UNCTAD Figures Show Record World Trade In Creative Goods 15/05/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Global exports of creative goods and services reached a record US$ 624 billion in 2011, according to the latest figures from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). Such creative goods include arts and crafts, books, graphic and interior design works, fashion, films, music, new media, printed and visual media, as well as audiovisuals.
WHO Stats Show Medicines Remain Out Of Reach Of Poorest Patients 15/05/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment While the World Health Organization’s latest health numbers show that great progress has been made in improving the health in low-income countries, significant inequalities remain between people living in the richest and poorest countries. Access to even the most basic medicines continues to be a major challenge due to high prices.
Concerns Arise Over Implementation Of WIPO Development Agenda 14/05/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment This week’s meeting of the World Intellectual Property Organisation committee on development started with a firm display of divergent positions by member states. Developing countries said that member states should be consulted on WIPO’s participation in international events to ensure that a balanced view on IP is reflected. Developed countries said they considered it as superfluous micro-management of the UN organisation.
World Telecom Policy Forum: Healing The Split Or Fueling A Telecom Policy “Cold War”? 14/05/2013 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments Governments, sector members of the UN International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and a number of civil society groups are gathering in Geneva for three days this week to talk internet politics at the 5th World Telecom Policy Forum (WTPF). The non-binding forum is the first opportunity to take the temperature of the international telecom politics community since the failed World Conference on International Telecommunication (WCIT) last December. At the same time, it is seen by many as the stepping stone to the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference and therefore a platform to position oneself with regard to future internet-related public policy and the future role of states in the digital world.
European Commission To Develop Global Internet Policy Platform 13/05/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The European Commission today announced plans for a Global Internet Policy Observatory (GIPO), an online platform to improve knowledge and participation on issues related to global internet policymaking.
WSIS Forum Addresses Future Of Information And Communication Technology 13/05/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The 2013 World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Forum opened today to address the future of information and communication technologies (ICT). This meeting of the WSIS Forum marks ten years since the first phase of the summit was held in Geneva in 2003.
WIPO Committee On Development This Week: North-South Differences 13/05/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The committee evaluating the incorporation of a development dimension into the World Intellectual Property Organization activities meets this week with a heavy agenda and some loose ends inherited from the previous meeting. In particular, delegates will have to decide on future work on patent-related flexibilities, agree on measures to improve WIPO technical assistance, and agree on a review of the implementation of the WIPO Development Agenda Recommendations.
Obama Administration Backs New Open Data Policy 10/05/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment US President Barack Obama yesterday signed an executive order that requires federal agencies to make data publicly open in machine-readable formats, while appropriately safeguarding privacy, confidentiality, and security.
South Africa To Launch National Traditional Knowledge Recording System 10/05/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 5 Comments While diplomats are trying to find consensus on an international instrument to protect traditional knowledge at the World Intellectual Property Organization, some countries are establishing systems to protect their traditional knowledge domestically. South Africa will be launching on 24 May its National Recordal System to catalogue its indigenous knowledge.
LDC Request For Waiver Of IP Obligations Meets Conditions From Developed Countries 09/05/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments The request by least developed countries (LDCs) to push back the date on which they would have to enforce intellectual property rules under the World Trade Organization is the subject of informal consultations between delegations, as the deadline is fast approaching. Particularly at stake is the time period of the extension, which developed countries would prefer to be limited. Meanwhile, well over 100 academics have voiced support for the LDCs’ request.