European Union Sees Flurry Of Activity On Copyright Policy 21/02/2014 by Julia Fraser for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment There have been several important developments related to copyright in the European Union in the past week. Below is a summary.
3D Printing Will Cost The World USD100 Billion, Says Study 19/02/2014 by Julia Fraser for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment A recent report predicts the loss of at least $100 billion per year in intellectual property globally by 2018 as a result of 3D printing.
Paper Makes Recommendations For Exhaustion Of IP Rights 17/02/2014 by Julia Fraser for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment A recent paper issued by the International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development (ICTSD) compares existing exhaustion policies and makes recommendations for countries in the process of adopting their own regimes in this area. These have the potential to contribute to economic and social development, innovation and the protection of user rights globally, it said.
South Africa Promotion And Protection Of Investment Bill 2013 – A Review 13/02/2014 by Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments On 1 November 2013, the South African Department of Trade and Industry published the draft “Promotion and Protection of Investment Bill” for comments. And two lawyers caution that if not careful, it could come in conflict with the country’s international intellectual property obligations.
DNDi Director: ‘Reality Check’ Needed For Neglected Diseases 11/02/2014 by Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments Research and development into neglected diseases – those predominately affecting poorer populations and for which there is little commercial incentive – is undergoing “remarkable advances and rude set-backs,” says Bernard Pécoul, executive director of the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi). Now, governments need to show stronger leadership in bringing about long-term solutions, he said.
Alert: Pharma IPR 2014 Conference In Mumbai, 26-28 February 10/02/2014 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Dear Subscribers, CPhI’s 3rd Annual Pharma IPR 2014 conference to take place from 26-28 February, 2014 in Mumbai, India will have techno-legal experts from over 10+ regions speaking on the recent case studies on global Pharma and Biopharma patent laws. Among them, Jeffery Alan Hovden, Partner, Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi LLP from US will be speaking on critical developments in US pharma patent law in the year 2013 which have affected pharma and biopharma industry. He will also share best strategies on how Indian generic-drug and biologics enterprises need to go forward with their US-related projects. Some of the critical concerns he is planning to address include: Which pharmaceutical and diagnostic compounds and processes can even obtain a US patent? Whether the new, cheap and fast patent-challenge procedures are right for Indian companies in the life-sciences area? How to avoid paying the attorney fees for the other side in US litigation and indeed, how an Indian company might turn the tables and have the other side pay the company’s attorney fees? You can view his insights on “US Patent Law in 2013: Winds of Change” by clicking here. To optimise interactions with the audience, he and other global techno-legal experts would also be available in query handling sessions as well as one-on-one meetings, to discuss your concerns related to the US patent system. Click here to go through the detailed programme agenda. You can read more about the conference speakers here. To be a part of this exclusive event, please contact the organisers at +91 (22) 6172 7001 / conferences-india@ubm.com, or register online and take advantage of the special offers for you as you are our subscribers. P.S. You may find one of his earlier presentations on “From Small to Big: Some useful points in the coming shift from customary drugs to biologics” interesting – View the presentation here
New CBD Access And Benefit Sharing Clearing-House Website Presented At WIPO 07/02/2014 by Julia Fraser for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A new website of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity will allow tracking of the use of genetic resources in order to ensure access and benefit-sharing of those resources.
MSF: AstraZeneca Pullout Of Neglected Disease R&D Proof System Broken 31/01/2014 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Following news reports that pharmaceutical producer AstraZeneca will end its spending on early stage research and development for tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases, Médecins Sans Frontières issued a statement saying the move is further proof that substantive change to the global pharmaceutical R&D system is needed.
WHO Sets Path For Model R&D Projects For Developing Countries 25/01/2014 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments Members of the World Health Organization Executive Board this week moved forward on the long path to new ways to spur research and development for diseases that mainly afflict poor populations. A process has been set for considering – and potentially choosing among – eight projects before the annual World Health Assembly in May.
WHO Board Tackles Reform, Engagement With Non-State Actors 24/01/2014 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 5 Comments The World Health Organization Executive Board spent long hours this week discussing the progress of the reform of the organisation. Among items covered were the reform implementation plan, the engagement of WHO with non-state actors, and ways to improve decision-making by the organisation’s governing bodies.