KhoiSan Dig For Indigenous Knowledge Rights In Climate Change Mitigation Practices 01/09/2015 by Munyaradzi Makoni for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – A project to assess the impact of climate change on KhoiSan communities and the production of local level decision-making in rural communities is expected to contribute towards the guidelines and protections for indigenous knowledge holders under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), according to the project leader.
South African Government Conference Reveals Views On Draft Copyright Bill 28/08/2015 by Linda Daniels for Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA — Stakeholders from various positions of influence in the realm of intellectual property – including government – put a fine tooth comb through the South African Copyright Amendment Bill at a consultative conference called by the Department of Trade and Industry yesterday.
Review Of WIPO Development Agenda Implementation Picks Up Pace 26/08/2015 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments An independent review of the World Intellectual Property Organization’s implementation of its 2007 Development Agenda Recommendations is progressing. A team of experts conducting the review, appointed by WIPO in May, just submitted their inception report to WIPO.
WIPO Launches Development Agenda Project In Uganda 25/08/2015 by Hillary Muheebwa for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment KAMPALA, UGANDA – The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has launched a Development Agenda program in Uganda, aimed at building capacity in the use of appropriate technology, specific technical and scientific information to address development challenges in the country.
NGOs Call Out Switzerland For Pressuring Colombia On Compulsory Licences; Switzerland Replies 24/08/2015 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Civil society groups are calling on the Swiss government to refrain from putting pressure on developing countries wishing to manufacture generic medicines without the consent of the patent holder. The groups allege that the Swiss government tried to unduly influence Colombia to not take such a step, though it is permitted by international trade rules. The Swiss government, for its part, says it participated in a public consultation in Colombia and merely underlined that negotiations between governments and original manufacturers are a better way to go than a compulsory licence.
India’s Lead Role In South-South Cooperation For Environmental Diplomacy 19/08/2015 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment India can play a leadership role to inspire developing countries in environmental policy-making, according to a new paper. Using its experience, India should further enhance South-South cooperation through an action plan including the establishment of a cooperation platform focussing on issues such as climate change, traditional knowledge, innovation, and intellectual property rights.
Five Reasons Why TPP Countries Should Unite To Oppose The US Pharmaceutical IP Agenda 18/08/2015 by Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments Failure to reach agreement over expanded intellectual property (IP) protections for medicines has proven to be a stumbling block to completion of the 12-country Trans Pacific Partnership negotiations. As expected, the US is continuing to pressure negotiating partners to adopt broader and longer monopoly protections for medicines. But the risks for their health systems are very high – and will be much higher if they don’t stick together in rejecting the US demands.
Ecuador, BRICS Moving Away From International Investment Dispute Regime, Paper Says 18/08/2015 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment As part of a series of publications on investment treaties and investor-state dispute settlement, a developing country multilateral organisation released a policy brief focusing on Ecuador’s experience and action against the current dispute settlement system.
WIPO Patent Committee Agrees On Future Work, After Uncertainty 01/08/2015 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The World Intellectual Property Organization patent law committee today agreed on work programme going forward that includes a balance of North-South issues such as patent quality, patents and health, client-attorney privilege, technology transfer, and exceptions to patents. Agreement on the work program was difficult despite a comparatively fast-moving week of progress on these same areas of work.
IP-Watch Seeks Part-Time Fundraising/Outreach Expert 31/07/2015 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Intellectual Property Watch is seeking a dynamic person to help expand our fundraising and outreach activities. [Position closed]