Formal IP System Does Not Fit Africa, LDCs Need Technological Capacity, Speakers Say 07/10/2014 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments On the last day of the World Trade Organization Public Forum, a panel discussed the relationship between intellectual property and innovation in Africa, in particular in the informal sector. The formal IP system does not seems to fit, and least-developed countries need a sound technological base to be able to use the IP system. Separately, a European Patent Office study shows that Africa has a vast yet untapped potential in renewable energy.
At WTO, Experts Discuss Solutions To Drugs Innovation Crisis; IP Not In The List 03/10/2014 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The Universities Allied for Essential Medicines (UAEM) organised a panel at the World Trade Organization Public Forum this week on new approaches in university management of intellectual property. The panel gathered a diverse panel of experts giving their take on possible solutions to less innovation and higher prices of drugs, and the role of publicly-funded research.
US-India Cooperation Raises Hopes, Concerns 01/10/2014 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments In this week’s highly anticipated visit to the United States by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a number of joint statements have been issued, raising hope for greater cooperation between the two countries, and some concern about the same.
US Cracking Down On Software Patents 01/10/2014 by Steven Seidenberg for Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The US courts are aggressively applying the ruling. So is the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Thanks to their common interpretation of the US Supreme Court’s recent decision in Alice Corp. v. CLS Bank, it is now open season on software patents.
WIPO Amends Patent Cooperation Treaty Fee Schedule 29/09/2014 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment World Intellectual Property Organization members have approved an amendment to the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) aimed at lowering fees for a greater number of users.
Health Advocates Demand U-Turn In EU Trade Policy To Align With Its Health Objectives 29/09/2014 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Health Action International Europe, and Oxfam today issued a briefing paper entitled, “Trading Away Access to Medicines: How the European trade agenda continues to undermine access to medicines.” The paper argues that new concerns such as the ebola virus and the threat of unchecked antimicrobial resistance show the need for a new model for financing pharmaceutical research and development.
Countries Begin Push To Reduce Differences In Patent Laws 26/09/2014 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Some of the leading patent-filing nations this week renewed an effort to harmonise procedures for filing patents in their national offices. Image Credits: Eric Bridiers, US Mission
Patent Landscape For Hepatitis Issued By WHO 26/09/2014 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The World Health Organization has published an analysis of the patent situation for new hepatitis treatments, and a call for possible pharmaceutical products for prequalification.
Rights Owners, Internet Companies Far Apart In Australian Copyright Consultation 23/09/2014 by Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments Responses to an Australian government proposal for fighting online copyright infringement show a wide gap between rights holders and internet companies on liability, and website blocking.
Interview With KIPO Commissioner Kim Young-min 22/09/2014 by Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments South Korea is now considered one of the most influential countries in the IP field. Intellectual Property Watch exchanged a set of questions for Kim Young-min, commissioner of the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) since 2013, speaking about KIPO’s policies for increasing international cooperation, reducing first action pendency, and preventing “bad faith” trademark applicants in Korea from making unfair profits.