Internet Governance Forum: Is It More Than Talk? 15/02/2007 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch Multi-stakeholder “dynamic coalitions” of the UN Internet Governance Forum (IGF) are pushing to have privacy, intellectual property, open standards and freedom of expression on the agenda of the second meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil next autumn. At a 13 February IGF stocktaking meeting in Geneva, several of […]
Industry, Intergovernmental Organizations Launch Global Anti-Piracy Blitz 31/01/2007 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By William New Multinational companies have long complained about cheap, dangerous knock-offs of their products undermining their profits and reputation, but in a two-day annual high-level gathering along with key intergovernmental organisations this week, they have taken the anti-piracy and counterfeiting campaign to new heights. Industry and the organisations have seized upon ties to organised […]
International Health IP Policy Issues To Be Watched In 2007 09/01/2007 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen The year 2006 was a busy one in terms of health policy developments related to intellectual property rights, and a quick look at the events ahead in 2007 shows that the coming year should be no less interesting.
Signal-Based Or Nothing, Some Say At US Broadcasting Treaty Roundtable 04/01/2007 by John T. Aquino for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By John T. Aquino for Intellectual Property Watch WASHINGTON, DC – At the 3 January roundtable discussion concerning the work at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) on a broadcasters’ rights treaty, many of the more than 50 participants were vocal in their opposition, with some in support. Most said the proposed treaty was unnecessary […]
WHO Head Chan Cites Optimism, Issues Warning, Omits IP In Opening Remarks 04/01/2007 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By William New In her opening remarks to staff on her first day in office, new World Health Organization Director-General Margaret Chan said she would not rock the organisation boat, would focus policy on women and Africa, issued a warning on behaviour, and otherwise avoided the contentious issues relating to health and intellectual property rights. […]
WIPO Committee Breaks Deadlock In Talks On Traditional Knowledge, Folklore 06/12/2006 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By William New Member governments of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) this week broke a longstanding deadlock over how to discuss better protection of traditional knowledge and folklore. In addition, several countries stepped up their call for talks on genetic resources toward an international instrument. The carefully constructed path forward on traditional knowledge and […]
“Dynamic Coalitions,” The New Sword In Internet Governance Debates 05/11/2006 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment By William New ATHENS – The World Summit on the Information Society told the world to build “dynamic” coalitions to address problems related to the Internet, and this week, the world responded. At the four-day Internet Governance Forum here ending 2 November, seemingly more than a dozen coalitions emerged on every topic of concern related […]
Copyrights, Knowledge Access, Democracy Debated At Internet Forum 01/11/2006 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment By William New ATHENS – Whether intellectual property rights protection is inhibiting the free flow of information was hotly debated at the Internet Governance Forum on 31 October. “Just about every aspect of the free flow of information is now hampered” by technologies, laws and other reasons, said Joichi Ito of Creative Commons. “Suddenly the […]
UN-led Conference Grills Corporations On Support For Restrictive Internet Regimes 31/10/2006 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By William New ATHENS – Participants in this week’s Internet Governance Forum here saw strong support for ensuring public access to knowledge as tough questions were put to technology corporations for their apparent support of restrictive government practices. But representatives of the corporations, including Cisco Systems, Google and Microsoft, held their own in the debate. […]
India At The Forefront Of Knowledge Commons Debate 03/09/2006 by Frederick Noronha for Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments By Frederick Noronha for Intellectual Property Watch NEW DELHI – What do seeds have in common with software? Or age-old medicines with copyright lawyers? And, what’s the link between ayurvedic medicines and techies talking free software in Bangalore? Such issues are getting closely enmeshed in a deepening debate on how knowledge is shared or controlled […]