EPO Sees Highest Patent Filings Ever; Chinese Applications Still Rising 07/03/2017 by Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The European Patent Office published its 2016 annual report today, showing an “unprecedented level of patent filings,” and underlining the growing number of patent applications from China. The top technical fields for applications included medical technology, digital communication, and pharmaceuticals.
Legal Swords Sharpened In Kenya-Manchester Cancer Drug Rights Dispute 07/03/2017 by Maina Waruru for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment NAIROBI, Kenya — A dispute between Kenyan researchers and the University of Manchester, United Kingdom, over ownership of a cancer discovered after successful clinical trials in Kenya finally seems headed to courts.
First Access To Vaccines Index Published 06/03/2017 by Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments An “Access to Vaccines Index” was released today in the Netherlands that claims to “reveal the first landscape of vaccine company actions to improve immunisation coverage.”
A Review Of ‘Standard Essential Patents Within Global Networks – An Emerging Economies Perspective’ By Dieter Ernst 06/03/2017 by Guest contributor for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By Roya Ghafele, OxFirst – Dieter Ernst’s study is one of the few, if not the only one, to thoroughly examine the role, function and effects of Standard Essential Patents from a developing country’s perspective. As such, the study is a refreshing read, given that the discourse on Standard Essential Patents and the FRAND (fair reasonable and non-discriminatory) regime is pretty much driven from a developed country’s point of view.
Patent Data – The Modern Investor’s Crystal Ball 06/03/2017 by Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments Sirena Rubinoff writes: What if there was a crystal ball that could tell you where and when to invest your money? It sounds like science fiction, but engineers at MIT have actually developed a formula that can predict future events in tech development. The formula is based on a combination of big data from patent applications and smart analytics which, when put together, can estimate how fast a technology is advancing.
UN Human Rights Council To Host Expert Panel On Medicines Access This Week 04/03/2017 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva this week will host a panel discussion among a notable range of experts on access to medicines and the controversial UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel report issued last September. The panel is expected to lead to a report sent on to the Human Rights Council for possible action next autumn.
Global Fund Names Interim Executive Director Starting In June 04/03/2017 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The Board of the Global Fund for AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria has named Marijke Wijnroks of the Netherlands as interim executive director starting on 1 June until a new director can be selected. The international health financing facility this week decided to restart its director search from scratch after questions arose with the final two candidates to replace current Executive Director Mark Dybul, who will return to the United States at the end of his four-year term on 31 May.
WIPO Committee On Protection Of Folklore: New Inspiration From Developing Countries 03/03/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment There seems to be something in the air at the World Intellectual Property Organization committee working to find solutions to protect indigenous traditional cultural expressions (folklore) from misappropriation. After 16 years of snail’s pace and mostly unfruitful efforts, the landscape appears to be moving, as developing countries seek a common proactive position, with new treaty language, while the European Union and the United States seem to be increasingly lonely, according to sources.
E-Commerce, Access To Medicines Catching On At WTO TRIPS Council 03/03/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The World Trade Organization committee on intellectual property rights met this week with some discussion items that departed from past agendas but are becoming more familiar. A discussion on electronic commerce revealed interest from members, despite a slow start on details. And discussions on the United Nations High-Level Panel on Access to Medicines prompted nourished interactions and a wish by some countries to pursue the subject in future sessions.
Australia’s Indigenous Culture Event at WIPO Showcases Human Rights Candidacy 03/03/2017 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The creativity-oriented UN World Intellectual Property Organization is often at its best when displaying the colorfully multicultural nature of its membership.