WIPO Innovation Division On Chopping Block? 04/07/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Several years ago, the World Intellectual Property Organization set up an “Innovation Division”, headed by US patent lawyers, including a top Silicon Valley attorney and a top lawyer for a giant non-practising entity (“patent troll”). WIPO has been rather secretive about it, offering no interviews to Intellectual Property Watch with the officials heading the division despite repeated requests. Now a letter from US industry groups raises concern that the division may be headed for a budget cut that would effectively eliminate it.
Crowdfunded Contest: What Should Future Of Copyright Law Look Like? 03/07/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch 9 Comments The Modern Poland Foundation, a non-profit and access to knowledge advocate, is asking people around the globe to participate in a crowdfunded contest that poses the question: What should a good copyright system look like?
Special Feature: A Look At Product Development Partnerships And Innovation For Neglected Diseases 03/07/2013 by Tiphaine Nunzia Caulier for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment An analysis of available information indicates that research-oriented product development partnerships (PDPs) are seen as providing a better approach to neglected diseases than most other public-private partnerships. Yet, in spite of many positive results, PDPs still have a limited impact in developing countries.
Equal Innovation Seen As Critical To Economic Growth, Achievement Of UN MDGs 02/07/2013 by Brittany Ngo for Intellectual Property Watch and Caitlin McGivern for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Slow and uneven economic growth was the main concern echoed by panellists participating in this morning’s high-level policy dialogue at the 2013 United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Substantive Session. Representatives from various intergovernmental agencies shared their perspectives on the status of the global economy with respect to innovation and the 2015 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
MSF: Prices On Latest ARV Drugs Under Patent Too High 02/07/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The price of first- and second-line anti-retrovirals (ARVs) have declined due to increased generic competition, while third-line regimens remain “exorbitantly priced,” according to the latest edition of a publication from Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF).
Global Innovation Index: Most Innovative Keep Top Spots 01/07/2013 by Brittany Ngo for Intellectual Property Watch and Caitlin McGivern for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Innovation is a main focus of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) substantive session taking place in Geneva this week. Today, at the ECOSOC opening session, the 2013 Global Innovation Index (GII) was launched, which ranked Switzerland, Sweden, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and the United States as the top five most innovative countries in the world.
How The Main Issues Of The Marrakesh Treaty For The Blind Were Solved In The Nick Of Time 01/07/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 4 Comments It is no secret that the negotiations were arduous leading up to the Marrakesh treaty on exceptions and limitations to copyright for the blind, to the point where there were doubts halfway through the 17-28 June diplomatic conference that consensus could be reached. Unanimous credit was given to the facilitator of informal discussions between parties, Martin Moscoso, director of the Copyright Office of Peru (INDECOPI). During the week, tensions were high, as some contentious issues were still unresolved. Intellectual Property Watch asked Moscoso what tipped the balance between a text with a large number of open issues to a clean text with no brackets.
Over 50 Countries Sign Marrakesh Treaty On Copyright Exceptions And Limitations For The Blind 01/07/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 6 Comments Marrakesh, Morocco – The 28 June signing of the new international treaty to improve access to published materials for the visually impaired brought relief to the beneficiaries and satisfaction to delegations. But some underlined the need to sign and ratify the new treaty.
Stevie Wonder In Marrakesh: Today Is A Very Good Day, Now Go Ratify The Treaty! 28/06/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Marrakesh, Morocco – True to what he said in a 21 June video message, world-famous blind songwriter and performer Stevie Wonder kept his promise to come to Marrakesh if delegates agreed on a treaty to improve access to published material for blind people.
In Aftermath Of Treaty Adoption, Civil Society, Industry Reflect On Outcome 28/06/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Hours after the adoption of the World Intellectual Property Organization Marrakesh treaty expected to facilitate access to special format books for visually impaired people, a range of stakeholders gathered for a stocktaking exercise on the treaty.