European Parliament: No More Bank Data Transfers To US For Anti-Terror Investigations 23/10/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The European Parliament is showing some teeth again. Following the ongoing revelations of mass surveillance by US intelligence agencies, the Parliament plenary today passed a resolution calling on the EU Commission to temporarily suspend all data transfers according to the Terrorist Finance Tracking Program (TFTP) with the United States Treasury Department.
New EU Customs Regulation Might Allow Wrongful Seizures Of Generic Drugs In Transit, NGOs Say 17/10/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments A recent European Union regulation on customs enforcement of intellectual property rights has raised concerns among civil society actors who find that the regulation might not be an improvement over its previous version under which seizure of legal generic medicines in transit occurred a few years ago, leading to a World Trade Organization dispute.
IP Scores High In Sports – Supports Amateurs, Olympics, Development, Speakers Say 16/10/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Alongside last week’s meeting of the World Trade Organization intellectual property committee, the United States, European Union and Jamaica organised an event on the relevance of intellectual property in sports. Speakers from professional organisations such as the International Olympic Committee, the Association of European Professional Football Leagues, and the Nike company were invited to share their experience in the matter.
WTO: Tobacco Plain-Packaging Battle Flares Up; Sports And IP Issues Take The Field 14/10/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The World Trade Organization intellectual property committee last week agreed on a draft decision on disputes that are not in direct violation of WTO IP rules but where one country’s measures negatively affect another country’s expected benefits. Plain packaging for tobacco products was also discussed as Ireland is preparing to introduce such a measure meant to discourage tobacco use, and some countries presented their views on the importance of IP rights in sports.
US Copyright Reform Hearing Rescheduled To 12 December 11/10/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment A hearing to consider a United States government “green paper” as part of the ongoing reform of the US copyright system has been moved to 12 December due to the government shutdown.
USTR Support Of USITC Ban On Samsung Imports Contrasts With Earlier Position 09/10/2013 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) yesterday approved the US International Trade Commission’s ban on imports of certain electronics from Samsung, based in part on the fact that the patents in the case do not involve standard essential patents (SEPs). By contrast, concern over SEPs was a big reason for the recent White House decision to overturn a USITC finding that Apple had violated Samsung’s patents.
IP Law Europe Summit To Address Patent Policy, Secrecy, Know-How, M&As, Brands Online 09/10/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment IP Law Summit November 17-19, 2013| Grande Real Villa Itália| Cascais, Lisbon, Portugal The IP Law Europe Summit is the premium forum bringing together leading in-house IP counsel with specialist international law firms, IP attorneys and legal services providers. As an invitation-only event taking place behind closed doors, the summit offers regional IP executives an intimate environment for a focused discussion of key new drivers shaping the IP industry. Distinguished speakers include: Tommi Lehtinen, Head of IPR, Product Differentiation Portfolio, Nokia Siemens Networks Peter Schøtt Knudsen, VP, Global Head of Legal & IPR, ECCO Cheree Johnson, Chief Innovation Counsel, HJ Heinz Jean Luc Chalhoub, GC, New Business & Strategic Partnerships, Orange Jan Strzebniok, VP & GC, EMEAI, Honeywell Aerospace Vincent Pickering, CLO & Secretary, WABCO Mark Lágler, GC, Supply Chain and Global Services, Unilever Key issues for 2013 include: Ahead of the Game – Keeping pace with the latest developments in patent legislation in the EU and US Dynamic Exchange – Leveraging know-how and technology transfer to stimulate cost-efficient innovation Positive-Sum Game – Informing the M&A strategy to unlock valuable transactions Secrecy Status – Exploring trade secrets protection to keep expenditure under control and defend IP in fast-moving markets A Taxing Issue – Orchestrating IP and R&D activities to reap the benefits of favourable tax regimes Designing Value – Shielding design and packaging elements to boost brand recognition Diversity Powerhouse – Mastering the art of orchestrating diversity to excel as a team Social Media Palooza – Riding the digital wave while guarding your brand and reputation To gain a view of the event brochure, click here: http://www.marcusevans-conferences-northamerican.com/IPLawEU_eaag_IPW For speaking, sponsoring or attending, please contact Laurel Zevitz at +1 312-540-3000 ext 6683 or email l.zevitz@marcusevansch.com
At WTO, Online Pharmacy Watchdog, Tobacco Industry Explain Anti-Counterfeiting Efforts 07/10/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The US Chamber of Commerce’s Global Intellectual Property Center organised a panel during the World Trade Organization Public Forum last week to explore what industry sees as challenges of trade in the digital age. Three panellists presented concerns – mainly counterfeiting – and solutions they have put in place to address such challenges.
Nagoya Protocol Halfway To Required Number Of Accessions 04/10/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment According to the secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, five new ratifications have brought the 2010 treaty on the protection of genetic resources closer to ratification.
Plurilateral Agreement On Geographical Indications On Its Way At WIPO 01/10/2013 by Alessandro Marongiu for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Last week, WIPO members that are parties to a special agreement on the protection of appellations of origin agreed to convene a diplomatic conference in 2015 to adopt a revision of the 1958 Lisbon Agreement. The revised treaty would extend to all geographical indications the protection already granted to appellations of origin. The decision to convene a diplomatic conference, however, stirred up controversy with a number of WIPO members that are not parties to the treaty.