WIPO Seminar: Experts Discuss IP Protection Of Genetic Resources 31/05/2016 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Last week, the World Intellectual Property Organization held a seminar on intellectual property and genetic resources. For over a decade, WIPO members have been discussing ways to protect genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge from misappropriation. The seminar allowed speakers from different regions and interests to offer their views on the topic.
WHO Boosts Efforts For Plain Packaging 31/05/2016 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment “Tobacco-related illness is one of the biggest public health threats the world has ever faced,” according to the World Health Organization, and plain packaging of tobacco products can save lives, it said. The theme of this year’s no-tobacco day, today, is: Get ready for plain packaging, as the WHO is calling for countries to introduce plain packaging in their territories.
Europe Medicines Group Joins Initiative To Fight Fake Medicines 27/05/2016 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Medicines for Europe, representing the generic, biosimilar, and medicines in Europe, announced today during a side event at the World Health Assembly, that it joined the Global Campaign to Fight Fake Medicines.
EU Council Green-Lights Trade Secrets Directive 27/05/2016 by Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The European Union trade secrets directive passed its final hurdle on 27 May when EU governments backed compromise text approved by the European Parliament on 14 April. Once the law has been formally published, member states will have up to two years to incorporate its provisions into domestic law.
US High Court To Consider IP Protection For Clothing Design 24/05/2016 by Steven Seidenberg for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Fashion in the US generates over $330 billion in annual revenues, but it is more than a business. Fashion is a well-recognized art, displayed in numerous museum exhibitions throughout the world. This art, however, receives little IP protection in the US. But a case before the US Supreme Court could change that.
Guilty As Charged? Pakistan And The Special 301 Reports 23/05/2016 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Owais Hassan Shaikh writes: According to the section of US law on Special 301 reports, a country may be considered a priority foreign country even when it is fully compliant with the WTO Agreement on the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), the main multilateral agreement on IP rights today. Hence, this legislation and the determinations made in the Special 301 reports prioritize protection of commercial interests of the US nationals.
WIPO Copyright Committee In Freewheel Mode; Conversation Continues 17/05/2016 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment It is difficult to understand whether the prospect of a treaty protecting rights of broadcasters is getting nearer or farther away at the World Intellectual Property Organization, as some countries are still calling for a diplomatic conference to finish the treaty, while others are saying agreement on core issues such as what and who the treaty should protect seems elusive. And the committee discussion of copyright exceptions and limitations was nourished by non-governmental entities explaining the need for those exceptions.
Business Report On Adjudicating IP Disputes In Specialised Jurisdictions Worldwide 16/05/2016 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has released a report that examines specialised intellectual property courts around the world.
India Releases New Intellectual Property Policy; Reactions Building 13/05/2016 by William New and Patralekha Chatterjee for Intellectual Property Watch 4 Comments The Indian government today released its long-awaited new intellectual property policy, and preliminary reactions appear to be that it caters to international pressures while attempting to provide a national focus. A more careful reading with reactions will follow.
US President Signs New Trade Secrets Law 12/05/2016 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment US President Barack Obama yesterday signed into law a measure aimed at strengthening trade secret protection including by allowing federal courts to hear cases involving trade secret theft.