UNCTAD: IPRs In Health, Research, Cosmetics, Meet Access & Benefit Sharing 29/04/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The interactions between intellectual property and international rules of global access and benefit sharing were explored recently as an expert group meeting was convened by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) to explore several areas where those interactions occur.
New WIPO Text On Traditional Knowledge Protection Cleaner But Issues Remain 28/04/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 5 Comments The main goal has been achieved for World Intellectual Property Organization delegates who started last week with the task of improving a document to become an international instrument protecting traditional knowledge. Consensus has not been met on core issues, but a cleaner text has emerged, reflecting a clearer understanding of positions, sources said.
Industry List Of Potential US GIs Released Ahead Of WIPO Meeting 27/04/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A producers’ group lobbying in favour of geographical indications has issued a preliminary list of candidate GIs in the United States. The list, released just prior to a World Intellectual Property Organization negotiation on a possible instrument on GIs, takes a particular look at American wines.
In “Great Shame,” WIPO Fund For Indigenous Peoples’ Participation Running Dry 26/04/2013 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments The participation of indigenous peoples at the United Nations World Intellectual Property Organization has become compromised as the funds allowing the organisation to invite indigenous peoples representatives is running dry. At the outset of this week’s WIPO committee seeking to produce an international instrument providing protection to traditional knowledge, an indigenous panel mapped out international agreements recognising their specific rights.
WIPO Committee Issues Revised Text On Traditional Knowledge Protection 24/04/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment After an intense day of drafting led by member country experts in small groups in closed rooms, the World Intellectual Property Organization secretariat released a new set of draft articles of what could become an international instrument aimed at protecting traditional knowledge.
Protecting Traditional Knowledge: WIPO Members Back To The Drafting Table 22/04/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment World Intellectual Property Organization delegates are meeting once again this week to try to advance a text that could become an international instrument to protect traditional knowledge. Substantial work needs to be done on the draft text, ands developing countries generally favour a legal binding instrument while developed countries would prefer a softer instrument.
New Draft Traditional Knowledge Bill Published In South Africa 10/04/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments An alternative South African bill on the protection of traditional knowledge has been published in the official Government Gazette, and it would create a new system of intellectual property right specific to TK, according to South Africa experts.
WIPO Hails India’s Accession To Trademark System; India Advocates Balance 09/04/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment A full room of country delegates and ambassadors gathered yesterday to celebrate the accession of India to the Madrid Protocol for the International Registration of Marks at the World Intellectual Property Organization. However, beyond the joy of accession, the recent decision of the Indian Supreme Court on a Novartis drug patent loomed in the room.
African Regional Plant Variety Protection Draft Legislation Raises Protest 05/04/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment A draft protocol for the protection of new varieties of plants proposed by an inter-governmental African regional economic community is provoking the ire of civil society concerned about the potential impact of the protocol on small farmers, and the lack of consultation of farmers.
Linguistic Diversity Essential For Innovation, Development, Roundtable Speakers Say 04/04/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Multilingualism not only expands cultural horizons but also provides a tool for innovation, speakers gathered at an international roundtable yesterday said. However, language uniformity is a tempting road taken by many – often for cost-related reasons – while multilingualism should be promoted as a factor in development, they said.