“Washington Declaration” Demands Return Of Public Interest In IP Rights 10/09/2011 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 5 Comments A new multi-stakeholder declaration demanding that the public interest be returned to intellectual property rights was issued this week and is open for signatures by anyone, already collecting hundreds of supporters. The declaration contains numerous principles and actions, such as restraint in enforcement, open access, and development priorities, that the drafters hope will help change the course of IP policymaking.
UN Highlights IP Rights For Indigenous Peoples’ Day 10/08/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment In recognition of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, the secretary of the United Nations on 9 August raised the complex issue of intellectual property rights and indigenous knowledge. The Director General of the UN World Intellectual Property Organization also issued a message straddling the issue of IP rights and community ownership of traditional knowledge and resources.
Promoting Caribbean Intellectual Property Law 08/08/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Across the world, the Caribbean is renowned for its unique flavors in music and entertainment, its beaches, cricket, and its commonly acclaimed fun and sun. While these are well-deserved, and are sources of just pride, this common perception provides foliage which bars the examination and explanation of the real problems and needs in intellectual property in the Caribbean, writes attorney Abiola Inniss.
WIPO Traditional Knowledge Committee On Way To New Mandate 22/07/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Delegates working on an international instrument to protect traditional knowledge and folklore against misappropriation today agreed this afternoon to ask the World Intellectual Property Organization General Assembly in September to extend the mandate of the committee working on those issues.
Kenya Opens Region’s Door To GM Maize 19/07/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment In the face of a severe food shortage, Kenya’s Cabinet has approved imports of genetically modified maize, though it has drawn the line on use of GM maize as seeds, a regional newspaper reports.
Neglected Diseases R&D Financing Proposals Shaping Up At WHO 14/07/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Global public health experts in charge of exploring ways to finance R&D on diseases endemic in developing countries last week provided a preliminary summary of assessments on proposals provided by various stakeholders. They also made recommendations to establish global mechanisms, including a binding global instrument for R&D and innovation for health.
WIPO, The ‘Sleeping Beauty’ Of Climate Change Policy, Urged To Awaken 14/07/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The World Intellectual Property Organization has taken its first public steps in the climate change debate by holding a conference on the subject this week. The organisation’s expertise in intellectual property policy and technology transfer is being sought by several other actors in the field, in particular the United Nations climate change agency.
El Patent Pool estimula las perspectivas de medicamentos anti-VIH con una primera Licencia 13/07/2011 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments El Medicines Patent Pool y la compañía farmacéutica Gilead Sciences ha anunciado hoy un acuerdo de licencia para permitir la producción medicamentos clave para el combate contra el VIH a un menor costo y en una formulación más fácil de usar, haciéndolos más accesibles a los países en desarrollo.. El acuerdo se extiende al uso de tratamientos para la hepatitis B por primera vez.
Does Introduction Of A Utility Model Protection Regime Make Sense In India? 13/07/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments India has at least seven diverse intellectual property (IP) legislations related to protection already in place. Its focus should therefore arguably be directed – along the lines of many other IP jurisdictions – on more stringent enforcement modus operandi of the IP rights. Is there scope for introducing yet another IP legislation – the utility model protection law – in the Indian IP landscape and if so, what should be its scope and implication, asks Swarup Kumar.
Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement: Did US Move Threaten Public Health? 12/07/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments Civil society groups say a leaked document from regional free trade negotiations between countries bordering the Pacific Ocean shows the United States favouring giant pharmaceutical companies at the expense of public health. Separately, the tobacco industry is allegedly also trying to push for a clause to prevent plain packaging.