Questions Arise Over EU Draft Regulation To Implement Nagoya Protocol 03/07/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The European Commission has prepared a draft regulation to implement an international protocol to prevent biopiracy, leading two non-governmental organisations to publish an opinion piece voicing concerns about it. The European Parliament is scheduled to review the draft on 4 July. A key concern is whether it would cover non-European genetic resources already in European collections.
Harvard Professor A Flag Bearer For Agricultural Innovation, Biotechnologies In Africa 21/06/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments A Harvard University professor known for advancing global development issues hails the merits of agricultural innovation, including biotechnologies, as the unique solution to food security.
Protection Of Local GI Products Can Benefit Women, Speakers Say 04/06/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Geographical indications, a European invention, have attracted interest in a number of developing countries. According to several speakers at a recent industry conference on the subject, GIs can provide economic sustainability for rural families. In Africa, two cases were provided to illustrate the role of the valorisation of a particular resource and the ancestral know-how of women, promoting their social and financial autonomy.
Food Culture Clash: EU, US Conflicting Concepts For GIs; Both Covet Asian Market 29/05/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Geographical indications were born in Europe and still remain a widely used means to protect products from a particular region, with particular characteristics. The European Union has been a strong advocate of GIs in international negotiations, while their efforts have been countered by countries such as the United States which favour a trademark system. Now both sides are trying to impose their views through bilateral trade agreements, including with each other, according to speakers at a recent conference. And now a US trade association for generic names is raising concerns in Europe.
GIs The “Darling” of Europe, But Protection A Challenge For All, Producers Say 28/05/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Bordeaux – The challenges for geographical indications in the 21st century were explored at a recent conference co-organised by two organisations promoting this type of intellectual property protection. Among issues presented were the protection of geographical indications, and the value of geographical indications at the European level.
GI Proponents Assess Progress, Challenges; French Minister Blasts Large-Scale Agriculture 24/05/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Bordeaux, France – In a stronghold of French gastronomy and famous regional products an industry organisation lobbying for the protection of geographical indications chose this week to convene its general assembly and set the goals for future actions.
South Africa To Launch National Traditional Knowledge Recording System 10/05/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 5 Comments While diplomats are trying to find consensus on an international instrument to protect traditional knowledge at the World Intellectual Property Organization, some countries are establishing systems to protect their traditional knowledge domestically. South Africa will be launching on 24 May its National Recordal System to catalogue its indigenous knowledge.
GIs Closer To International Status As WIPO Committee Recommends Treaty Negotiation 03/05/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Geographical indications might rise to the same status as appellations of origin in a World Intellectual Property Organization treaty, which member states are seeking to amend in order to attract wider membership. After a week of negotiations on a draft revised treaty, member states have decided to recommend the convening of a high-level negotiating meeting in 2015 to approve the revision of the current instrument.
GIs Rub Against Trademark Protection In WIPO Discussions On Protection 02/05/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments Cognac, porto and tequila are appellations of origin protected under an international agreement managed by the World Intellectual Property Organization. Members of this agreement are seeking to modify it so it attracts a wider membership, in particular by including geographical indications. The exercise, however, is a complicated one as the new agreement has to be in tune with other international agreements, notably the World Trade Organization agreement on intellectual property.
UNCTAD Handbook: IP And The CBD Protocol On Genetic Resources 30/04/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The Nagoya Protocol, adopted under the Convention on Biological Diversity, provides a set of rules to prevent misappropriation of genetic resources. As such, it crosses paths with the international intellectual property system. This interface is the subject of a handbook to be published by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.