EU Trademark Case Leads To Rules On Use Of Nice Classification 10/04/2014 by Angela Garcia Medina for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The perhaps underestimated list of goods or services that applicants file with their trademark applications play an essential role in defining the protection the trademark will have. Registrars use this list to determine if an application should be refused and if it limits a trademark’s exclusive rights. The goods or services listed in an application can also motivate oppositions from competitors with prior rights or cause the future cancellation of the trademark. A recent trademark case in the European Union calls into attention the need for authorities to establish clear, predictable rules to identify goods and services in trademark systems. Further, the case highlights why it is important for applicants to carefully consider which goods or services they wish to protect and clearly identify them in an application.
Geneva Internet Platform Launches: Neutral Ground For Net Governance 09/04/2014 by Maëli Astruc for Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments With yesterday’s launch of the new Geneva Internet Platform, global internet governance stakeholders have a new venue for neutral engagement.
WHO Guidelines May Help With Price Reductions For Hepatitis C Drugs 09/04/2014 by Julia Fraser for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Guidelines for the treatment of hepatitis C released by the World Health Organization today recommend revolutionary new drugs for the virus. However, the exorbitant price of these drugs means they will remain out of reach for most of the millions infected. The WHO guidelines themselves offer limited recommendation for reducing prices, but may help in creating the conditions for price reduction by accruing demand and giving countries official backing in price negotiations.
Warning! You Are Being Watched. 09/04/2014 by Joséphine De Ruyck for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The explosive growth of technology in recent years has given governments, intelligence agencies and big businesses, like Google and Facebook, monitoring tools to create a new empire of Big Brother. People have never been more scrutinised at any other time in human history than they are today. This naturally begs the question: does the right to privacy still exist?
Book Analyses Chinese IP And Technology Laws 09/04/2014 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The recently published book “Chinese Intellectual Property and Technology Laws” provides the “first” overview of Chinese IP and technology law, supported by extensive legal, historical and socioeconomic background to developments in these areas.
UPOV To Examine ARIPO Legislation On Plant Variety Protection 08/04/2014 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Several committees of the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) will meet this week. One of them is called to assess a draft legal framework on plant variety protection from the African Regional Intellectual Property Office (ARIPO). The draft legislation has drawn ire from civil society who charge that it is detrimental to small farmers and who argue that ARIPO does not have legitimacy to become a UPOV member.
EU Data Retention Directive Declared In Violation Of EU Law 08/04/2014 by Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments European data retention has to be rolled back after a clear judgment of the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Justice in Luxemburg today. The highest EU Court ruled that the directive which obliges telecommunication providers to collect and store communication traffic and location data for up to 2 years, depending on the implementation in the member states, is invalid.
New South Africa IP Policy Unlikely Before May Elections 08/04/2014 by Linda Daniels for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment South Africa’s upcoming general elections on 7 May have thrown a spanner in the works of the much-anticipated national draft intellectual property policy from coming into effect anytime soon.
ICANN Puts Off Decision On .Vin And .Wine 07/04/2014 by Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has decided to take more time to review applications to grant two internet domains related to delicate political subject of … wine.
UK Issues New Regulations On Copyright Collecting Societies 07/04/2014 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The United Kingdom has issued new regulations for collecting societies that it says clarify the licensing of copyrighted materials.