Zika Virus R&D: No Vaccine Before 3 To 5 Years, Sample Sharing Needs Incentives 10/03/2016 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments International experts convened by the World Health Organization this week on the Zika virus said vaccine development is a priority for the future but the most pressing need is to get diagnostic and prevention tools. Over 60 groups are hard at work on experimental products, according to the WHO, while a system of incentives to share virus samples is being considered.
Governments Agree To ICANN Accountability Proposals, Giving Green Light For IANA Transition 09/03/2016 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Governments gathered at the 55th meeting of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) in Marrakesh this week have agreed to not object to the final proposal on enhancing ICANN accountability. By the move, the governments cleared the way to allow a potential handover of the management of the central root zone of the domain name system and other core databases to ICANN from the United States Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).
Gilead Sovaldi Case Reveals Patent-Health Fissures In India 09/03/2016 by Patralekha Chatterjee for Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments NEW DELHI — Are patient groups, health activists and manufacturers of low-cost generic drugs always on the same page? Do India’s generic companies think alike? The short answer: not necessarily, though their interests have overlapped on many occasions.
UN Global Dialogue On Innovation And Access To Medicines This Week 08/03/2016 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The United Nations Secretary General’s High-Level Panel on Access to Medicines is holding a global dialogue this month, attended by governments, civil society, industry and academia, to discuss potential solutions to promote innovation and at the same time increase access to medicines. The first public dialogue session is this week, on 10 March in London.
WHO: Zika Virus Spreading, R&D Needs Financing, Sample Sharing Discussed 08/03/2016 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 5 Comments The World Health Organization said today that evidence of the relationship between the Zika virus and neonatal malformations and neurological disorders is growing stronger. The Emergency Committee set up by the WHO at a gathering today issued advice to the WHO director general, including warning pregnant women to avoid travelling to Zika infected countries. Meanwhile, discussions are ongoing on the sharing of the samples of the virus, and on the question of benefit-sharing. And a call was made for research and development to intensify.
ICANN Meeting In Marrakesh: More Hiccups On Way To IANA Transition 08/03/2016 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The 55th meeting of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) in Marrakesh this week is expected to finalise the last proposal necessary for the transition of the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA), a set of core functions necessary for the running of the internet.
As South Sudan Joins East African Community, Some Experts Worry Over Its IP Laws 08/03/2016 by Fredrick Nzwili for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment NAIROBI, Kenya — Experts and activists are raising concern over the lack of proper intellectual property laws in South Sudan, as the world’s newest nation’s admission into the East Africa Community (EAC) spurs anticipation of increased investment.
Findings of EU Project On Conservation Of Genetic Resources Due Out In June 07/03/2016 by Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The findings, conclusions and preliminary recommendations of a European Commission initiative on the conservation and sustainable use of genetic diversity are to be presented in June, the Commission has announced.
Foreign Copyright Holders Could More Actively Protect IP In Russia 07/03/2016 by Eugene Gerden for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Russia is continuing to strengthen its national legislation in the field of intellectual property, through the provision of means for foreign copyright holders to more actively protect their intellectual property in Russia and the elimination of bureaucratic hurdles, according to official sources.
TRIPS Council: Differing Views On IP Education; New Database Project Launched 04/03/2016 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Discussions on the worth of intellectual property for innovation and development have been a recurring agenda item during recent meetings of the World Trade Organization committee on intellectual property. This week, education and how it can raise awareness of IP was discussed with WTO members presenting their national experiences, and some developing countries warning against colluding IP and innovation.