Geneva Buzzing With Ideas And Events For International Entrepreneurship Week 09/11/2017 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A weeklong event next week has been co-organised and sponsored by a number of Geneva actors, such as the World Intellectual Property Organization, the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), and the University of Geneva, as well as lesser known groups and projects, to celebrate the international week of entrepreneurship.
UPOV Approves Budget, Explains Contribution To SDGs; Civil Society Disagrees 06/11/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) met a few days ago and took a number of decisions, such as approving its budget for the 2018/2019 biennium, adopting a document describing the union’s contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and the extension of the appointment of its vice secretary general. Civil society, however, has issues with UPOV’s take on its contributions to the SDGs. They also reiterated their request that farmers be included in UPOV’s decisionmaking.
Uganda Parliament Passes Bill To Promote Use Of Genetically Modified Materials, Biotech 03/11/2017 by Hillary Muheebwa for Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments KAMPALA, Uganda — Several genetically modified crops that are more resilient to drought, flooding, saline or acid soils and temperature extremes resulting from climate change are already being researched in Uganda and are in advanced stages. The enactment of an enabling law, the Uganda National Biosafety Bill 2017, is intended to enhance the development of modern biotechnology.
New Worldwide Compilation Of GIs Launched: Helping To Bridge Two Approaches? 30/10/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The Organization for an International Geographical Indications Network (oriGIn) launched a worldwide compilation of geographical indications today at the World Intellectual Property Organization. The compilation, which lists over 7,000 geographical indications, beyond providing a technical tool, is also presented as a tool of reconciliation.
UNCTAD Shows Role As Convenor On Investment In Antimicrobial Resistance 30/10/2017 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) this month gathered a wide range of key stakeholders to have a frank discussion about how to solve rising global resistance to existing antibiotics. While not a negotiation, stakeholders in the expert group opened up and shared perspectives, leading to some informal conclusions. Among them: more public and private investment, and a shift in the R&D system to new-style incentives, are needed.
FAO Calls On WTO Ministerial Conference To Protect Small Farmers 25/10/2017 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment As the biennial World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference is drawing closer, a number of stakeholders are pushing for their priorities to be heard. For its part, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has called on WTO members to protect smallholder farmers.
TRIPS Council: Fears That Non-Violation Complaints Could Undercut Flexibilities In IP Trade Rules 20/10/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments World Trade Organization committee members this week were asked to recommend to the upcoming ministerial conference whether to lift or indefinitely prolong a moratorium shielding intellectual property from complaints between members not involving a breach of a WTO agreement. Short of a consensus, the intellectual property committee will have to reconvene next month to try to find agreement. Separately, a two-year extension was granted to countries not yet having ratified the public health amendment to WTO IP rules.
On Eve Of TRIPS Council, Experts Promote Benefits Of IP For Small Enterprises 19/10/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The importance of intellectual property protection for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises and the challenges they might encounter to ensure that protection was the focus of an event organised this week by a group of developed and middle-income countries at the World Trade Organization. According to the group, the event aimed at drawing connections between IP policies that are under discussion in the WTO IP committee.
“WTO Must Not Be The Odd One Out” – Members Revive Talks On GIs, Genetic Resources 19/10/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Members of a 2008 World Trade Organization coalition are trying to rekindle a negotiation to provide the same level of protection granted to wines and spirits to other geographical indications, and to grant intellectual property protection to genetic resources and traditional knowledge. The discussion might not make it to the December WTO ministerial, but the group hopes to open a “fresh window” for discussion.
WIPO: New 2-Year Mandate For Traditional Knowledge Committee; Design Law Treaty Stalls 12/10/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Late tonight on the last day of the annual World Intellectual Property Organization General Assembly, delegates agreed on a mandate and a work programme of the committee seeking ways to protect genetic resources, traditional knowledge, and folklore from misuse and misappropriation. Meanwhile, no agreement was found on the convening of a high-level negotiating meeting for a new treaty on industrial designs.