Market Failure, Not IP, The Issue In Ebola Treatment Shortage, WHO Says 27/08/2014 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Faced with the worst outbreak of Ebola since its discovery some 40 years ago, the world is scrambling for treatments. A World Health Organization-convened panel of experts has decided it is ethical to use experimental treatments. Why is there no treatment available even after 40 years? Market failure, not intellectual property rights, says the WHO.
World Drug Regulatory Authorities Meet In Brazil; Biosimilars In Focus 26/08/2014 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Drug regulatory authorities are meeting this week in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to discuss global regulatory issues such as vaccine regulation, falsified products, and pharmacovigilance. A “pre-conference” focused on biosimilars, with civil society warning on barriers to access to those products.
The Politicization Of The US Patent System 25/08/2014 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The Washington Post story, How patent reform’s fraught politics have left USPTO still without a boss (July 30), is a vivid account of how patent reform has divided the US economy, preempting a possible replacement for David Kappos who stepped down 18 months ago. The division is even bigger than portrayed. Universities have lined up en masse to oppose reform, while main street businesses that merely use technology argue for reform. Reminiscent of the partisan divide that has paralyzed US politics, this struggle crosses party lines and extends well beyond the usual inter-industry debates. Framed in terms of combating patent trolls through technical legal fixes, there lurks a broader economic concern – to what extent ordinary retailers, bank, restaurants, local banks, motels, realtors, and travel agents should bear the burden of defending against patents as a cost of doing business, writes Brian Kahin.
IP-Watch, DiploFoundation Offer Shared Internship In Geneva 21/08/2014 by Intellectual Property Watch, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Intellectual Property Watch is pleased to announce a joint internship opportunity with the DiploFoundation/Geneva Internet Platform in Geneva, covering events and issues related to internet governance.
IP-Watch Spotlight: WIPO Lex, Database Of Global IP Systems 14/08/2014 by Angela Garcia Medina for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment WIPO Lex is a publicly available online database under the World Intellectual Property Organization providing streamlined access to the intellectual property systems of almost 200 jurisdictions. The database now features over 12,000 legal texts, some 600 treaties and is operational in six languages: English, Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish. Intellectual Property Watch takes a look at this resource.
Australia Eyes Copyright Act Amendment To Curb Downloading 11/08/2014 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The Australian government is seeking to amend its copyright act to address online copyright infringement. To that purpose, a discussion paper has issued for public input until 1 September. In particular, the paper looks at trends in similar nations and proposes measures to dry up business models operating outside of Australia, and to extend the responsibility of internet service providers.
Global Medical Students Call For Shift To Health Over Trade, R&D 08/08/2014 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments Universities Allied for Essential Medicines is calling for new incentive models for research and development so that new treatments can be found for neglected tropical diseases to fight antibiotic resistance, and is asking that health issues supersede trade interests.
Switzerland Continues Work On Changes To Online Copyright Rules 06/08/2014 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 4 Comments Switzerland is considering the “modernisation” of its copyright law to adapt the rights and obligations of various stakeholders to the “realities” of the internet. The country’s generous exception on private use of downloaded material appears to be preserved in the proposed change but internet service providers might feel the pinch.
Legal Analysis Of CJEU Hearing On Spain’s Case Against Unitary Patent 05/08/2014 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A new legal analysis looks at the 1 July oral hearing of the European Court of Justice (CJEU) on Spain’s nullity actions against the regulations on the “unitary patent” and its language regime.
Compulsory Licences Needed For Affordable Hepatitis C Innovative Drug Regimens 05/08/2014 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Compulsory licences should be issued to roll out generic versions of innovative HCV drugs. Only generic competition can push down the extortionate prices of these lifesaving medicines, while placing equitable access and public interest before monopolistic pharma companies’ business strategies, Daniele Dionisio argues.