Limitations And Exceptions To Patent Rights Discussed In WIPO Committee 04/11/2014 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The World Intellectual Property Organization patent law committee this week is addressing a range of issues including patent quality, technology transfer for medicine production, limitations and exceptions to patents, and the confidentiality of communications between clients and their patent advisors.
WTO Works To Make Vast Store Of TRIPS Information Easier To Use 03/11/2014 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The World Trade Organization is taking steps to make the vast store of information shared by WTO members in the Council on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) easier to use.
Geographical Indications At WIPO: Members Dissent On Participation In Treaty Talks 31/10/2014 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Members of a World Intellectual Property Organization treaty protecting appellations of origins who are seeking to revise that treaty to include geographical indications were opposed this week by several WIPO member states seeking to have a say in the adoption of the revision. The issue has raised a question for WIPO about participation in treaties and agreements.
TRIPS Council Debates: Tobacco Packaging, Non-Violation Disputes, Innovation, Health Waiver, UNCTAD 30/10/2014 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment This week’s meeting of the World Trade Organization body governing intellectual property issues addressed a long agenda, reflecting continued divergence on regular items, such as complaints that do not involve breach of a WTO agreement, a health waiver, and sustained discussions on plain packaging for tobacco products.
European Commission Holds Consultation On Patents And Standards 29/10/2014 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The European Commission Directorate General for Enterprise and Industry is gathering stakeholder input on standardisation and intellectual property rights, in order to assess the current framework on patents and standard and look at how it should evolve. Standard-setting cuts across many organisations at the national, European and international levels. Views are being sought until January 2015.
UK Opens Access To 91 Million Orphan Works, UKIPO Says 29/10/2014 by Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The United Kingdom today launched a new licensing scheme aimed at opening access to more than 91 million creative works whose owners or copyright holders are not known or not found.
First Innovation Fair Hosted At WTO, Draws Diverse Projects With IP In Mind 29/10/2014 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The World Trade Organization hosted an Innovation Fair on 28 October, gathering inventors, supporting agencies, and patent offices. A number of inventions were displayed and explained, from concrete walls to motorisation for bicycles.
Draft Revision To Provide Higher Protection To GIs Fine-Tuned At WIPO 28/10/2014 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The contracting parties of the agreement protecting appellations of origin at the World Intellectual Property Organization are meeting this week to fine-tune a draft revision of this agreement to include geographical indications. The end of the week is scheduled to be devoted to a preparatory committee of a high-level negotiating meeting in 2015 to adopt the revision.
WHO Ebola Vaccine Meeting Draws Commitment From Pharma, Donors; MSF Sees Need For Concrete Actions 24/10/2014 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A high-level meeting convened by the World Health Organization yesterday on the issue of access to and financing of Ebola vaccines resulted in a set of commitments, though not with sufficient urgency for those working on the ground. The pharmaceutical industry committed to scale up production, while donors pledged funds without disclosing how deep their pockets might be.
New To Copyright: Canada’s Idea For Political Advertising Exception 24/10/2014 by Simon Doyle for Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The Canadian Conservative government is considering a new copyright exception for political advertising that would be unique in the world and address an issue already covered by Canada’s constitutional rights, copyright experts said.