International IP Treaties Bring Tension in Africa’s Homegrown Knowledge Governance 15/05/2017 by Munyaradzi Makoni for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment CAPE TOWN, South Africa — The belief that intellectual property promotes foreign direct investment and international trade has brought tension in African countries’ ability to eliminate trade barriers, and to ensure local governments are able to develop policies that respond to local needs, according to an extensive new analysis.
Longest, Biggest World Health Assembly Ever Set To Open With Election, Budget Topping Agenda 12/05/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 4 Comments The 70th World Health Assembly opening in a few days is the WHA of superlatives, according to a World Health Organization’s official. It is the longest assembly ever, with nine days of meeting, the largest number delegates, of agenda items, and of documents. It is also when the new WHO new director general will be elected, and when the WHO next budget is expected to be approved.
Brussels Conference On Innovation, Research and Competition In EU 12/05/2017 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment An academic conference this month will explore issues related to innovation, research and competition in the European Union, addressing topics such as 5G, big data, patents and standards.
WHO, Stakeholders Take ‘First Step’ On Fair Pricing For Medicines 12/05/2017 by Catherine Saez and William New, Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments The World Health Organization has concluded a major one-day forum on fair pricing of medicines, bringing a wide range of stakeholders together in Amsterdam and coming up with several possible actions for the way ahead. Key points of discussion included a definition of fair pricing, moving away from value-based pricing, delinkage of price from research and development costs, and greater transparency, according to participants.
WHO Touts Its Past Work On Improving Access To Medicines 11/05/2017 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The World Health Organization today published an item entitled, Access to medicines: making market forces serve the poor, a chapter from its report ‘Ten years in public health 2007-2017’ of outgoing WHO Director General Margaret Chan.
WHO Studies On Local Pharma Production Provide Key Contrasts Between China, India 11/05/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Two new studies published by the World Health Organization provide insight on the production of pharmaceutical products in India and China. According to the studies, China has a substantial local pharmaceutical manufacturing sector which the Chinese government is closely linking to its policy objective of universal health care. India, the main global provider of generic medicines is not pursuing a comparable focus on universal health care. India is increasingly faced with Chinese pharmaceutical sector competition, with China being its main provider of commoditized active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).
Access Treaty for Visually Impaired Readers (Finally) Steps Forward On EU Ratification 11/05/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment After prevaricating for about three years, the European Union now seems to be about to ratify a treaty lifting copyright across borders for books in special format for visually impaired people. The European Blind Union saluted the agreement as great news for millions of people with visual disabilities but warned that a provision allowing EU members to impose economic compensation on organisations representing blind persons and libraries could run counter to the benefit of the treaty.
US, EU Diverge On Medical Diagnostic Patents 10/05/2017 by Kim Treanor for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment A recent article in the journal Nature Biotechnology finds that since a key United States Supreme Court decision, the European Union and United States have diverged in their patent filings for medical diagnostics.
MSF Warns Of Threats To Public Health In Asian Trade Agreement IP Proposals 09/05/2017 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The 18th round of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) trade agreement negotiations is taking place this week in Manila, Philippines. Health activists warn that Japan and South Korea are pushing for measures that go beyond international trade rules on intellectual property, including extending patent terms and data exclusivity in countries such as India, a primary source of cheaper generic medicines.
Exceptions To Copyright, Protection Of Broadcasters – Entangled Subjects At WIPO 09/05/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Efforts by the newly elected chair of the World Intellectual Property Organization copyright committee, and ongoing studies and initiatives commissioned by WIPO to move past irreconcilable differences on limitations and exceptions to copyright, had little effect last week in terms of agreeing a work programme. However, the committee agreed to ask the WIPO secretariat to propose a draft action plan on those items, and also adopted a new version of a text on the protection of broadcasting organisations. But there was no agreement on recommending to the annual General Assemblies in October to convene a diplomatic conference to finish negotiations on a broadcasting treaty.