LDCs Commit To Use IP For Development At WIPO; Use Of Exceptions, Flexibilities Omitted 27/07/2009 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments Officials from least developed nations on Friday agreed to a strategy for using intellectual property to encourage local innovation, protect national cultural and genetic resources, attract foreign direct investment, and spur development at a World Intellectual Property Organization forum on the use of intellectual property for “prosperity and development.” But they did not appear to highlight other options for development such as exceptions and limitations to copyright or flexibilities they are allowed in applying IP laws.
Innovation Policy Needs National Focus, Use Of TRIPS Obligations, Panellists Say 20/07/2009 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Innovation is a main driver for economic growth and development for developing countries, said speakers at an event focusing on innovation in Brazil, India and South Africa. But although innovation is increasing and is a priority in developing economies, one expert said invention capabilities remain in the hands of historical players and governments need to seek innovative policy responses.
ECOSOC Calls For Intensified Efforts On Public Health And Use Of TRIPS Flexibilities 16/07/2009 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The United Nations Economic and Social Council, a key coordinating body meeting this summer in Geneva, is considering ways to move nations faster toward global public health goals, with a warning from developing countries that intellectual property rights should not interfere with access to medical products and innovation.
Conference May Boost WIPO Mandate On Food Security, Public Health 15/07/2009 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch and William New 1 Comment A conference at the World Intellectual Property Organization exploring and clarifying the connection between its work and several major public policy issues ended Tuesday with a look at public health and food security.
Intérêt croissant pour les IG : une réforme internationale est nécessaire selon les partisans 10/07/2009 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment TERUEL, ESPAGNE – Les indications géographiques (IG), qui favorisent une croissance économique durable et offrent une garantie de qualité, servent à la fois les intérêts des producteurs et ceux des consommateurs. Telle est la conclusion d’une réunion à haut niveau qui a rassemblé des partisans des IG en juin. Néanmoins, certains inconvénients au niveau international […]
G8: Amid Talks Of Climate, Economy, Food And Health Lies IP & Innovation 09/07/2009 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments Leaders of the seven biggest economies and Russia (G8) at their annual summit this week in L’Aquila, Italy have made very cautious commitments with regard to the top issue, climate change, but views on intellectual property rights enforcement began to become clear on the second day. The summit so far has addressed issues related to trade, development, terrorism, and also innovation and IP. Statements in the leaders’ Wednesday declaration with regard to intellectual property called for a firm push for the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA), which is unchanged from the past. But the G8 IP Expert Group (IPEG) on Thursday published the results of its discussion in which they went into more detail on some issues.
Kenyan AIDS Patients Seek To Overturn Anti-Counterfeiting Law As Unconstitutional 07/07/2009 by Nicholas Wadhams for Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments NAIROBI – Three HIV/AIDS patients in Kenya announced Tuesday they will petition the country’s Constitutional Court to declare a new anti-counterfeiting act illegal because it could deny them access to generic medicines. The move, which has the support of public health groups across the country, seeks to have the 2008 Anti-Counterfeiting Act made unconstitutional on the grounds that it could rob them of their right to life.
Kenya Pressured To Implement Anti-Counterfeit Law Despite Access Fears 02/07/2009 by Nicholas Wadhams for Intellectual Property Watch 4 Comments NAIROBI – An influential manufacturers’ lobbying group in Kenya is pushing the government to start enforcing an anti-counterfeiting law within weeks, despite fears from public health advocates that the new rules will impede access to generic drugs and set an unwanted precedent in East Africa.
WHO R&D Financing Group To Parse New Ideas, Look For Ways Forward 29/06/2009 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Perhaps the single most critical issue to resolve in addressing neglected diseases is how to ensure there is money to pay for research and clinical trials, even when the consumer demand is small and its constituents poor. A group of experts under the auspices of the World Health Organization this week is attempting to address the problem.
Prevent Patents Inhibiting Knowledge Diffusion For Green Technology, EU Told 26/06/2009 by David Cronin for Intellectual Property Watch 4 Comments Stringent intellectual property rules could hamper the spread of technology needed to fight climate change, an advisor to European Union policy-makers has warned.