Opportunities, Risks Of Rapid Technological Change Discussed At UN 08/06/2018 by David Branigan, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The Third annual United Nations Multi-stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the Sustainable Development Goals opened with Marie Chatardová, president of the Economic and Social Council, stating that “STI is shaping the trajectory of our society, helping the world address global challenges and achieve Sustainable Development Goals.”
US Section 301, China, And Technology Transfer: Law And Its Limitations Revisited (Again) 07/06/2018 by Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments Frederick Abbott writes: On 20 May 2018, US Treasury Secretary Mnuchin announced that the US and China were “putting the trade war on hold” while the two countries seek to “execute the framework” of a broad agreement intended to reduce the US trade deficit in goods with China. According to the joint statement issued on 19 May 2018, “Both sides attach paramount importance to intellectual property protections, and agreed to strengthen cooperation. China will advance relevant amendments to its laws and regulations in this area, including the Patent Law.”
Artificial Intelligence Applied: ‘Alex’ May Respond To Trademark Filers’ Facial Expressions 05/06/2018 by Gaensly Joseph for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment A new “virtual assistant” used by the Australian Intellectual Property Office may be able in the future to read the facial expressions of trademark filers and provide them with solutions – with empathy.
IP Rights Through Two Lenses At Next Week’s TRIPS Council: Improving Lives, Competition Law 29/05/2018 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Next week, the World Trade Organization intellectual property committee is invited to discuss two distinct aspects of intellectual property protection. One group of countries is proposing to explore the value of IP and its role in improving lives in a persistent agenda item on IP and innovation. Another group of countries is pushing for a more recent agenda on IP and the public interest and next week is suggesting to discuss how to use competition laws against the abuse of IP rights.
MPP Board Gives Green Light To Expansion, Now Has To Identify Candidates 28/05/2018 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The Medicines Patent Pool announced this week that its Board agreed on the extension of the MPP mandate to patented medicines on the World Health Organization Essential Medicines List. The decision follows an extensive feasibility study. During a side event held on the margins of the annual World Health Assembly, Patent Pool officials explained the findings of the study, while in the audience, a representative of the pharmaceutical industry suggested a cautious approach.
WHA Agrees On Recommendations To Reinvigorate Plan Of Action To Boost R&D, Access 25/05/2018 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments Ten years after the adoption of a World Health Organization plan of action meant to stimulate innovation for diseases that disproportionately affect developing countries, and with very little to show for it since, delegates at the World Health Assembly this week agreed to a number of recommendations to reinvigorate the effort. How to finance the implementation of those recommendations, however, is unclear.
Ingredients For WHO Roadmap On Access To Medicines At Civil Society Side Event 25/05/2018 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments On the side of this week’s World Health Assembly and hours before the Assembly agreed on preparing a roadmap on access to medicines, two civil society groups held an event on the same subject. The Brazilian ambassador, a senior official from the Netherlands, and a WHO assistant director general among others delivered their thoughts on the issue and the way forward. Key words were high prices, transparency, and trade flexibilities.
Swiss Group Suggests Switzerland Use Compulsory Licences To Curb Cancer Drug Prices 24/05/2018 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment During a side event held alongside this week’s World Health Assembly, public health advocates proposed that Switzerland use compulsory licensing as a way to decrease what they said are exorbitant drug prices.
Global Antimicrobial Resistance R&D Hub Launched At Health Assembly 22/05/2018 by Damilola Adepeju for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Countries, organisations and foundations came together today alongside the annual World Health Assembly to launch the Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Development Hub (Global AMR R&D Hub).
Women And IP As Topic To Be Pursued At WIPO Committee On Development And IP 20/05/2018 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment In the wake of the annual intellectual property day this year focusing on women, the World Intellectual Property Organization Committee on Development and IP this week agreed to discuss women and IP at its next session, as the first topic under a new agenda. The committee also agreed to a new project on the role of women in innovation. In other areas, more discussions are foreseen on whether regular international conferences on IP and development can be approved, and on recommendations by an independent expert group on the implementation of the WIPO Development Agenda.