WIPO Traditional Knowledge Committee Begins Work On Core Issues; Indigenous Peoples May Be Left Out 27/08/2018 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The World Intellectual Property Organization’s committee seeking to find solutions against misappropriation of traditional knowledge opened this morning. While delegates are expected to negotiate wording of a potential treaty, the fund allowing indigenous peoples to participate in the discussions is empty with no foreseeable new donors, described by the chair as a historical situation. The committee is also trying to agree on recommendations for the upcoming WIPO General Assembly next month. On core issues, such as what the protection should cover, who would benefit from it, and under which conditions, delegates still have to find common positions.
USPTO Seeks Comments On Draft Strategic Plan 2018-2022 23/08/2018 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is seeking comments on its draft strategic plan for the years 2018-2022. The draft plan covers a range of goals, including optimizing patent and trademark quality and timeliness, and providing “domestic and global leadership to improve intellectual property policy, enforcement, and protection worldwide.”
Counter-Measures – How Startups Can Fight Pirates Without Burning Cash 03/08/2018 by Guest contributor for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Patent litigation can drain capital during the crucial first few months of launching new technology, a particular problem in the capital-intensive hardware space. Companies need to find creative ways to go after patent thieves without stifling growth or ceding market share, writes Michael A. Nicolas.
Special Report: CBD Advisory Bodies Make Recommendations On Sequence Data, Global Mechanism, Implementation 02/08/2018 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The UN Convention on Biological Diversity advisory bodies met last month to consider issues in preparation of the high-level Conference of the Parties later this year in Egypt. Among the topics were how to deal with genetic resources DNA information under the CBD protocol on access and benefit-sharing (Nagoya Protocol). Another was concerns met by countries implementing the protocol, in particular developing countries, and the need for capacity building.
Trade Secret Thief Hid Files In Digital Photo Of Sunset 02/08/2018 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment An alleged thief caught stealing trade secrets from General Electric in New York hid the electronic files inside an innocent-looking digital picture of a sunset, according to the United States Department of Justice.
US Considers Upping Stakes Again In Trade Dispute With China Over IP, Tech Transfer 01/08/2018 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The Trump administration today announced it is considering raising its proposed tariffs from 10 to 25 percent on $200 billion worth of Chinese imports. The move is another in an attempt to get China to change the way it treats US companies including by alleging forcing transfer of technology and intellectual property.
Updated WIPO Guide On Alternative Dispute Resolution A Tool For IP Offices 31/07/2018 by Gaensly Joseph for Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The World Intellectual Property Organization Arbitration and Mediation Center has released an updated guide providing an overview of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) processes for intellectual property disputes. The guide provides instructions on how to use the ADR process that has helped resolve tens of thousands of legal disputes outside of the courts.
US Continues To Block Progress On WTO Appeals Body, While Rapidly Adding Cases To The System 20/07/2018 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The United States is piling up dispute settlement cases against its trading partners at the World Trade Organization while at the same time ironically blocking any progress on the selection of panellists for appeals in the WTO dispute settlement process.
Balance Achieved In Future Work For WIPO Patent Law Committee, Delegates Say 13/07/2018 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The last World Intellectual Property Organization committee before the summer break ended on a happy note this week. After some time spent tweaking the future work of the WIPO committee on the law of patents, delegates appeared satisfied with the balance achieved. The week saw plans for conferences, numerous new proposals and calls for reports, on subjects such as research exceptions, patents and medicines access, compulsory licensing, technology transfer, and patent quality.
Interpol Leads Widespread Operation Against Counterfeit Goods 12/07/2018 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The international police agency Interpol today announced that it coordinated a massive sweep of arrests and seizures of tons of fake goods across four continents in recent months.