Proponents Seek To Develop Policy Potential Of US Geographical Indications 31/03/2010 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Advocates of stronger protection of geographical indications are working to develop greater awareness in Geneva policy circles, trying to win over countries reluctant to adopt a specific GI protection system.
EU To Request Publication Of ACTA Documents To Stop “Rumours”; Civil Society Meeting Planned 22/03/2010 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Europe will request the publication of the current drafts for the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) at the next ACTA negotiating meeting in New Zealand in April, EU trade official Luc Devigne said today. Speaking at the third EU stakeholder meeting on the hotly debated ACTA today in Brussels, Devigne also said there is also a meeting with civil society planned to take place alongside the New Zealand round.
Influential EU Industry Group Urges Stronger IP Focus In Trade Relations 18/03/2010 by David Cronin for Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments Greater emphasis should be placed on intellectual property issues in the European Union’s trade relations with developing countries, a leading employers group has recommended.
European Broadcasters Call For Easier Copyright Clearance For Online Content 17/03/2010 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment European Union copyright law needs to be amended so that the clearance of copyrights is simplified for online content, the European Broadcasting Union said today. The group presented the results of an analysis it conducted today at the European Parliament in Brussels.
Indian Civil Society Raises Concerns Over US Industry-Sponsored IP Summits 11/03/2010 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments Public interest groups in India are raising questions over annual summits involving Indian judges and policymakers that are being funded by major western industry groups, in particular pharmaceutical companies. At this year’s summit, held recently, a section of India’s patent law which prevents the extension of monopoly power for incremental innovations came under attack, the groups have said.
New US Senate Patent Reform Bill Brings Many Reactions 11/03/2010 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Reactions have emerged since last week’s release by United States Senate Judiciary Committee bipartisan leaders of details of compromise legislation to reform of US patent laws. Most are generally positive, signalling that a long-sought compromise might be near, but strong reservations remain among some stakeholders.
Google, ITU Address Policies Of Global Internet Freedom 09/03/2010 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch 5 Comments A representative of Google and of the United Nations International Telecommunication Union today spoke of internet freedom in repressive regimes and censorship in Western democracies.
US Business Calls For IP Enforcement “Surge”, Seeks New Legislation This Year 18/02/2010 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The United States’ largest industry association today laid out an aggressive legislative agenda on intellectual property, calling for a dramatic increase in enforcement activities including pumped up customs and border authority.
Advisory Group: ‘Near Perfect Storm’ Coming On Gene Patents In The US 10/02/2010 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments A report by a United States health department advisory group issued last week presents recommendations aimed at preventing patents on genes and licensing practices in the US from negatively impacting patient access to genetic tests that would allow them to establish their genetic dispositions to declare potential illnesses.
Year Ahead: Biotech And Patentability Under Debate In The US, EU 09/02/2010 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Biotechnology lies at the intersection of a wide spectrum of fields, such as agriculture, health and environment. Because biotechnology relates to life sciences, it is often the subject of ethical, sometimes intense political debates between stakeholders, in particular involving intellectual property rights. In 2010, as the first signs of global economic recovery are emerging, the debates are expected to increase.