IP-Intensive Industries A Powerhouse Of EU Economy, EPO-OHIM Study Says 30/09/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The European Patent Office released a study today on the impact of intellectual property rights on the European economy, finding that some 40 percent of the total economic activity in the European Union is generated by “intellectual property rights-intensive industries.”
WIPO Staff Urge Opposition To Changes To Internal Justice System At WIPO 29/09/2013 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments As many as 300 members of the staff of the World Intellectual Property Organization have supported a petition urging the WIPO director general to withdraw a proposed amendment to the internal justice system at the UN agency, according to informed sources. The petition calls on WIPO member states to reject the proposed changes.
WIPO Election: Two Candidates For Director So Far, More Could Follow 29/09/2013 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 4 Comments Two candidates to lead the UN World Intellectual Property Organization from 2014 to 2020 have been formally nominated by their governments in the past week. And according to sources, others are being considered.
Upcoming TRIPS Council: IP And Sports, Green Tech, Public Health 29/09/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The upcoming meeting of the World Trade Organization committee on intellectual property includes a newcomer on the agenda. The European Union, Jamaica, Mexico and the United States have requested an agenda item on intellectual property and sports.
WTO Panel Established In Honduras Case Vs. Australia Tobacco Packaging 28/09/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The World Trade Organization Dispute Settlement Body has established a panel on a complaint by Honduras against Australia’s measure to require tobacco to be sold in plain packaging as a public health measure.
WIPO Members Reach Tentative Deal On TK Treaties; External Offices Mired 27/09/2013 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments World Intellectual Property Organization members this evening reached a hard-won preliminary agreement on a path to a high-level negotiation of treaties or other instruments for the protection of traditional knowledge, traditional cultural expressions and genetic resources. The tentative deal, reached in informal meetings, creates an intensive work programme for the next year and a final decision in September 2014. The plan will have to go before the full WIPO membership in plenary as soon as Monday.
Development Agenda At WIPO: Still Waiting For Cultural Change 26/09/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Progress on mainstreaming a development dimension into all World Intellectual Property Organization activities and its assessment by a dedicated committee has been called into question by developing countries concerned that the mandatory effort has slipped in importance.
US Ambassador: WIPO Needs More Balance Toward Rightsholders 26/09/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment This week, US Ambassador to the UN Betty King told Intellectual Property Watch that WIPO is still out of balance – against intellectual property rights holders.
Swift Start On WIPO General Assembly Agenda But Sticky Issues Kept For Later 26/09/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Agenda items appeared to move swiftly in the first days of this week’s World Intellectual Property Organization annual assembly, but tricky issues are being left for later and actively discussed in informal consultations. Examples of ongoing discussions are the programme and budget discussion, governance of the organisation, and the definition of development expenditures under the budget.
WIPO Approves 15 New Observers, Including DNDi, COHRED; Pirate Parties Rejected 25/09/2013 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments Member governments of the UN World Intellectual Property Organization today approved 15 new observers to the organisation, including three international organisations, and a range of nongovernmental organisations such as two significant public health-oriented groups. But two groups were rejected, including the high-profile Pirate Parties International. Separately, the member governments of the important WIPO Program and Budget Committee were also announced today.