Reports On WTO IP Negotiations Released 09/06/2008 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment By Kaitlin Mara The World Trade Organization on Monday released two reports on the state of play in negotiations on a register for geographical indications (GIs) – product names associated with places and characteristics – as well as the possible extension of the stricter protections for wines and spirits GIs to other goods, in tandem […]
Latest Available Text Of The CBD Decision On Access And Benefit-Sharing 05/06/2008 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Note: the final decisions of convention on biological diversity governing body are available here. A decision on a way forward on a global access and benefit-sharing regime was reached at a meeting of the parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity from 19 to 30 May in Bonn. The main body of the document describes steps needed to reach international consensus on the content of such a regime. Annex I of the document sets out a draft text for the international regime, and annex II contains terms of reference for expert technical and legal groups whose creation is mandated by the main text.
“Great Achievement” On IP Issues At Convention On Biological Diversity Summit 30/05/2008 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment By Kaitlin Mara Government negotiators meeting in Bonn this week reached breakthroughs on two intellectual property-related areas of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). At the highest level of the CBD membership, agreement was struck on a way forward on creating a regime to ensure equitable access to biodiversity and equitable sharing of […]
Intellectual Property Issues Come To A Head At World Health Assembly 19/05/2008 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment [Note: Monday midday update below] By William New Member governments of the World Health Organization will try this week to finalise a strategy and plan of action to stimulate innovation on diseases disproportionately affecting poor populations. The members also will discuss the WHO’s latest efforts on counterfeit medicines, the impact of intellectual property rights on […]
IP Rights Arise In UN Debate On The Right To Participate In Cultural Life 15/05/2008 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By Catherine Saez Intellectual property rights came into play in a recent discussion on the right of all humans to take part in cultural life organised by the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR). The right to take part in cultural life is an accepted fundamental human right, mentioned in several […]
Proponents: ‘Time Is Now’ For TRIPS Biodiversity Amendment In Doha Round 08/05/2008 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By William New India and other proponents on Wednesday sought to counter concern raised by the World Trade Organization chief that a “clash” could occur if differences are not narrowed on a proposed amendment to WTO intellectual property rules for the protection of genetic resources and traditional knowledge. “There is a groundswell of support for […]
WHO IP And Health Group Concludes With Progress; Tough Issues Remain For Assembly 06/05/2008 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments Note: The latest version of the draft strategy (dated Saturday, 3 May, 14.00h) is now available on the WHO website [click here]. By Kaitlin Mara and William New The World Health Organization (WHO) negotiations on public health, intellectual property and innovation ended Saturday with substantial progress toward consensus on a draft strategy but with a […]
WHO Members Inch Toward Consensus On IP, Innovation And Public Health 02/05/2008 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment By Kaitlin Mara and William New Members of the World Health Organization (WHO) gathered this week to address innovation and intellectual property issues in public health saw hope for agreement on a strategy paper focused on the needs of developing countries, particularly on neglected diseases. But with two days remaining in the negotiations, difficult issues […]
Further Resolution Needed To Keep IP Issues In WTO Negotiations 18/04/2008 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By Kaitlin Mara Intellectual property rights issues on the table in the newly invigorated World Trade Organization negotiations are at risk if remaining deep differences cannot be further narrowed in the coming weeks, WTO Director General Pascal Lamy said Thursday. “I have called for continued consultations between the groups of members concerned to resolve this, […]
Innovative Partnership To Create Another Patent-Free Malaria Drug 17/04/2008 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment By Catherine Saez After an innovative partnership between a non-governmental group and a pharmaceutical company led to a new cheap non-patented drug against malaria being available in Africa in 2007, the model is being implemented again with another new non-patented anti-malarial drug being delivered to South American patients. The Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi), […]