New Text Issued In WIPO Genetic Resources Talks 06/02/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The first revision of what could become an international instrument on the protection of genetic resources was issued this morning and submitted for comments from World Intellectual Property Organization delegates.
African Union Declares It Will Proceed With Pan-African IP Office 06/02/2013 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The heads of state of the African Union (AU), the regional body working on African integration, have decided to proceed with the establishment of a Pan-African Intellectual Property Office (PAIPO), despite misgivings about the potential impact on their local economies.
WHO, WTO, WIPO Provide Policymakers Policy Options For Public Health 06/02/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The launch of a study co-edited by the World Trade Organization, World Health Organization, and World Intellectual Property Organization on the intersection between public health, intellectual property and trade drew a full attendance from a wide array of stakeholders on 5 February.
European Commission Launches Copyright Licensing Initiative 05/02/2013 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The European Commission has launched an initiative called “Licences for Europe” aimed at promoting copyright licences, as a next step in maintaining traditional copyright in light of new digital technologies.
WIPO: Positions Locked On Protection Of Genetic Resources; Experts To The Rescue 05/02/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Delegates attending the World Intellectual Property Organization’s committee on genetic resources this week restated their long-held positions on the issue at the start of the meeting yesterday before letting a secluded expert group try to bridge gaps.
Indigenous Peoples Rights’ Reaffirmed By UN Rapporteur, Panellists, At WIPO 05/02/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 4 Comments The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous People, James Anaya, was invited to speak at the opening of the World Intellectual Property Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore (IGC) yesterday. Along with other indigenous peoples representatives, he called for more participation of indigenous peoples in the process and a focus on the protection of their traditional knowledge, while WIPO raised alarm on the almost thorough depletion of the voluntary fund allowing the participation of indigenous peoples.
Expiring GMO Patents Raise Regulatory Issues; Private Sector Takes Measures 05/02/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment A number of patents on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in agriculture will expire in the coming years and this could be a problem for the biotechnology industry in terms of regulatory authorisations. A private sector initiative has recently been launched to address the issue.
Upcoming Law Summit To Address IP Management, Enforcement 04/02/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The 15th IP Law Summit, produced by Marcus Evans, is scheduled for 21-23 March in Colorado Springs, Colorado, US. Gathering corporate senior IP Counsel together with service providers, the Summit will offer a focused discussion of cutting-edge technology, strategy and products driving the IP marketplace.
Push For EU-US FTA Could Restart Discussions About IPRs 04/02/2013 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The high-level Munich Security Conference this weekend saw a considerable push for going forward with a Transatlantic Free Trade Agreement (TAFTA). Both US Vice-President Joe Biden and German Minister of Foreign Affairs Guido Westerwelle said such an agreement is within reach. But according to experts, negotiations also could re-open discussions on intellectual property protection.
FAO: New GMOs Rising In Developing Countries; Public Sector Key 04/02/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Contributions of participants at a recent e-conference organised by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) on new genetically modified organisms show that a considerable number of new GMOs are likely to be released in developing countries in the next five years.