WIPO Patent Law Committee Undertakes Many Issues This Week 27/06/2016 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The World Intellectual Property Organization Committee on the Law of Patents (SCP) is meeting this week. Among the possible agenda items: updates to the international patent system, exceptions and limitations to patents, quality of patents, patents and health, confidentiality of client-patent advisor communications, and technology transfer. A recent developed country proposal relates to increased work-sharing among patent offices. Also on the table this week is a new proposal to study the assessment of inventive step by patent practitioners.
Russia Centralizes State Power In The Field Of IP Rights 27/06/2016 by Eugene Gerden for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The Russian government has officially adopted a package of measures aimed at tightening state control for the observance of intellectual property rights in the country. This will take place through the introduction of a new system of IP management and implementation of other measures, according to recent statements of Oleg Fomichev, Russia’s deputy minister for economic development.
WTO Reports On IP Trends In G20 Countries 21/06/2016 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment As part of a larger report on the G20 top global economies, the World Trade Organization has provided a discussion of policy developments in trade and intellectual property. This includes a look at international policy actions, recent agreements, and national legislation and trends.
Nearly All Global Physical Counterfeiting Is From China & Hong Kong, US Report Shows 21/06/2016 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A new analysis released this week by the United States Chamber of Commerce Global Intellectual Property Center (GIPC) shows that some 86 percent of all physical counterfeiting comes from China and Hong Kong. Companies locating manufacturing there may not be surprised to find counterfeit versions of their products on the market, and seizures are a small fraction of the goods getting into the global trade stream, the report says.
USTR Froman: IP-Related Biologics Still Key Sticking Point For TPP Passage In US 20/06/2016 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment United States Trade Representative Michael Froman today said biologics remain one of the biggest unresolved issues in getting the Trans-Pacific Partnership passed in the US Congress. He called biologics an intellectual property rights issue and said the administration is working with Congress and industry to resolve concerns without reopening the trade deal completed last autumn.
WIPO GI System To Become More Expensive For Users; US Questions Administration 17/06/2016 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Last year, amid protests from some World Intellectual Property Organization members, a new treaty was adopted to protect geographical indications, broadening an existing treaty. One of the objections of some was that the existing treaty was not financially sustainable, and was piggybacking on other WIPO income-generating treaties. Last week, members of the treaty went over possible solutions to bring money into the system. Italy and France, the biggest beneficiaries, committed actual funds.
Amid Allegations Of IP Theft By Corporations, Local Kenyan Innovators React 10/06/2016 by Fredrick Nzwili for Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments NAIROBI, Kenya – As start-up and innovation centres spring up across Africa, Kenya – which birthed the continent’s tech movement – is emerging as one of its leading innovation nuclei. But concerns are intensifying here that young inventors are losing their innovations to conglomerates, in what is alleged as intellectual property theft or abuse.
Special Report: Roundup Of US Copyright Office Review Of US Law 08/06/2016 by Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The United States Copyright Office is examining how provisions of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) and the 1976 Copyright Act are working and whether any changes, legislative or otherwise, are needed. Not surprisingly, there are broad differences of opinion among rights owners, public interest groups, users of copyrighted works and the high-tech community on both questions.
Q&A With Erich Spangenberg On Patents And Drug Prices 03/06/2016 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Prices for drugs have long been a problem for developing countries but now have become out of reach for many in developed countries, sparking policy debates and efforts to address it. One of the top figures in the patent monetization business, industry maverick Erich Spangenberg offers a lively opinion on the underlying problem and how to fix it. To start? Stop granting patent extensions for minor changes.
New Potential Treaty Text In WIPO Committee On Genetic Resources 01/06/2016 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 5 Comments A revised version of what is hoped by a large number of World Intellectual Property Organization members to become a treaty protecting genetic resources from misappropriation was issued today.