Indigenous Peoples Rights’ Reaffirmed By UN Rapporteur, Panellists, At WIPO 05/02/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 4 Comments The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous People, James Anaya, was invited to speak at the opening of the World Intellectual Property Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore (IGC) yesterday. Along with other indigenous peoples representatives, he called for more participation of indigenous peoples in the process and a focus on the protection of their traditional knowledge, while WIPO raised alarm on the almost thorough depletion of the voluntary fund allowing the participation of indigenous peoples.
Plant Variety Protection Meets Resistance in Developing Countries; Consultations Coming 04/02/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments Plant variety protection has raised concerns in Africa and in Latin America, and further developments are expected in 2013.
Polio Talks At WHO Board: Between Progress Made, The Final Push And The Role Of Partnership 03/02/2013 by Tiphaine Nunzia Caulier for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment On the occasion of the 132nd session of the World Health Organization Executive Board last week, delegations welcomed the efforts made by the international community to eradicate poliomyelitis (polio), but saw room for improvement. As a way forward, they looked to the key role played by WHO partners.
Genetic Resources And Traditional Knowledge : Getting The Rules Right For Agriculture: A Key Challenge For WIPO’s IGC 01/02/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch 4 Comments An essential relationship exists among the conservation, development and use of genetic resources, sustainable agriculture and food security. There is an equally essential relationship between the conservation, development and use of genetic resources and small scale-farmers. The strength and effectiveness of any treaty addressing IP and genetic resources depends on the meaningful participation of small-scale farmers, and those that can represent them, as in the treaty deliberations continuing next week at WIPO, write Susan Bragdon and Lynn Finnegan.
Potential Elements Of The WHO Global R&D Treaty: Tailoring Solutions For Disparate Contexts 29/01/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Prof. Ryan Abbott analyzes the key components of the WHO proposal for a Global R&D Treaty and their potential impact on public health. The article proposes strategies to convert parties currently opposing the treaty, and argues that a stratified limited market-exclusivity regime has the capacity for a meaningful impact.
Governments Put WHO’s Independence At Heart Of Reform Debate 25/01/2013 by Rachel Marusak Hermann, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments Any employee who has been through a company reform knows that it can be an anxious and stressful period. The experience is no different for the 194 members of the World Health Organization representing their respective countries and the public health interests of their constituents. As the WHO Executive Board digs deep into the fundamental principles of organisational change, preserving the holy member-driven nature of the global public health authority has emerged as the most pressing priority.
Google Report Shows Steady Rise In Government Surveillance 23/01/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment US internet giant Google has released a report showing a steady climb in government surveillance online, which a tech industry group called “disturbing”. The report, which covered from July through December of last year, includes more details than in the past, but does not include content takedowns, which now will be the subject of an upcoming separate report.
Philippines Mulls Suspended Cybercrime Law Restricting Communication 23/01/2013 by Maricel Estavillo for Intellectual Property Watch 5 Comments Manila, Philippines – The Philippine Supreme Court has begun to hear and weigh the arguments on the constitutionality of a controversial law listing punishable activities on the internet. Its implementation was suspended last year amid mounting criticism that, among other things, the law curtails freedom of speech and harks the country back to the almost a decade of repressive martial rule in the 1970s.
2013: India Battles For Right To Use Compulsory Licences To Make Medicines Affordable 22/01/2013 by Patralekha Chatterjee for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment India has started the New Year on a volatile note. With general elections looming in 2014, there is turbulence and not just in the political world. In India’s pharmaceutical industry, there is sparring over the prickly issue of ‘compulsory licenses’, a mechanism by which a government allows a domestic company to manufacture and sell a generic version of a patented drug without the consent of the patent-holder, who receives compensation.
US FTC Finds Sharp Rise In ‘Pay-For-Delay’ Deals Blocking Generics 18/01/2013 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The United States Federal Trade Commission, which keeps an eye out for anticompetitive behaviour, has issued a study finding that in 2012, a record number of deals were struck between brand-name and generic drug companies to keep the lower-priced generics off the market. Such deals, which arise from patent disputes, cost American consumers billions of dollars annually while piling on the federal deficit, it said.