South Africa Government Completes IP Policy, Plans To Publish It This Month 08/08/2017 by Linda Daniels for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment CAPE TOWN — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in South Africa has confirmed that the long-awaited national draft IP policy will be published in the Government Gazette this month. This comes after Cabinet approved the draft IP policy at its latest meeting last week.
Qatar WTO Complaint: Saudi, UAE, Bahrain Restrictions Violate IP Rights 04/08/2017 by Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The government of Qatar has requested World Trade Organization dispute settlement consultations with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia over restrictions ranging from goods and services, to airspace, to intellectual property rights. In the filing, Qatar complains the countries are engaging in “coercive attempts at economic isolation.”
New Book Puts WIPO Traditional Knowledge Committee In Perspective 02/08/2017 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A new book with contributions from key thinkers on the subject details the long history and intensive negotiations of the World Intellectual Property Organization committee on genetic resources, traditional knowledge and folklore, making a case for conclusion of binding international agreements in these areas as a way to close gaps in intellectual property policy.
WIPO Moves Slowly On Reduction In Compensation For Geneva-Based Staff 20/07/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Earlier this year, the United Nations International Civil Service Commission called for a decrease in the compensation for the high cost of living for staff of Geneva-based United Nations agencies. At the World Intellectual Property Organization Program and Budget Committee last week, some countries asked why the decision was not reflected in the draft budget for 2018/2019. WIPO replied that discussions on the decision are ongoing among various agencies.
WIPO Proposes 10 Percent Cut In Governments’ Annual Contributions 20/07/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The World Intellectual Property Organization has proposed a 10 percent reduction in the contributions its member states make to the UN agency. The proposal, which met with some unanswered questions from WIPO member states at a committee meeting last week, is said to reflect the agency’s robust finances and will be taken up again in September. The move would shrink government contributions to WIPO’s overall budget to less than 5 percent of its total revenues. Member states’ first reading of the proposed budget by WIPO for 2018/2019 also led to some amendments in programmes, notably new indicators of progress.
USTR Puts IP Focus In Digital Trade In NAFTA Renegotiation Objectives 18/07/2017 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment In its newly issued objectives for renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has put a strong focus on protecting and exploiting intellectual property rights in the digital environment.
Arduous Discussions At WIPO For New Country/Regional Offices, No Winners Yet 15/07/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Attracting a World Intellectual Property Organization external office appears to be a critical priority for a number of countries that have put forward their candidacy for four possible new openings. During the WIPO Program and Budget Committee this week, some of those candidates delivered presentations highlighting their most striking assets, such as bridging continents, region, and economic blocs. But discussions could not lead to the chosen winners this week.
WIPO Budget First Reading: SDGs, External Offices, Possible Treaty Negotiation 12/07/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The World Intellectual Property Organization members this week have discussed the first draft of the budget of the organisation for the biennium 2018/2019. Questions have been asked about how WIPO is contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, how much WIPO committees and external offices will cost, and how WIPO can help developing countries increase their IP development.
WIPO, A Well-Funded UN Agency, Presents Its Next Budget To Members 10/07/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The finances of the World Intellectual Property Organization are healthy to say the least. The United Nations organisation, the only one able to feed its budget from user fees, shows a net result of over US$30 million. This week, WIPO member states are considering the budget for the 2018/2019 biennium, and as well which countries should be chosen to hold external WIPO offices.
G20: 19 Against 1 On Climate Change; Affordable Antimicrobials, Vaccines Planned 08/07/2017 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The G20 governments against some odds passed a joint communique today, but had to accept differences on climate and in one point also on free trade. The US delegation remained firm in their decision to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement and continue to support conventional energy resources, instead of renewable ones. German Chancellor Angela Merkel in her press conference explained that there was a clear division in the climate chapter of the G20 2017 Declaration.