WHO Members To Address Proposals For Financing Developing Country R&D 22/05/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Members of the World Health Organization at their annual meeting tomorrow will address proposals for ways to finance research and development for diseases which afflict mainly developing countries but for which there are not lucrative markets.
Nobel Laureate, Other Experts Hail WHO Effort On Medicines R&D Framework 22/05/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The annual World Health Assembly being held this week has a rare chance to achieve a breakthrough on health research for the global poor if it can agree to move forward on a proposed convention, proponents said at a recent meeting.
India’s Generics-Big Pharma Battle Drops Drug Prices, Raises Legal Debate 20/05/2012 by Patralekha Chatterjee for Intellectual Property Watch 11 Comments The escalating battle between Big Pharma and India’s generic drug manufacturers is pushing down medicine prices in one of the world’s fastest growing pharmaceutical markets.
At WSIS Forum, Divisions Arise Over Future Of Internet Governance 19/05/2012 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch 7 Comments The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Forum 2012 was hailed as a success at its closing ceremony today by the secretary general of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Yet sharp debates about the reluctance of the UN to hire an executive secretary for the Internet Governance Forum, the reluctance of the ITU to allow the global public to see and contribute to the coming International Telecommunication Regulations (ITR), and the need for a new UN platform for enhanced cooperation clearly illustrated that the global internet governance ship is cruising through rough seas.
South Africa Hopes New Bill Brings Traditional Knowledge Protection 17/05/2012 by Linda Daniels for Intellectual Property Watch 4 Comments The Intellectual Property Laws Amendment Bill currently in the in-tray of South African President Jacob Zuma and awaiting a signature, holds the hope that it will finally pave the way for the protection of the country’s most famous red tea, Rooibos, as well as other local staples.
Singapore Builds Patent Capacity Ahead Of New System 17/05/2012 by Maricel Estavillo for Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The tiny island state of Singapore has begun to ramp up its capacity for patent search and examination ahead of a bold move to adopt a new patent system, one of the proposed major amendments to its Patents Act. The Southeast Asian economic high-flyer is pressing for changes to its laws to position itself as an Asian hub for intellectual property.
After Sharp Concerns, Cooperation Prevails On UNCTAD’s Mandate For Next Four Years 16/05/2012 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment After the thirteenth quadrennial session of the United Nations body focusing on trade and development, which was to set its mandate for the next four years, delegates reached consensus and avoided major pitfalls, according to several developed and developing country sources. The governments also worked out differences on UNCTAD’s mandate for work on intellectual property rights.
World Summit On The Information Society Review Launches 14/05/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The information and communications technology (ICT) for development community is meeting in Geneva this week for a series of conferences on the 2003-2005 World Summit on the Information Society. Government stakeholders, civil society, and the private sector will evaluate progress towards meeting the goals set at the last WSIS in Tunis in 2005 and establish new common goals looking beyond 2015.
Agreement On Future Work For Development Committee Snatched From Defeat At WIPO 12/05/2012 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments In what could be compared to an obstacle course, World Intellectual Property Organization members agreed late at night yesterday on the future work of a committee working on the development dimension of the organisation’s activities.
New IFPMA-Backed Report On R&D For Diseases In Developing Countries 10/05/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment With the launch of a new report concerning research and development for diseases predominately afflicting developing countries, the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations (IFPMA) today convened a panel of public health specialists to discuss the findings.