WHO Expert Group To Recommend Binding R&D Treaty Negotiation 14/12/2011 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 4 Comments A World Health Organization expert group has narrowed proposals under consideration for ways to finance research and development for diseases predominately affecting poor populations. Among the remaining recommendations is that WHO members launch negotiations for a binding treaty.
Taiwan Looks To Join ACTA 13/12/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch 4 Comments Taiwan may become the first new country to join the ranks of the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement.
Out Of A Dilemma: Banning The Non-Violation Clause Under TRIPS 13/12/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The non-violation nullification of benefits is a clause that could be used if a WTO member deems that another member’s actions caused an unexpected loss of benefits, even if there is no violation of a WTO agreement. Developing countries are wary of this provision and the moratorium on its use under TRIPS is up for debate and probable renewal at the WTO Ministerial Conference in Geneva this week, writes Daniele Dionisio.
Brazil’s Leaked Copyright Reform Draft Bill Shows Latest Thinking 12/12/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Another chapter of the Brazilian copyright reform is out. The third version of the draft bill leaked a few days ago to a major newspaper in the country, and a handful of academics had access to it, writes Pedro Paranaguá.
Kroes Details EU No-Disconnect, Open Data Strategies 12/12/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment European Commissioner for the Digital Agenda Neelie Kroes today presented details on the No-Disconnect strategy of the EU which aims to support human rights activists and freedom fighters in authoritarian regimes.
WIPO Patent Committee Agrees To Continue Discussions On All Issues 10/12/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The World Intellectual Property Organization patent law committee ended its meeting this week with status quo on all issues, after lively deliberations and new proposals but with all discussions left for further debate in 2012.
New Guide Issued To Help Developing Countries Embrace GIs, As WTO, WIPO Meet 10/12/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Two European-based organisations working in agriculture and development will launch a joint publication next week that will provide a guide for developing countries to consider geographical indications. The guide comes as the World Trade Organization and World Intellectual Property Organization hold meetings next week.
Council Of Europe Sees Human Rights Concerns In Internet Restrictions 08/12/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The Council of Europe today alerted its 47 member states “to the gravity of violations of Articles 10 and 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights which might result from politically motivated pressure exerted on privately operated Internet platforms and online service providers, and of other attacks against websites of independent media, human rights defenders, dissidents, whistleblowers and new media actors.”
ICANN Warned Again In The US On New Internet Domains 08/12/2011 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) should at least pursue a slow start with new top-level domains (TLDs), members of the US Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Technology asked at a hearing in Washington DC, today. ICANN is on track to opening the application phase for an unlimited number of new TLDs, to allow competition with the existing .com, .org, and .info for brand owners, but also communities around the world.
Patent Reform Has USPTO’s Trial And Appeal Board At The ‘Centre Of A Storm’ 08/12/2011 by Liza Porteus Viana, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment WASHINGTON, DC – Officials and workers at the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) are working day and night, as well as weekends, to meet forthcoming deadlines outlined in the America Invents Act (AIA). And some legal experts warn that they are now experiencing the calm before the storm as those deadlines approach.