EU-Funded Platform Connects SMEs, Researchers On Green Tech 21/07/2014 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A European Union-funded initiative is seeking to strengthen the links between small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the research community on environmental technologies.
Report: Switzerland Again World’s Most Innovative; North-South Innovation Divide Remains 18/07/2014 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments Is Europe the most innovative region in the world? In a well-regarded report, Switzerland has again been deemed the world’s most innovative nation, followed by the United Kingdom, Sweden, Finland and the Netherlands. But the annual Global Innovation Index also shows a persistent innovation divide between developed and developing countries, and this year focuses on the human factor in innovation.
Medicines Patent Pool Signs 7 New Sub-Licences For Generic HIV Drugs 18/07/2014 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The Medicines Patent Pool has announced seven new sub-licensing agreements to produce generic HIV medicines in order to make more affordable versions available to developing countries.
Human Eggs That Can’t Develop Into Human Beings Should Be Patentable, EU High Court Advisor Says 17/07/2014 by Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments Unfertilised human eggs that can’t develop into human beings are generally not “human embryos” within the meaning of the EU directive on the legal protection of biotechnological inventions, a 17 July European Court of Justice Advocate General opinion said. The opinion is good news for researchers into stem cell therapies, said a member of the industry group IP Federation, who added he hopes it will be upheld by the ECJ. But one biotech civil society member said the ruling, if it stands, could be abused.
EU Commissioner Hails Open Knowledge, Urges Copyright Reform 17/07/2014 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Neelie Kroes, vice-president of the European Commission responsible for the Digital Agenda, today hailed open knowledge in government, science, the internet, and education, and called again for “urgent reform” of copyright.
Codex Alimentarius Adopts New Food Safety Recommendations 17/07/2014 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A joint United Nations commission on food safety this week has set several new standards on level of lead, arsenic and drugs appearing in food.
UNAIDS Gap Report: Need Smarter Scale-Up, Focus On People Left Behind 16/07/2014 by Maëli Astruc for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment According to a report released today by the United Nations programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS), around 19 million of the 35 million people living with HIV do not know that they have the virus. But if the right steps are taken, the epidemic could be ended by 2030, it says.
BRICS Urged To Create New Model Of Internet Governance 16/07/2014 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments As the governments of the largest emerging economies gather this week in Brazil, a civil society coalition has issued a call for them to lead change in the global system of internet governance in light of revelations of mass surveillance. The groups provide suggestions for constructing a system that ensures human rights, equity and social justice for all people.
UN Human Rights Report Finds Significant Harm, Possible Illegality, In Mass Surveillance 16/07/2014 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay today released a report criticising government mass surveillance, including the coercion of companies to release individuals’ information without their knowledge or consent. This activity is “severely hindering” accountability in human rights violations, and that governments must prove the legality of their actions, she said.
With 51 Ratifications, Nagoya Protocol To Enter Into Force In October 15/07/2014 by Maëli Astruc for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The Nagoya Protocol on access and benefit-sharing of genetic resources will enter into force on 12 October, following the ratification of 12 more countries last week.