World Customs Organization Publications Copyright Policy Questioned 21/10/2008 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment By William New In an unusual policy for an international organisation, the World Customs Organization imposes copyright over every document its bodies produce, even agendas, which means that no document can be reproduced without the organisation’s express consent. But now some member governments are questioning this practice, which they say was intended only for the […]
RealDVD Court Case Could Prompt More Commercial-Grade DVD Copying Software 20/10/2008 by Bruce Gain for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment By Bruce Gain for Intellectual Property Watch An upcoming federal court ruling in the United States that will determine whether or not RealNetworks’ RealDVD copying software violates the US Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) will likely have a major impact on releases of similar software in the near future.
WIPO Committee On Traditional Knowledge And Folklore Running In Place 16/10/2008 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By Kaitlin Mara Work of the World Intellectual Property Organisation body dedicated to the protection of traditional knowledge and folklore this week has moved largely to informal meetings after progress in the full plenary sessions over the first few days proved elusive. Key points of discussion are whether to hold additional meetings over the coming […]
WTO Members Call For More TRIPS Talks; Director Post May Open Up 14/10/2008 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment By William New Whether the World Trade Organization director general position will be up for grabs in the new year remains a question, as current DG Pascal Lamy is deciding by December whether to run for the post again. Meanwhile, numerous member governments on Tuesday called for any further trade negotiations at the WTO to […]
President Bush Signs New IP Enforcement Bill Into Law 14/10/2008 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment By Catherine Saez President Bush on Monday signed into law a bill strengthening civil and criminal laws against counterfeiting and piracy, boosting resources for enforcement and prosecution, and changing coordination of IP enforcement issues within the Executive Branch. Under the Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property (PRO-IP) Act of 2008, copyright registration would not […]
Intellectual Property And Access Can Co-Exist, US Rightsholders Say 09/10/2008 by Liza Porteus Viana, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By Liza Porteus Viana for Intellectual Property Watch WASHINGTON, DC – There is a growing backlash against intellectual property rights and international rules aimed at protecting innovation and ideas in certain parts of the globe, several pharmaceutical and other innovator companies said Wednesday. Not only does the protection of intellectual property need to be strengthened, […]
Key US Senators Warn Bush Administration On ACTA 03/10/2008 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By William New The leaders of the powerful United States Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday warned US trade negotiators to rein in the scope of negotiations on an international treaty against counterfeiting, and to make the process more transparent. At the same time, they chided the Bush administration for failing to support the senators’ legislative […]
Global Access To Medicines Not Improved By TRIPS Waiver, Some Say 01/10/2008 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A much-heralded 2003 waiver to World Trade Organization intellectual property rules aimed at helping poor countries receive needed medicines they cannot produce themselves has brought little if any help five years later, according to governments and public health advocates. The so-called “30 August 2003 Decision” allowing WTO members to use compulsory licences to produce and […]
US Congress Hastens Through Flurry Of IP Legislation Before Departure 01/10/2008 by Liza Porteus Viana, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By Liza Porteus Viana for Intellectual Property Watch In the waning days of this congressional session in the United States, US lawmakers are passing a flurry of intellectual property-related bills. One of the bills awaiting President Bush’s signature would create a position of a top intellectual property official in the White House. Another bill would […]
Biotech, Pharma Industries To Target IP Protection Legislation, Patent Reform 26/09/2008 by Liza Porteus Viana, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By Liza Porteus Viana for Intellectual Property Watch When the new administration and Congress come into office following the November elections in the United States, the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries will prioritise protection of their intellectual property and innovative biological drugs as the push for cheaper, generic versions gets stronger. Patent reform also will continue to be a lobbying priority, as well as making sure intellectual property is protected in any forthcoming international trade agreements.