Latest WTO Ministerial Draft Urges Discussions On IP Issues To Intensify, Adds Review Date 18/12/2005 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Hong Kong–The latest draft text from the World Trade Organization ministerial released today urges consultations on certain key intellectual property rights issues “to intensify” and adds a date for reviews of progress. The text is an update of a draft issued at the ongoing WTO ministerial in Hong Kong during the afternoon of 17 December […]
Non-Violation Complaint Moratorium Extended In Latest Hong Kong Draft 18/12/2005 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Hong Kong–The 17 December draft of the ministerial text at the ongoing World Trade Organization (WTO) meeting extends a freeze preventing WTO members from complaining about other members’ intellectual property rights practices even when they are not violating WTO rules. There were no other significant changes to the draft text related to intellectual property rights. […]
Peru Attempts Strong WTO Position On Disclosure Despite Weaker US Deal 17/12/2005 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen and William New Hong Kong – Peru appears to be taking a strong position in World Trade Organization negotiations in favour of the disclosure of origin of genetic material and traditional knowledge in patent applications despite having agreed to weaker terms in a bilateral trade deal with the United States […]
CBD Issues Subject Of Tough Negotiations At WTO 16/12/2005 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Hong Kong–Countries pushing for the launch of negotiations on the protection of biodiversity and traditional knowledge have been engaged in tough talks at the World Trade Organization ministerial in Hong Kong today. The countries, led by India and Brazil, are working to get language on the issue included in the text expected at the conclusion […]
India, Brazil Tie Biodiversity Negotiations To Doha Development Package 15/12/2005 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments Hong Kong – At the World Trade Organization ministerial here, India has proposed the launch of negotiations on the disclosure of origin of material in patent applications, and says that if this issue is not addressed, there will be no development package in the outcome of the current round of trade talks at the WTO. […]
US-Peru Deal Includes First-Ever Traditional Knowledge Provisions 09/12/2005 by Martin Vaughan for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By Martin Vaughan for Intellectual Property Watch Washington, DC-In a bilateral free-trade agreement struck this week with Peru, the United States for the first time agreed to language relating to traditional knowledge, according to a Peruvian government source. The language, which appears in a side letter to the overall agreement, apparently stresses the importance of […]
US, Andean Nations Narrow Differences On IP In Trade Talks 02/12/2005 by Martin Vaughan for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment By Martin Vaughan for Intellectual Property Watch Andean countries in late November narrowed differences with the United States over intellectual property protections in negotiations over a US-Andean bilateral free trade agreement, but divisions over market access for agriculture have likely delayed a final agreement until next year, at least for Colombia and Ecuador. Peruvian and […]
LDCs Agree To Shorter Extension For TRIPS Implementation 29/11/2005 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Least-developed members of the World Trade Organization on 29 November agreed to extend the transition period for implementing the WTO agreement on intellectual property rights by seven and a half years, a reduction by half of their original request. In addition, least developed countries agreed not to roll back on their commitments, and to individual […]
TRIPS Council To Resume Talks On 29 November 25/11/2005 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The World Trade Organization next week will reconvene a suspended meeting on unresolved intellectual property issues that sources say have moved little in the final weeks before the 13-18 December ministerial in Hong Kong. The 29 November meeting will consider agenda items related to the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) […]
US ‘Pulls Out All Stops’ As UNESCO Backs Culture Treaty 17/10/2005 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Paris—The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) today approved a treaty for the protection of cultural diversity despite an all-out drive by the United States to get governments to change their minds. “We really pulled out all the stops” in the past week to try to change the outcome of this treaty, a US […]