Brazil’s Copyright Reform: Schizophrenia? 08/02/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch 26 Comments Pedro Paranaguá writes: Brazil’s new Minister of Culture is under severe pressure from civil society groups, academics and some artists. After just a few weeks in power, Minister Ana de Hollanda issued an order to take the Creative Commons license off the Ministry’s website. Why is that a problem?
WIPO Survey On Patent Filing Strategies Shows Rise In Optimism 07/02/2011 by Tavengwa Runyowa for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A recent economic survey by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) assessed the expected growth in domestic and international patent filings in 2010 compared to 2009. The highest expected growth rates were reported in Asian countries, with modest and declining growth reported in Europe and the United States respectively.
New Biodiversity Benefit-Sharing Protocol Relies On National Rules, Experts Say 07/02/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment PARIS – The recently agreed international instrument to facilitate access to genetic resources and the equitable sharing of benefits accrued from those resources opened for signature last week, and the text is already getting mixed reviews from stakeholders.
Nations Begin Signing Protocol On Biodiversity Access And Benefit-Sharing 07/02/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments Four developing countries have signed a recently completed international agreement on access to genetic resources and the fair retribution of benefits accrued from those resources. The protocol opened for signature in New York last week and efforts are underway to set up an information clearinghouse.
L’ACTA ne serait pas conforme au droit communautaire 07/02/2011 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Un groupe d’experts en droit de la propriété intellectuelle, issus d’universités allemandes, britanniques, néerlandaises, françaises et espagnoles, a conclu que l’Accord Commercial Relatif à la Contrefaçon (plus connu sous le sigle anglais ACTA) récemment finalisé n’est pas entièrement conforme au droit communautaire et qu’il va au-delà du droit international sur certains aspects.
Panel: Seek Innovative Solutions Vs. Counterfeiting; Oxfam Warns Against False Solution 04/02/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment PARIS – The rise of counterfeiting and global economic difficulties combined to sap resources devoted to intellectual property enforcement, said panellists at an event highlighting the fight against counterfeiting and piracy yesterday, and discussed innovative solutions. Meanwhile a civil society group said enforcement of IP rights is a false solution to substandard medicines.
Counterfeit Congress Gives Nod To Developing Country Concerns 04/02/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 4 Comments PARIS – Sustainable development made what some described as a welcome intrusion at the global congress on counterfeiting and piracy during a dedicated session on Wednesday, with discussions on how to conduct enforcement efforts while taking into account developing country specificities.
IP Enforcement Extravaganza Assails Consequences Of Counterfeits 03/02/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment PARIS – Counterfeiting and piracy are on the pillory at the annual event organised by three intergovernmental agencies fighting intellectual property rights infringement. Much of the emphasis of this year’s event is being placed on the danger to the consumers and the economic consequences of infringement as well as on the necessity of enforcement measures. But some developing country delegates present at the event raised concern that the event might not be taking their concerns sufficiently into account.
Europe Calls For Radical Change On Innovation; EU Patent In Works 02/02/2011 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The European Union is failing to keep pace with key competitor nations and is in need of a radical new, greatly simplified, approach to research and innovation, the European Commission said today. And an element of what is needed is a European-wide patent.
People: New Lead For US Global IP Policy; KEI Lawyer To MSF; Copyright Kings In Washington 01/02/2011 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment An American industry representative with European ties has been named to take over the role of coordinating and communicating US international policy on patents and trademarks. Meanwhile, a key civil society lawyer became US manager of Doctors without Borders Access to Medicines campaign in the United States. And a music industry lawyer central to several landmark copyright cases has been nominated to be the next solicitor general. Catch these and the new faces at the trade associations and law firms in the latest edition of the IP-Watch People Column.