UN Biodiversity Negotiators To Work From Single Text On Access, Benefits 24/11/2009 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment For the first time in its history, a working group tasked with negotiating an international regime for access to genetic resources and the sharing of related benefits under the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) has agreed on a single negotiating text. But participants in the process say the text, while a comprehensive compilation of all divergent views on the regime, still has a way to go before becoming a consensus document.
One (Almost) Happy Multi-stakeholder Family At The Annual Internet Governance Forum 24/11/2009 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment If you don’t count China, it was difficult to find people speaking against an extension of the non-decision-making Internet Governance Forum (IGF) of the United Nations at last week’s gathering. An overwhelming majority of the 1,800 participants at the Egyptian tourist destination Sharm El Sheikh seemed to be in favour of the “multi-stakeholder” discussions taking place during the IGF events because they allow for better understanding on overarching issues like human rights and privacy or access problems in developing countries, but also the specialised problems with the internet infrastructure like internationalised domain names and the next generation internet, IPv6.
Delegates Look To April For Consensus On Development Agenda Coordination 20/11/2009 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Informal negotiations appeared to bring the Committee on Development and Intellectual Property within reach of consensus on a coordination mechanism for the Development Agenda early this morning, but this afternoon governments were unable to overcome remaining differences.
WIPO, A (Rare) Profitable UN Agency, Ventures Into World Of Donors 20/11/2009 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The World Intellectual Property Organization has been known to be different from the rest of the United Nations family in that it earns most of its own revenues, and typically operates with a budget surplus. But recognising that it could better meet the needs of its members with additional funds, it now is turning to the international donor community.
WIPO Development Committee Deepens Look At Technology Transfer, Coordination 19/11/2009 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment How to achieve effective technology transfer stirred up discussion this week at the World Intellectual Property Organization Committee on Development and IP (CDIP). Meanwhile, members are conducting informal negotiations to bridge differences over what kind of mechanism is needed to coordinate the Development Agenda as a whole.
Special Report: IP Protection Secondary To Support For Small African Innovators 19/11/2009 by Robinson Esalimba for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Systematic and sustained programmes aimed at identifying and supporting African innovative talent may be a key part of Africa’s technological evolution, according to researchers and young entrepreneurs interviewed by Intellectual Property Watch. In the second part of a two-part series highlighting innovation challenges in Africa, Intellectual Property Watch focuses on harnessing and nurturing African innovation talent.
Library Of Alexandria A Symbol Of Egypt’s Efforts To Lead On Knowledge Access 16/11/2009 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 4 Comments ALEXANDRIA – Dining on fresh fish beneath a golden sunset overlooking the Mediterranean beneath which lie the remains of the ancient Library of Alexandria, the conversation turns to the invention of written language. A light-hearted debate breaks out between an Egyptian and a Syrian over the origins of the first alphabet several thousand years ago, but is left for the time being when the Syrian asserts, “We invented the alphabet, you invented writing.”
Conférence de Copenhague: incertitude sur les droits de propriété intellectuelle 13/11/2009 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment BARCELONE – Les négociations sur le climat se sont achevées le 6 novembre après une semaine de discussions. Malgré les assurances données par la plupart des délégations sur le fait que tout était possible lors de la Conférence de Copenhague sur le changement climatique qui aura lieu en décembre, l’incertitude demeure sur de nombreuses questions qui concernent notamment le financement, la réduction des émissions de gaz à effet de serre, le transfert de technologie et la nature de l’accord qui sera conclu à Copenhague.
Los derechos de PI se encuentran en los bloques de salida hacia Copenhague, pero aún reina incertidumbre en torno al tema 13/11/2009 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment BARCELONA – El 6 de noviembre culminaron las negociaciones sobre el cambio climático que se extendieron durante una semana, y, si bien la mayoría de las delegaciones aseguraron que todo es aún posible en la conferencia sobre cambio climático que se celebrará en diciembre, continúa habiendo incertidumbre en torno a numerosas cuestiones. Entre ellas se incluyen las finanzas, la reducción de emisiones, la transferencia de tecnologías y la naturaleza del acuerdo que se establecerá en Copenhague.
Panel Calls For Disclosure Of Industry Methodology Assessing Losses To Piracy 09/11/2009 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Intellectual property rights enforcement has risen on the global trade and IP agenda, but greater transparency in the evaluation of piracy and counterfeiting and assessments of broader social implications may be needed, according to speakers at a side event last week.