Dominican Republic Prepares To Launch Patent Database 11/09/2013 by Luis Gil Abinader for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The National Industrial Property Office of the Dominican Republic (ONAPI) is working on a database that would make information about patent applications filed in the country readily available. Currently, obtaining such information can be costly and complicated.
Paper Finds Little Success In ‘Three-Strikes’ IP Enforcement Programmes 10/09/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A new paper by an Australian academic assesses the “graduated response” programmes set up in recent years to enforce copyrights online through escalating penalties for repeat offences, finding little benefit from the programmes.
WHO Now Charging Fees For Drug Prequalification, Raising Access Fears 10/09/2013 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The World Health Organization, the United Nations health agency in persistent financial straits, has announced it must begin charging a fee to manufacturers seeking prequalification of their vaccines and diagnostics. The announcement stirred concern among public health advocates that it might have a negative effect for procurement and access to life-saving medicines.
WIPO Members Discuss Budget, Projects, Finance, Human Resources This Week 10/09/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment World Intellectual Property Organization member states are expected to take a set of decisions this week on the future budget of the organisation, and have to bridge a number of differences on programmes before the General Assembly taking place later this month.
Clock Ticking For Multilateral Trading System, Intermission Over, Says New WTO Head 09/09/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment For new World Trade Organization Director General Roberto Azevêdo, it is time the WTO reclaims its role in the multilateral trading system. In his opening address to member states today, he called for compromises and a joint effort to restore trust in the system and to reach a successful outcome at the December WTO Ministerial Conference in Bali, Indonesia.
New Draft South African IP Policy Receives Initial Positive Reactions 09/09/2013 by Linda Daniels for Intellectual Property Watch 5 Comments The civil society collective formed to pressure the South African government to reform its patent act has cautiously welcomed the release of the country’s draft intellectual property policy.
US Court Forces Apple To Change E-Book Price Fixing 06/09/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The US District Court for the Southern District of New York today issued an order regarding a remedy to address Apple Inc.’s pricing of e-books, requiring the company to change its agreements with publishers with which it was found to have fixed prices.
Korean IP Office Announces Largest Restructuring In Its History 06/09/2013 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The Korean Intellectual Property Office today announced it will undergo the largest structural reorganisation in its history beginning next week. The aim of the restructuring is to provide better patent examination services, IP protection and usage, KIPO said.
Jury Card Shows Resounding Microsoft Win Over Motorola On Standard-Essential Patents 06/09/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Microsoft has claimed victory in its high-profile trial asserting that phone maker Motorola failed to licence its standard-essential patents under internationally recognised fair and reasonable terms. And the hand-marked jury card from the outcome in federal court in Seattle, Washington shows the unanimous decision.
Nominee For US Ambassador To UN In Geneva An Obama Childhood Friend, Major Fundraiser 06/09/2013 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The White House recently announced the nomination of Pamela Hamamoto, a childhood friend and major fundraiser of President Obama’s, to be the next ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, including agencies like the World Intellectual Property Organization, World Health Organization and International Telecommunication Union.