Panellists: Global Health Justice Needs Government Commitment, New Innovation Models 15/10/2012 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments Global health needs innovation but also to ensure equitable access for the world population, panellists at a roundtable said last week. At issue is the capacity of the pharmaceutical industry to innovate, and the potential barriers to access in a context of widespread diseases that blur the boundaries between developed and developing countries. Most panellists concluded that governments should hold primary responsibility for the health of their populations.
UN High-Level Meeting In India On Biodiversity Addresses Access And Benefit-Sharing 12/10/2012 by Patralekha Chatterjee for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment At the ongoing 11th Conference of the Parties (COP11) to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Hyderabad, the hot topic is funds and how to mobilize it. The mega-conference is taking place in the shadow of a global economic slowdown, and delegates gathered at this southern Indian city are most concerned about how to drum up funds to tackle the world’s shrinking biodiversity – the variety of animal and plant life on earth.
GI Protection Gets Boost In BRICs; Common Definition Needed For International Debates 09/10/2012 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The protection of geographical indications at the international level is a brainteaser which translates into lack of progress in several fora, to the dismay of geographical indications proponents, according to speakers at an event last week. A publication was launched by GIs advocates at the event, aimed at providing producers in emerging economies with useful tools to protect their GIs.
No Deal For Now On WIPO Design Treaty, Patent Law Work Plan 08/10/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Members of the World Intellectual Property Organization this week could not agree on a work plan for the WIPO Standing Committee on the Law of Patents (SCP), leading to a likely postponement of the next committee meeting. In addition, the annual WIPO General Assemblies failed to agree to hold a diplomatic conference on a Design Law Treaty, but did agree on an expedited way forward. And the Assemblies took note of the work of the committees on standards and enforcement.
WIPO Members (Again) Intensify Talks On Genetic Material, TK, Folklore 07/10/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments World Intellectual Property Organization members this week agreed to a year-long plan to intensively negotiate for a legal instrument(s) on the protection of genetic resources, traditional knowledge and folklore. Next year’s annual WIPO assembly in October will decide on whether to schedule a diplomatic conference to finalise the instrument.
India Ratifies Nagoya Protocol On Biodiversity Access And Benefit-Sharing 05/10/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The Union Cabinet of India has approved ratification of the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-Sharing, a measure that provides a tool against biopiracy. The 4 October action comes on the eve of the 11th Conference of Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
WIPO Assembly Moves To Fast-Track Copyright Exceptions For Visually Impaired 04/10/2012 by Maricel Estavillo for Intellectual Property Watch and William New 2 Comments The majority of member states of the 185-strong World Intellectual Property Organization have thrown their support for the fast-tracked negotiation of a new treaty or other instrument that sets limitations and exceptions to copyright for the benefit of the visually-impaired and those with print disabilities
Move Toward New Pan-African IP Organisation Alarms Observers 27/09/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments A seemingly remote African Union proposal to create a Pan-African Intellectual Property Organization appears to have gained momentum and will come before African science and technology ministers for review in early November, according to sources. A copy of the final draft statutes shows how the new body would operate, and for some observers, how it would elevate African IP standards well above current levels, with “disastrous consequences” for access, development, and human rights.
Agricultural Innovation Needed In Africa, With Farmers’ Participation, WTO Panellists Say 26/09/2012 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Farmers’ needs are not addressed by the current intellectual property framework or by innovation, according to panellists at the World Trade Organization Public Forum this week, and farmers should be invited to participate in international negotiations directly impacting their livelihood. Meanwhile, the African continent is seeking a way to address the food security problem, faced with a growing population and dire need to modernise their agriculture, other panellists said.
UN Clears WIPO Shipments To Iran 26/09/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The United Nations Security Council committee on sanctions has cleared the UN World Intellectual Property Organization of wrongdoing in shipping high-tech equipment to Iran.