Anti-ACTA Protests Expected In Two Dozen Countries; Parliament Opposition Rises 08/06/2012 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment All seems to come down to the numbers on the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement: how many protesters will turn up at the ACTA Action Day in Europe tomorrow and how many members of the European Parliament (EP) will vote for it in plenary on 3 July. Without the EP agreement, ACTA will fail, at least in Europe, observers say.
On Eve Of Protests: Watch ACTA Debate With Key Parliament Members 08/06/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment On the eve of the 9 June Europe-wide protests against the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA), journalist Jennifer Baker of IDG met with Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) Christian Engström (Pirate Party) & Niccolo Rinaldi (ALDE) to discuss the current state of affairs with regard to the ACTA. Watch the video.
Discussion On Counterfeits With A Flavour Of Rum At WTO TRIPS Council 06/06/2012 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Intellectual property enforcement was discussed at yesterday’s session of the World Trade Organization council on IP-related issues in two different contexts, both involving the United States. Cuba complained about the US failure to comply with a 10-year-old ruling on a Cuban rum brand name, and the US added an agenda item on enforcement against counterfeit goods, both of which created some stir.
G8 Countries Take Hard Line On Counterfeit Medicines 31/05/2012 by Matthew Gibson for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The Group of Eight (G8) industrialised countries recently met to discuss major challenges to the global economy, climate change, food security and nutrition, and political and security issues. And the commitments they made on intellectual property rights reflect their current thinking on the issue.
Rod Of Justice For French Internet Infringers May Soften 30/05/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The French “three-strike” law aimed at preventing illegal downloading of protected works on the internet, enacted in October 2009 after much controversy, may be modified by the newly elected French government, according to sources.
Governments, WHO, Reveal Industry’s Back-Channel Battle Against Tobacco Legislation 30/05/2012 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The shadow of the tobacco industry was present at last week’s annual World Health Assembly, featuring the villain in what World Health Organization Director General Margaret Chan called a theatre of the absurd. The tactics of the “evil industry,” as she called it, aimed at undermining countries’ efforts to implement tobacco control legislations were illustrated with concrete country examples at a side event during the week.
World Health Assembly: Members Gavel New Mechanism To Fight Poor-Quality Medicines 26/05/2012 by Rachel Marusak Hermann, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment World Health Organization member states have decided to establish a new mechanism for international collaboration to prevent and control “substandard, spurious, falsely-labelled, falsified and counterfeit medical products” (SSFFC). Excluding trade and intellectual property considerations, this mechanism is called to approach the problem strictly from a public health perspective.
Drug Safety Needs Global Cooperation Of Drug Regulators, Officials Say 19/05/2012 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment On the eve of the World Health Assembly, the permanent mission of Brazil organised an informal meeting on sanitary regulation and how to improve cooperation among drug regulatory agencies. Major stakeholders were invited to present challenges and ongoing efforts to improve global quality, safety and efficacy of medical products.
US Legal Academics Call For Congressional Review Of ACTA 18/05/2012 by Nancy Situ for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment An open letter was sent yesterday from 50 American legal academics encouraging members of the United States Senate Finance Committee to exercise their Constitutional responsibility to ensure that the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) is treated as a binding international agreement requiring legislative ratification and sent to Senate for approval.
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.