WIPO Development And IP Committee Approves, Extends Projects Kicking Off New Era 25/05/2017 by Elise De Geyter for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The World Intellectual Property Organization Committee on Development and IP (CDIP) last week approved and extended a project implementing the WIPO Development Agenda in the areas of design protection, and a “game-changer” IP management and technology transfer project, and a conference for least-developed countries on copyright.
Antimicrobial Resistance Needs New R&D Models, NGOs Say 24/05/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment A group of non-governmental organisations organised a side event to the World Health Assembly to discuss the growing issue of antimicrobial resistance, the way to incentivise research and development for new antibiotics, and the imperative of affordability and accessibility of new products. The speakers mentioned alternative models, such as delinking the cost of research from the price of the medicines, underlined the high prices of vaccines, and the importance of systems of infection prevention and control.
WIPO Committee On Development Outcome Hailed As Most Positive In Years 20/05/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment After years of mostly discontented discussions at the World Intellectual Property Organization committee on IP and development, last week proved positive, with a 10 year political knot solved, an international conference, and a new project approved, as well as a number of recommendations to implement the 2007 WIPO Development Agenda.
WIPO And The SDGs: Differing Views At Committee On IP And Development 19/05/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments The World Intellectual Property Organization, as a United Nations specialised agency, has a role to play in the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for the year 2030. How that might happen, and which goals the organisation should pursue are a matter of ongoing discussion at the WIPO Committee on Development and Intellectual Property this week. Views diverge on whether the 17 SDGs should be considered as a whole, of if the organisation should focus on what is considered as its particular expertise and mission.
International IP Treaties Bring Tension in Africa’s Homegrown Knowledge Governance 15/05/2017 by Munyaradzi Makoni for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment CAPE TOWN, South Africa — The belief that intellectual property promotes foreign direct investment and international trade has brought tension in African countries’ ability to eliminate trade barriers, and to ensure local governments are able to develop policies that respond to local needs, according to an extensive new analysis.
WHO, Stakeholders Take ‘First Step’ On Fair Pricing For Medicines 12/05/2017 by Catherine Saez and William New, Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments The World Health Organization has concluded a major one-day forum on fair pricing of medicines, bringing a wide range of stakeholders together in Amsterdam and coming up with several possible actions for the way ahead. Key points of discussion included a definition of fair pricing, moving away from value-based pricing, delinkage of price from research and development costs, and greater transparency, according to participants.
WHO Studies On Local Pharma Production Provide Key Contrasts Between China, India 11/05/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Two new studies published by the World Health Organization provide insight on the production of pharmaceutical products in India and China. According to the studies, China has a substantial local pharmaceutical manufacturing sector which the Chinese government is closely linking to its policy objective of universal health care. India, the main global provider of generic medicines is not pursuing a comparable focus on universal health care. India is increasingly faced with Chinese pharmaceutical sector competition, with China being its main provider of commoditized active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).
Winners Of Ideas4Change For UN Sustainable Development Goals 26/04/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Inventions to contribute to the 2030 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals have been rewarded. A reactor which converts carbon dioxide into ethanol, a method for the detection of pesticides and contaminants in food, and renewable leather created from bacteria won the heart of the jury.
G20 IT Ministers Want Access For All, Commit To Conflicting Objectives 07/04/2017 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The Group of 20 (G20) ministers responsible for the digital economy today called for further efforts to advance access to the internet for everyone and close the digital gaps that still exist. Gathered in Dusseldorf, Germany, for the two-day IT related preparatory conference for the G20 Summit in Hamburg in July, the ministers signed a declaration on “Shaping the Digitalisation for an Interconnected World.” It was the first time that ministers for digital economy met in the G20 format.
UNCTAD Electronic Commerce Week: Exploring How All Can Benefit 06/04/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Later this month, the third edition of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development week dedicated to electronic commerce will take place. With a value estimated at US$22 trillion globally, e-commerce is booming for business, but mostly still escaping developing countries.