Draft Proposal Calls For Delay Of WHO R&D Treaty Talks 03/05/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments A new draft proposal suggests that World Health Organization members postpone negotiations for a convention on financing of research and development for diseases predominantly afflicting poor populations. The negotiation of a convention is up for discussion by members at the annual World Health Assembly this month.
Confidential Documents Show Tough Staff Choices At Global Fund 27/04/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Once seen as a rising star on the global public health scene, the Geneva-based Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria is in the throes of a top-down reform as it seeks to tailor its efforts to meet new realities, especially reductions in funding. While the new administration works to improve performance, a confidential document obtained by Intellectual Property Watch shows the terms on which departing staff is being asked to separate from the international organisation.
US State Dept. Funds 12 IP Protection Projects Worldwide 25/04/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The United States Department of State has announced its approval of 12 anti-crime projects around the world aimed at intellectual property protection.
Book Offers Timely Insights On IP, Drugs And Public Health In Developing Countries 25/04/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A recent book comes in time for the international policy debates coming to a head over access to medicines, intellectual property rights and public health in developing countries.
The WHO’s Final Sprint Toward An International Convention On R&D 20/04/2012 by Rachel Marusak Hermann, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment An international convention on research and development for neglected diseases has never been so closely within reach. A World Health Organization expert group is recommending the implementation of a legally binding instrument to secure new sources of funding to spur health research in areas where the current system has failed.
Former Senior Staff Say OECD Countries Trying To Stifle UNCTAD’s Work 12/04/2012 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A letter co-signed by 49 former staff members of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development denouncing efforts by some countries to muffle the institution’s voice was released yesterday at a press conference.
Interview With Vladimir Nika: Enforcing IP Rights In Albania 2010 – 2015 12/04/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment In 2010, institutions in Albania created a strategy to help enforce intellectual property rights within five years. Intellectual Property Watch recently conducted a written Q and A with Vladimir Nika, Albanian office director for the Eastern European law firm PETOŠEVIĆ, on the progress and prospects for the Albanian legislature’s implementation of the 2010 IPR enforcement strategy.
Trade And Development With A Dash Of IP: Conference To Set Course For UNCTAD 11/04/2012 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The quadrennial conference of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) sets the course of the UN body work for the next four years. The mandate of the conference has evolved since its creation to become mainly a provider of research, policy analysis and technical assistance to developing countries. This time around, the conference will serve as a wide-ranging forum for trade and development issues, and intellectual property issues will haunt discussions in several areas.
WIPO Seeks To Calm Anxiety About Technical Assistance To North Korea 06/04/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The UN World Intellectual Property Organization has responded to a question about its provision of technical assistance to North Korea, saying it is standard procedure as authorised by its member states hoping to bring developing countries on board the global IP system.
External Review Of WIPO Technical Assistance Stirs Debate 03/04/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Members of the World Intellectual Property Organization are quietly but heatedly discussing how to address an external review of WIPO technical assistance in the lead-up to the next Committee on Development and IP (CDIP) meeting, according to sources. And some are watchful that there not be an effort to bury the substantive and at-times critical review, even as WIPO has issued a lengthy response to it.