European Cooperation Against Counterfeits Online: Sporting Goods Industry Joins Team 22/09/2016 by Alexandra Nightingale for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The Federation of the European Sporting Goods Industry (FESI) and the European Commission recently signed a memorandum of understanding that sets out to “establish a code of practice in the fight against the sale of counterfeit goods over the internet and to enhance collaboration between the signatories.”
Leaks Show TISA No Easy Trade Deal; Civil Rights Groups, Unions Alarmed 20/09/2016 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Greenpeace, European Digital Rights, Public Services International and the International Transport Worker’s Federation today presented a collection of leaked papers on the Trade in Services Agreement (TISA). As negotiators from a dozen countries currently gathered in Geneva for officially the 20th round to close the deal on better trans-border service trading, the civil rights activists and trade union representatives warned that TISA partners would commit to give up their options to regulate in the public interest through a secret deal.
Changes In Music Listening: Survey Finds Streaming Improves; Stream Ripping The New Infringement 16/09/2016 by Alexandra Nightingale for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Industry research on music consumer behaviour has found changes in practices of accessing and listening to music. It has been found that, whilst paid audio streaming services grew, copyright infringement remains a significant problem. Next up? Stream ripping.
MSF Report Calls On Governments To Repair, Remodel Biomedical R&D 15/09/2016 by Alexandra Nightingale for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Governments are urged to do more to promote the development of desperately-needed new medicines, vaccines, and diagnostics at affordable prices and address the failures of research and development (R&D) in a new report by Médecins Sans Frontières.
Survey Finds Promising Future, Major Challenges For Augmented And Virtual Reality 13/09/2016 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Optimism is said to exist about the future of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) following a survey completed by over 650 respondents in the industry. Though growth and investment are anticipated, concerns about a lack of compelling content and cost and issues with the user experience were among the survey’s key findings. Legal risks were identified as well, with the highest percentage relating to technology and intellectual property licensing.
US Copyright Office Charged With Industry Bias 08/09/2016 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The United States Copyright Office systematically hires officials from the copyright industries it serves and oversees, while excluding experts with other views, a public interest group has charged. Image Credits: US Copyright Office
Updated List Of Geneva Delegates Responsible For IP 29/07/2016 by Intellectual Property Watch, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment There are many, many committees, councils, panels, meetings, receptions, conferences, assemblies – not to mention countless private lunches, coffees and other contacts – during the year in Geneva that address policy issues related to intellectual property, innovation, research & development and the like. Intellectual Property Watch provides an indispensable, up-to-date list of who you need to talk to when you want to get the message across or follow the action.
Summer Changes Make A Splash In The IP Community 28/07/2016 by Catherine Saez and Alexandra Nightingale for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Over the summer months, people in the intellectual property world continue to circulate. UNITAID has changed heads, and other well-known figures in Geneva set off to new horizons. And no rest it seems for law offices, which maintained their usual level of moves between firms. Here is the latest on People in the IP community.
Libraries, Groups Welcome WIPO Copyright Appointment, With Hope 28/07/2016 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment A range of highly active groups at the World Intellectual Property Organization representing libraries, archives, and digital civil liberties this week welcomed the appointment of a copyright industry lobbyist to lead WIPO copyright issues. But they have voiced their hope that the appointee, Sylvie Forbin of France, will quickly show leadership on the promotion and support of the cultural heritage sector as it relates to copyright.
Many Hepatitis C Patients Do Not Have Access To Medicines In India, Group Says 27/07/2016 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Despite being the global leader of generic drug manufacturing, access to hepatitis C treatment in India remains out of reach for a large portion of the population, a civil society group has said in a new paper. The authors call for India to work on a national programme of prevention and treatment of hepatitis, and warn against voluntary licences developed by multinational pharmaceutical companies.