European Parliament Key Vote On Net Neutrality Laws – 24 February 19/02/2014 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The European Parliament (EP) is scheduled to vote on 24 February on the draft Single Telecoms Package Regulation drafted by the Industry, Research and Energy Committee – on the future of neutral internet.
Infojustice.org: Australia Commits To Overhaul Of Copyright Act 18/02/2014 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment From infojustice.org: [Australian Digital Alliance] It has been a big week for Australian Copyright. On Thursday the Attorney-General, the Hon George Brandis QC, tabled the long-anticipated final report from the Australian Law Reform Commission’s (ALRC) Copyright and the Digital Economy inquiry. This inquiry was charged with determining if copyright exceptions and limitations were working in the digital age. The conclusion was that reform was needed.
Battles Over Patents: Is India Changing The Rules Of The Game? 18/02/2014 by Ranjitha Balasubramanyam for Intellectual Property Watch 4 Comments Over the last couple of years, news of pharmaceutical patents and India’s attempts to protect and manage its market has caught the attention of intellectual property observers everywhere and the pharmaceutical industry in particular.
Paper Makes Recommendations For Exhaustion Of IP Rights 17/02/2014 by Julia Fraser for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment A recent paper issued by the International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development (ICTSD) compares existing exhaustion policies and makes recommendations for countries in the process of adopting their own regimes in this area. These have the potential to contribute to economic and social development, innovation and the protection of user rights globally, it said.
Seminar Shows Continued Divergence Among Nations On Regulating Internet 14/02/2014 by Maëli Astruc for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment It is generally considered that internet governance and cyber safety issues should be addressed in a multilateral way, but several points remain highly controversial, such as the adoption of rules and modifications of internet governance to be made. These issues were the subject of a panel at the UN Institute for Disarmament Research this week.
South Africa Promotion And Protection Of Investment Bill 2013 – A Review 13/02/2014 by Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments On 1 November 2013, the South African Department of Trade and Industry published the draft “Promotion and Protection of Investment Bill” for comments. And two lawyers caution that if not careful, it could come in conflict with the country’s international intellectual property obligations.
Biopharma Industries, Others Urge Caution In US Patent Reform 12/02/2014 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A coalition of large and small companies and organisation – including the leading trade associations for the US pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries – has asked the US Congress to use caution in rewriting patent laws so as not to cause unintended harm to their ability to innovate.
WHO, IFRC Tap Swiss Federal Funds For New Buildings 12/02/2014 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The World Health Organization and International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent have received approval of the Swiss Federal Council to receive millions of Swiss francs in loans for the purpose of planning new buildings in Geneva.
EU Commission Pushes Internationalisation Of Core Internet Infrastructure 12/02/2014 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Over the revelations of mass surveillance of internet users and government officials, the topic of internet governance has risen to the mainstream political agenda. And a Communication on “Europe’s role in shaping the future of Internet Governance” passed by the European Commission today would put “Europe in the center of the debate,” EC Vice President Neelie Kroes said in a press conference in Brussels.
USTR Announces “Notorious” Markets For Counterfeiting, Piracy In 2013 12/02/2014 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The Office of the United States Trade Representative today published its annual list of online and physical marketplaces worldwide that are most engaged in sales and trafficking of counterfeit and pirated goods.