US, WIPO IP Summit In Africa Postponed 26/02/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments A training programme on intellectual property organised by the United States with several partners to be held in Africa in April has been postponed under pressure to make the programme more transparent and representative of all stakeholders.
Indigenous Peoples Walk Out Of WIPO Committee On Genetic Resources 22/02/2012 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The International Indigenous Forum, in an unprecedented collective move, decided yesterday to withdraw from the discussions of the WIPO Committee on Genetic Resources taking place from 14-22 February. The move calls into question the legitimacy of the negotiations.
Special Report: TPP Negotiations To Heat Up In Melbourne Over Patents, Copyright, Medicines 21/02/2012 by Liza Porteus Viana, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Precious little is known publicly about the details of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement being negotiated by the United States and other Pacific-bordering nations, but some sources say the agreement could contain some of the strongest language on intellectual property rights that has come under attack in other agreements. US trade negotiators, meanwhile, say they are consulting stakeholders widely.
WIPO Members Work Through Differences In Genetic Resources Document 19/02/2012 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments The development of an international instrument on the protection of genetic resources continues to engage government delegates at the World Intellectual Property Organization. Sources have called the process constructive and meeting Chair Wayne McCook, the permanent representative of Jamaica, said delegations were very engaged in the exercise. But a sharp divide remains on several subjects.
Public Health In 2012: A Busy Crossroads Of Partnership, Innovation, And Trade 17/02/2012 by Rachel Marusak Hermann, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment From advancing public-private partnerships and increasing international collaboration to promoting innovation in neglected therapy areas and developing new research and development models, policymakers have set a steady pace as they advance the 2012 global health agenda.
ACTA Doubts Rampant In Europe; Industry Call For “Reasoned Assessment” 13/02/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 10 Comments Europeans came out by the thousands this week to protest the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA), as it goes before the parliament and the remaining governments that have not yet signed on. But a large number of industry associations sent a letter pushing officials to carefully consider the agreement before dismissing it under popular pressure.
US, WIPO Training Programme On IP Rights In Africa Comes Under Fire 12/02/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 6 Comments For years, some developing countries have insisted that developed countries – which own the vast majority of intellectual property rights – take a singular focus when it comes to offering technical assistance on IP rights: the protection of “northern” property. In recent years, negotiations in venues like the World Intellectual Property Organization have sought to ensure that such assistance also highlight the creation of local IP rights as well as the availability of flexibilities developing countries have under international rules for IP.
US Copyright Industries Call For Action On Piracy; NGOs Call For Scrutiny 10/02/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The major US copyright industries today issued a list they said “documents rampant online and physical piracy of copyrighted works and severe market access barriers.” Public interest groups will be watching closely to see if the list submitted to the US government is incorporated wholesale into a package of government assertions of inadequate protection of US intellectual property rights by trading partners.
Proposal For A New Model Giving Rights To Online Sharing Of Content 09/02/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments A new publication by a well-known open access advocate proposes a business model for sharing content online that would recognise sharing as a right.
Groups Call On Congress To Step Back From SOPA-Style Legislation 07/02/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Some 70 groups from across the social and political spectrum have sent a letter to the US Senate and House of Representatives calling for them to step back from any anti-piracy legislation until more consideration can be given of the effect on the internet.