Open-Access Journal eLife Publishes First Articles 16/10/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A new open-access journal for science, eLife, has released its first collection of research articles.
Civil Society Network Issues Proposals On Climate Change And IPRs 15/10/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment An international network of civil society groups has issued a set of proposals for governments to encourage innovation and access to key technologies against climate change while taking intellectual property rights into account.
Global Fund Nears Selection Of New Director For Transformed Organisation 15/10/2012 by Rachel Marusak Hermann, Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments The Geneva-based Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria is in the final phases of selecting its next executive director. In the run-up to the decision, the international financing institution is multiplying signs of its good health as it looks to turn a corner after months of major reforms.
UN High-Level Meeting In India On Biodiversity Addresses Access And Benefit-Sharing 12/10/2012 by Patralekha Chatterjee for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment At the ongoing 11th Conference of the Parties (COP11) to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Hyderabad, the hot topic is funds and how to mobilize it. The mega-conference is taking place in the shadow of a global economic slowdown, and delegates gathered at this southern Indian city are most concerned about how to drum up funds to tackle the world’s shrinking biodiversity – the variety of animal and plant life on earth.
No Deal For Now On WIPO Design Treaty, Patent Law Work Plan 08/10/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Members of the World Intellectual Property Organization this week could not agree on a work plan for the WIPO Standing Committee on the Law of Patents (SCP), leading to a likely postponement of the next committee meeting. In addition, the annual WIPO General Assemblies failed to agree to hold a diplomatic conference on a Design Law Treaty, but did agree on an expedited way forward. And the Assemblies took note of the work of the committees on standards and enforcement.
Move Toward New Pan-African IP Organisation Alarms Observers 27/09/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments A seemingly remote African Union proposal to create a Pan-African Intellectual Property Organization appears to have gained momentum and will come before African science and technology ministers for review in early November, according to sources. A copy of the final draft statutes shows how the new body would operate, and for some observers, how it would elevate African IP standards well above current levels, with “disastrous consequences” for access, development, and human rights.
Agricultural Innovation Needed In Africa, With Farmers’ Participation, WTO Panellists Say 26/09/2012 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Farmers’ needs are not addressed by the current intellectual property framework or by innovation, according to panellists at the World Trade Organization Public Forum this week, and farmers should be invited to participate in international negotiations directly impacting their livelihood. Meanwhile, the African continent is seeking a way to address the food security problem, faced with a growing population and dire need to modernise their agriculture, other panellists said.
UN Clears WIPO Shipments To Iran 26/09/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The United Nations Security Council committee on sanctions has cleared the UN World Intellectual Property Organization of wrongdoing in shipping high-tech equipment to Iran.
Q&A With Newly Appointed KIPO Commissioner 24/09/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Ho-Won Kim, the newly appointed commissioner of the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), discussed his views on KIPO’s major policies in a recent exchange with Intellectual Property Watch. He explained the directions KIPO will take on international cooperation, examination pendency periods, and other issues, such as what the international dispute between Samsung Electronics and Apple means for companies worldwide.
UN Sanctions Committee Finds No Violation In WIPO Shipments To North Korea 24/09/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The World Intellectual Property Organization did not violate United Nations sanctions on North Korea when it shipped computers and equipment to the country as technical assistance, a UN sanctions committee has found. It did suggest that WIPO should have consulted the committee before making the shipments, but accepted WIPO’s plan for review and consultation in the future.