Resale Right Should Be Added To WIPO Copyright Committee, Authors Say 12/10/2015 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments Resale right, which refers to royalties that visual artists can claim on the resale of their work by art dealers, should be discussed at the World Intellectual Property Organization, according to an international association of authors. An international harmonised framework does not currently exist.
Trademark: Low Visual Similarity, No Phonetic Similarity, But Still Confusingly Similar? 12/10/2015 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment In 2007, a Polish company filed an application for a composite European Community trademark comprising the representation in colour of a crocodilian with its torso made up from the letters of the word “kajman” in printed characters for, among others, classes 18 (leather goods) and 25 (clothing, footwear).
WIPO Hears From The Creators Behind Copyright Protection In Global Film 09/10/2015 by Marianna Drake for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A private sector panel at the World Intellectual Property Organization this week explored the collaborative relationships that develop between screenwriters, producers, and directors around the world as they bring a project from an initial idea to a finished film. The panel also looked at the role of copyright law in the various stages of this film-making process.
“No Human Right To Patent Protection,” Says UN Rapporteur On Cultural Rights 08/10/2015 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments In a new report, the United Nations Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights examines the implications of patent policy for the right to science and culture. She gives a number of recommendations calling for countries to refrain from granting stringent patent protection, and respect their human right obligations.
Decisions On WIPO Copyright, Trademark Committees Elusive, Consultations Ongoing 08/10/2015 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The World Intellectual Property Organization governing body started examining the work of its committees yesterday, with the hope of solving some issues that those committees were unable to solve during the year. This included the work programmes of the committees on copyright and on trademarks and geographical indications.
New Book Launched At WTO: The Making Of The TRIPS Agreement 07/10/2015 by Catherine Saez and William New, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The 1994 World Trade Organization Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) has been a landmark pact in the IP world and beyond. Now on the 20th anniversary of its entry into force, former TRIPS negotiators and other experts have come out with a book recounting the remarkable set of circumstances and compromises that took place to bring this agreement into being.
TPP Heads Into Ratification Game 06/10/2015 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Reactions to yesterday’s announcement that the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) is in the books quickly turned to “what’s next?” with European Commissioner Cecilia Malmstroem sending congratulations and expressing expectations that “with TPP done, we will be able to approach our TTIP negotiations with an even greater focus from both sides.” But considerable work remains for TPP to come into effect.
Countries Seek Ways To Restore Work On Traditional Knowledge Protection At WIPO 06/10/2015 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The fate of the World Intellectual Property Organization committee dedicated to finding solutions to protect traditional knowledge, generic resources, and folklore is being actively discussed informally at the organisation’s general assembly.
WIPO Director Sees Tougher Times For Multilateral IP Treaties 05/10/2015 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Negotiations for new global policies on intellectual property has become more challenging due to a greater competition in innovation, knowledge asymmetries, and the push for bilateral and regional treaties, the head of the World Intellectual Property Organization said today.
WIPO General Assemblies To Tackle Budget, Fate Of Traditional Knowledge Committee 04/10/2015 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment This week, the World Intellectual Property Organization annual General Assemblies will set the priorities and direction for the organisation for the year to come. The Assemblies also have before it approval of WIPO’s budget for the next biennium 2016/2017.