UNCTAD Report Sees Sustainable African Growth In IP Flexibilities 15/06/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The United Nations agency on trade and development this week published its Economic Development in Africa 2012 report, which argued, among other things, that the region’s sustainable future depends on using flexibilities in intellectual property rights as appropriate.
Plant Patentability Questions Deepen In EPO Tomato Patent Case 13/06/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch 30 Comments While the Enlarged Board of Appeal of the European Patent Office is reviewing the so-called “tomato case,” collateral questions are being raised about the consequences on plant innovation of the non-patentability of some processes.
Promotion: Upcoming Courses And Events Provide Insights Into IP 11/06/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Informa has announced a range of upcoming events and courses on the essential aspects of intellectual property and technology of interest to Intellectual Property Watch readers. Here is the list: Events: IP Dispute Resolution – 28 – 29 June 2012, Grange City Hotel, London, UK European Trademarks 2012 – 3rd July 2012, Grange City Hotel, London, UK Protecting Corporate Information – 5th July 2012, One Drummond Gate, London, UK IT Law Summer School 2012 – 30 July – 3 August 2012, Downing College, Cambridge, UK IP Summer School – 13 – 17 August 2012, Downing College, Cambridge, UK Distance Learning Courses: Computer and Communications Law LLM, PgDip – from Queen Mary, University of London UK, EU & US Copyright Law LLM, PgDip – from King’s College London
Upcoming Event: 5th Product And Pipeline Enhancement For Generics 06/06/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A conference entitled the “5th Product and Pipeline Enhancement for Generics” to be held in Washington, DC on 17-19 July will feature industry leaders in the generic, branded pharmaceutical and API industries. Issues covered will include current and upcoming changes in regulations and the market, innovation in drug pipeline, portfolio management and business development, intellectual property protection and biosimilars.
European Nuclear Lab CERN Launches New “Easy IP” Plan 04/06/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments Does the idea of a multifunctional, versatile position-sensitive detector for measuring characteristics of a beam of particles spark ideas for useful products of benefit to society and the economy? If so, then CERN has just the thing for you. In an attempt to boost the utility of its research, the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), the Geneva-based intergovernmental laboratory, today announced a plan to offer its patented technologies for licence royalty-free in order to promote innovation.
World Health Assembly: WHO Carves Out Leadership Role In “Vaccine Decade” 28/05/2012 by Rachel Marusak Hermann, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment With a generous pledge and a grand vision, Bill Gates launched the “Decade of Vaccines” two years ago. By endorsing a “Global Vaccine Action Plan” during the World Health Assembly, the world’s health authority stands as the lead agency in advancing the initiative.
World Health Assembly: Member States Call For Acceleration On Pandemic Flu Preparedness 26/05/2012 by Rachel Marusak Hermann, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment One year since the adoption of the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Framework, member states emphasised the importance of bio-sharing initiative and in some in cases raised concerns about the pace of implementation.
World Health Assembly: Agreement Reached On Neglected Disease R&D Process, But No Convention 25/05/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 8 Comments A proposal at this week’s World Health Assembly to negotiate a binding convention on research and development for neglected diseases – those predominantly afflicting poor populations – ran into resistance from developed countries which hold the view that another approach might be possible. But an agreement was reached on a way forward for the expert report that recommended the binding convention.
World Health Assembly: Latest Texts Of R&D Drafting Group 25/05/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The latest available documents of the closed-door meeting addressing recommendations on ways to finance neglected diseases largely afflicting developing countries show progress heading into this afternoon’s session. They reflect efforts to agree on how to take the process forward, including agreement reached last night on putting the issue to regional groups later this year.
World Health Assembly: R&D Drafting Group Documents Show Country Differences 24/05/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment A set of documents in use by today’s closed-door negotiations on research and development for neglected diseases at the World Health Assembly lay out the core differences between WHO members. Negotiations are expected to last into the night as members try to agree on how to take forward recommendations from a key report – including to negotiate a binding convention on R&D for diseases left behind in the marketplace.