Genetic Origin In Food And Agriculture Difficult To Identify, Say Seed Treaty Officials 08/02/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Global food security lies in the capacity to access and contribute to a wide pool of genetic material, the chair of the United Nations treaty on plant genetic material said on the margin of this week’s World Intellectual Property Organization meeting on the protection of genetic resources. But the origin of this genetic material is often impossible to determine, particularly for crops, the treaty secretary said.
Tracking IP Influencers’ Latest Moves 07/02/2013 by Rachel Marusak Hermann, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment From changes in policymaking leadership and staffing shake-ups to a flurry of hiring in law firms and new strategic alliances, the past few months have been an interesting time for IP people watching. With over 40 news items and over 80 names, here’s a substantial update on who’s who across governments, nonprofit organisations, and the private sector.
New Text Issued In WIPO Genetic Resources Talks 06/02/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The first revision of what could become an international instrument on the protection of genetic resources was issued this morning and submitted for comments from World Intellectual Property Organization delegates.
Expiring GMO Patents Raise Regulatory Issues; Private Sector Takes Measures 05/02/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment A number of patents on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in agriculture will expire in the coming years and this could be a problem for the biotechnology industry in terms of regulatory authorisations. A private sector initiative has recently been launched to address the issue.
FAO: New GMOs Rising In Developing Countries; Public Sector Key 04/02/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Contributions of participants at a recent e-conference organised by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) on new genetically modified organisms show that a considerable number of new GMOs are likely to be released in developing countries in the next five years.
Plant Variety Protection Meets Resistance in Developing Countries; Consultations Coming 04/02/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments Plant variety protection has raised concerns in Africa and in Latin America, and further developments are expected in 2013.
Polio Talks At WHO Board: Between Progress Made, The Final Push And The Role Of Partnership 03/02/2013 by Tiphaine Nunzia Caulier for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment On the occasion of the 132nd session of the World Health Organization Executive Board last week, delegations welcomed the efforts made by the international community to eradicate poliomyelitis (polio), but saw room for improvement. As a way forward, they looked to the key role played by WHO partners.
Mediator’s Report On EU Copyright Levies Recommends Major Changes 31/01/2013 by Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Copies made by end-users for private purposes in the context of a service previously licensed by copyright holders don’t cause harm that should be subject to private copying levies on reproduction devices such as MP3 players, blank DVDs and photocopiers, a European Commission-appointed mediator said in recommendations published on 31 January. António Vitorino suggested major changes to Europe’s copy levy system to align it with the digital world, but said at a press briefing that “there is still some way to go” to bring stakeholder positions together.
UNIGE Panel Promotes Advantages Of Trade Secret Protection 31/01/2013 by Tiphaine Nunzia Caulier for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Intellectual property professionals speaking at the University of Geneva last week discussed the challenges faced by companies and legislators in the domain of trade secrets. Topics addressed included the impact globalisation has on the protection of trade secrets, the need for an harmonised regime at the European level, and the need to rethink the place of trade secrets in the current international IP regime.
IP Professionals Discuss Tech Transfer Potential In Humanitarian Business At WIPO 23/01/2013 by Rachel Marusak Hermann, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A global business association held a meeting at the World Intellectual Property Organization this week on IP market developments, including increasing opportunities in technology transfer for commercial purposes. The intimate gathering featured a line-up of high-level speakers, including WIPO Director General Francis Gurry.