Does Introduction Of A Utility Model Protection Regime Make Sense In India? 13/07/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments India has at least seven diverse intellectual property (IP) legislations related to protection already in place. Its focus should therefore arguably be directed – along the lines of many other IP jurisdictions – on more stringent enforcement modus operandi of the IP rights. Is there scope for introducing yet another IP legislation – the utility model protection law – in the Indian IP landscape and if so, what should be its scope and implication, asks Swarup Kumar.
Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement: Did US Move Threaten Public Health? 12/07/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments Civil society groups say a leaked document from regional free trade negotiations between countries bordering the Pacific Ocean shows the United States favouring giant pharmaceutical companies at the expense of public health. Separately, the tobacco industry is allegedly also trying to push for a clause to prevent plain packaging.
Medicines Patent Pool Boosts HIV Drug Prospects With First Licence 12/07/2011 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 4 Comments The Medicines Patent Pool and pharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences today announced a breakthrough licence agreement to allow for the production of key HIV medicines at lower cost and in an easier-to-use formulation, making them more accessible to developing countries. The agreement also opens up the use of treatments for Hepatitis B for the first time.
WIPO Ventures Into Global Debate On Climate Change 08/07/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The World Intellectual Property Organization is continuing its push to become involved in some of the biggest policy questions of the day with an international conference on climate change next week. This follows recent efforts on public health and food security.
UN Body Addresses Problems With IP Rights Within Europe 08/07/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) is holding a two-day meeting to increase awareness of intellectual property rights throughout the region.
Non-Communicable Diseases Issue Energises Public Health Policymakers 07/07/2011 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Concern over non-communicable diseases – traditionally a more developed-country set of problems like diabetes – is energising the international public health policy community. But representatives of the public interest are still grappling with their response.
CERN Issues Open Hardware Licence For Electronic Designs 07/07/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The European Organisaton for Nuclear Research (CERN) today issued an open hardware licence for electronic designs, following its principle of “open science.”
UNAIDS Praises India’s Vow Not To Negotiate Away Generics 06/07/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) today praised the commitment made by India’s Commerce Minister not to negotiate stronger intellectual property rights provisions that could undermine India’s global leadership in the production of affordable generic AIDS drugs.
WHO Expert Group Sifts Ideas For A New Global Drug R&D Mechanism 05/07/2011 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment A diverse team of global experts on public health research and development will meet this week behind closed doors to analyse proposals for ways to fund R&D on diseases afflicting poor populations – and for who should coordinate such global efforts.
OECD Faces Concerns Over Its Internet Policy Principles 28/06/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments A high-level meeting of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) is expected to pass a set of “principles on internet policymaking” tomorrow. But over 80 non-governmental groups have announced they will not sign on to the communiqué.