UPOV Sprouts A New Public Face – As Farmers Protest 20/10/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment On the occasion of its 50th anniversary, the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) is trying to dispel its image as a non-transparent organisation and is working on a new user-friendly website with public access to a number of formerly reserved documents. Meanwhile, for the first time farmers protested outside the UPOV building in Geneva, as they seek to preserve the ancient practice of saving seeds from their harvests to use the next year.
UPOV Marks 50 Years; Breeders Seek More Enforcement, Civil Society Wants In 20/10/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment This week the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) is celebrating its 50th anniversary. The Union is often criticised by civil society as being opaque, but plant breeders seem reasonably content with the latest version of the convention. However, some breeders that do not rely on seeds to reproduce their plants are seeking a clarification in the convention to prevent illegal use of their protected varieties.
Trading Knowledge As A Public Good: A Proposal For The WTO 14/10/2011 by Rachel Marusak Hermann, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments Years of deadlock in the Doha Round of trade negotiations at the World Trade Organization (WTO) has prompted some to question the institution’s effectiveness, and even, its relevance. But for others, the stalemate seems to be favourable for new ideas and new ways to think about global trade.
Tech Industry Raises Concern Over Protect IP Act 14/10/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch 4 Comments Several US trade associations representing the high-tech and communications industries raised concerns this week about a bill in Congress that would boost the US government’s ability to take down websites over fears of intellectual property infringement. The tech industry groups said the bill could have a negative impact on the economy and jobs, they said.
US IP Rights Holders Hail New FTAs With Colombia, Panama, Korea 13/10/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Groups representing intellectual property rights holders in the United States are hailing the newly passed bilateral free trade agreements between the US and Colombia, Panama, and South Korea.
Unpunished Human Rights Violations Challenge Right To Food, Activists Say 11/10/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Despite international frameworks and mechanisms to protect food security as a human right, a number of violations are committed in total impunity, according to the third edition of the “Right to Food and Nutrition Watch” issued today, this year with a focus on accountability issues.
With WTO Stalled, GI Industry Proponents Move To Create Their Own Register 10/10/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment An international private-sector network lobbying for the protection of geographical indications is set to establish a compilation of all GIs currently protected in the world in what could seem like a response to the repeated failure of governments to agree on the establishment of a GIs register at the World Trade Organization. The Organization for an International Geographical Indications Network (OriGIn), meeting for its fifth General Assembly, also voiced concerns about the lack of protection of GIs in cyberspace.
South Africa Conference On IP And Innovation 14/09/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment A conference being held in South Africa this week will address the sensitive topic of intellectual property and innovation in the developing country context. On hand will be a top team of developed country experts with a mix of Indian and Chinese specialists.
Pharma Executive To Head Gates’ Global Health Program 14/09/2011 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation today announced that Trevor Mundel has been named president of the foundation’s Global Health Program. Mundel is global head of development for Novartis Pharma in Basel, Switzerland and will start at Gates on 1 December.
WTO Forum Looks At 21st Century Trade Challenges 13/09/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The theme of this year’s World Trade Organization Public Forum, to be held at the organization’s headquarters in Geneva from 19-21 September, is “Seeking Answers to Global Trade Challenges.” Recognizing the widening gap between existing trade rules and the realities of the 21st century, the forum focus is on ensuring that WTO policy keeps pace with today’s fast changing world.