Hard Times Ahead For Rights Holders? IPR High On Brussels Agenda Before Recess 13/07/2012 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch 4 Comments At a little-publicised annual meeting of the Transatlantic Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Working Group in Brussels this week representatives of the European Commission, several United States agencies and rights holder agreed that there might be tough times ahead for IPRs and rights holders. Meanwhile, the Commission is under pressure on copyright exceptions for visually impaired readers on the eve of a World Intellectual Property Organization meeting. And the Commission this week introduced new rules on collective societies aimed at easing user access to content.
WIPO Governments Push On New Folklore Treaty Text; Indigenous Peoples Disappointed 13/07/2012 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments After a late start, delegates at the World Intellectual Property Organization today are trying to make up for lost time in an attempt to draft a potential treaty text to protect traditional cultural expressions on the last day of a weeklong meeting. The first revision of draft articles was issued yesterday at the end of the afternoon. The status of Indigenous Peoples was also examined by delegates the day before without much interest.
Enhanced Cooperation Task Force For Internet Governance? 12/07/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments An unconventional proposal to solve the international fight around internet governance has been put forward that would create multi-stakeholder working groups to tackle tough issues.
Traditional Cultural Expressions Talks Back On Track At WIPO 10/07/2012 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Delegates at the World Intellectual Property Organization today finally adopted the agenda of the 22nd session of the Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore (IGC), and started work. But not before being sharply reminded of their duty in representing the public.
UN Human Rights Council Tackles IPRs, Benefits Of Scientific Progress 09/07/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The United Nations Human Rights Council last week adopted a resolution promoting cultural rights and diversity, with a commitment to hold a seminar next year on the right to enjoy the benefits of scientific progress and its applications. The resolution includes continuing support for a special observer on the issue who recently submitted a report raising questions about the impact of intellectual property rights on the diffusion of knowledge.
ITU To Hold High-Level Talks On “Innovation-Stifling, Rampant” Patent Litigation 06/07/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The UN International Telecommunication Union (ITU) today announced it will hold a high-level meeting on the global surge in standards-related patent litigation which it said is stifling innovation in information and communications technology.
New UN Human Rights Council Resolution On Internet Rights 05/07/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments The United Nations Human Rights Council has adopted a new resolution on the promotion, protection and enjoyment of human rights on the internet. The resolution ties such rights to development, and is said to be the first UN resolution to put online human rights on par with those offline.
European Parliament Rejection Puts ACTA Future In Doubt 04/07/2012 by William New and Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch 20 Comments Today’s overwhelming defeat of the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) by the European Parliament could have a resounding effect on the treaty’s prospects for survival, according to sources. Meanwhile, public interest groups are celebrating and copyright holders fuming.
US Proposes 3-Step Test For Copyright Exceptions In Trans-Pacific Trade Talks 04/07/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) on 3 July announced the proposal of a new provision for a trade agreement that will put copyright exceptions and limitations to a 3-step test. The text of the provision was not made available to the public, and reaction to the news by public interest groups has been cautious.
ICANN Says Internet Multi-Stakeholder Model Is Its Responsibility 03/07/2012 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment PRAGUE, Czech Republic – The multi-stakeholder model of internet governance is the responsibility of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), Fadi Chehadé, designated new CEO of ICANN said at the 44th meeting of the private body in Prague last week.