Can The Dot Pharmacy New Generic Domain Be Impartial? 21/07/2014 by Catherine Saez and William New, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments New generic top-level domain names seem set to be a constant source of discussions and dissension. The domain “.pharmacy” has been awarded to a United States pharmacy association with industry backing, stirring concerns among civil society and others. But the association insists it will work in an impartial manner to ensure safety of online pharmaceutical sales.
Report: Switzerland Again World’s Most Innovative; North-South Innovation Divide Remains 18/07/2014 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments Is Europe the most innovative region in the world? In a well-regarded report, Switzerland has again been deemed the world’s most innovative nation, followed by the United Kingdom, Sweden, Finland and the Netherlands. But the annual Global Innovation Index also shows a persistent innovation divide between developed and developing countries, and this year focuses on the human factor in innovation.
BRICS Urged To Create New Model Of Internet Governance 16/07/2014 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments As the governments of the largest emerging economies gather this week in Brazil, a civil society coalition has issued a call for them to lead change in the global system of internet governance in light of revelations of mass surveillance. The groups provide suggestions for constructing a system that ensures human rights, equity and social justice for all people.
UN Human Rights Report Finds Significant Harm, Possible Illegality, In Mass Surveillance 16/07/2014 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay today released a report criticising government mass surveillance, including the coercion of companies to release individuals’ information without their knowledge or consent. This activity is “severely hindering” accountability in human rights violations, and that governments must prove the legality of their actions, she said.
360 Applicants Bid For Top WIPO Posts; Selection Process Underway 15/07/2014 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The World Intellectual Property Organization is currently engaged in an unprecedented process for the selection of the new top management team to serve under recently re-elected Director General Francis Gurry. The open call for applicants resulted in some 360 applications from around the world, including from the upper echelons of WIPO itself, according to sources.
UN Human Rights Council Takes Actions On Internet Rights, Corporations 14/07/2014 by Maëli Astruc for Intellectual Property Watch 4 Comments At its recent session, the United Nations Human Rights Council adopted a resolution on the promotion, protection and enjoyment of human rights on the internet. It also addressed a legally binding instrument on corporations’ responsibility to ensure human rights.
More Liability For Internet Intermediaries Could Raise Information Control, Panellists Say 11/07/2014 by Maëli Astruc for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment At the recent University of Geneva summer course on internet law, one panel addressed challenges and strategies for internet intermediaries facing an increased burden of intellectual property rights protection online.
WIPO Meeting On TK Protection Ends With No Agreement, Draft Texts Heading To Assembly 09/07/2014 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The last World Intellectual Property Organization meeting before the annual General Assembly in September ended today, meeting the same fate as many others this year. The committee addressing the protection of genetic resources and traditional knowledge could not agree on recommendations to be transmitted to the Assembly, leaving it to the full membership in September.
Indigenous Peoples: WIPO Should Reflect Changing World Order 09/07/2014 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The World Intellectual Property Organization committee on genetic resources and traditional knowledge routinely holds an indigenous panel during the first day of its meeting. This week, several of the panellists called for delegates working on potential treaties to consider the particular status of indigenous peoples.
IPW Subscriber Update: New Draft Text On Future Work Of WIPO TK Committee 09/07/2014 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A new draft text on future work was issued this morning by a facilitator to the discussions of the World Intellectual Property Organization committee seeking to protect genetic resources and traditional knowledge.