Tailandia presenta informe sobre su experiencia con licencias obligatorias 19/03/2007 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Por Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen Un funcionario tailandés afirma que los teléfonos del Gobierno han comenzado a sonar con mayor frecuencia desde que Tailandia concedió licencias obligatorias para importar y, finalmente, fabricar medicamentos patentados, lo cual ha obligado a los titulares de patentes a disminuir sus precios. Sin embargo, en una reunión reciente, los escépticos […]
Thailand Presents Report On Compulsory Licensing Experience 12/03/2007 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch 9 Comments By Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen A Thai official says the government’s phones have started ringing a lot more frequently since Thailand issued compulsory licenses to import and eventually produce patented medicines, moving patent owners to drop their prices. But sceptics maintained at a recent meeting that Thailand should have talked to the companies before issuing […]
Indonesian Avian Flu Stance Reveals Potential Weakness In Global System 08/03/2007 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments By Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen The Indonesian government’s reluctance to share avian influenza virus samples to help develop a global vaccine for humans has revealed a weakness in the international flu research system related to developing countries’ concern with the impact of intellectual property rights on public health. Developing countries are concerned that if they […]
NGO-Industry Drug For Poor Countries Sets Non-Patent Standard 05/03/2007 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments By Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen A new anti-malarial, non-patented drug available cheaply to the public sector is being hailed as proof that it is possible for the private and public sectors to overcome differences over patents and reach concrete results for public health in poor countries. The not-for-profit research organisation, Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative […]
Informative Debate On IP And Drug Price Model, Flexibilities 26/02/2007 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By William New An informative event this week pitted key proponents of opposite views on how to best protect the intellectual property rights of pharmaceutical companies while also addressing the needs of poor patients around the world unable to afford necessary treatments. The 20 February panel entitled, “Debating Pharmaceutical IPRs,” jointly sponsored by the UN […]
Patent Debates Continue Worldwide In 2007 19/02/2007 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen and William New Patents are bound to be another hot issue this year. But although many parties are pushing for changes in this area – from global patent harmonisation and proposals for better patent protection of biodiversity and traditional knowledge, to ways to control soaring patent filings, to national reform of patent laws – actual implementation of these changes may be harder to obtain.
Drug Company Reacts To Thai License; Government Ready To Talk 16/02/2007 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment By Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen One of the companies whose patent may be overruled by Thailand’s issuance of a compulsory license said it was caught off-guard by the Thai move, which was aimed at reducing drug prices. The Thai government says it is determined to execute the three such licenses it has issued recently, but […]
Opposition Gains Support Against Novartis Patent Lawsuit In India 15/02/2007 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments By Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen As a case challenging India’s patent law proceeds this week, pressure is building from politicians, religious leaders and civil society on Swiss pharmaceutical company Novartis to withdraw the case in the name of public health, sources said. In January 2006, Novartis was denied a patent in India for a special […]
TRIPS Meeting: Boost To IP Issues As Part Of Resumed Trade Talks, US Submits Enforcement Proposal 14/02/2007 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen Members of a 13 February World Trade Organization (WTO) meeting on intellectual property rights, signalled that consultations on IP issues will be stepped up in the coming weeks as part of the overall revival in global trade talks, according to participants. Also at the meeting, the United States presented a […]
Debate On Malaria And Trade Flexibilities At WHO 06/02/2007 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments By Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen A recent top-level meeting of the World Health Organization discussed member states’ rights to address malaria using flexibilities in international trade and intellectual property law. But there was strong disagreement as to how far this language should go, according to sources. At the 22-30 January WHO Executive Board meeting, some […]