to an end. In recent years, these companies are increasingly exploiting business method patents, and by doing so are targeting a much larger range of businesses, according to a recently released study.