Débats des Membres de l’OMPI: excédent budgétaire et programme chargé pour 2008 21/12/2006 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Cette semaine, les États membres de l’Organisation mondiale de la propriété intellectuelle (OMPI) ont renforcé leur participation au processus d’élaboration du programme et budget, et ont clarifié leurs vues sur les principaux travaux en cours s’agissant des ressources humaines et de la nouvelle construction. Toutefois, des divergences subsistent quant à la façon d’utiliser l’excédent budgétaire […]
Researcher Proposes System To Promote And Protect TK In China 21/12/2006 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By Catherine Saez Although China is the biggest traditional knowledge holder in the world and has been patenting its traditional medicine knowledge since 1993, its existing patent regime does not appear to be able to protect traditional knowledge or its holders, says Xuan Li, research fellow at the World Trade Institute in Bern. In order […]
Swiss Initiative Seeks To Dispel “Black-And-White” View Of Patents 19/12/2006 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen Switzerland has begun a new kind of collaboration at the national level with the aim of moving beyond the old “patents are good/patents are bad” debate, particularly when it comes to intellectual property and public health, according to officials. Intellectual Property Watch recently spoke with Felix Addor and Gaudenz Silberschmidt […]
Los miembros debaten y la OMPI prevé un excedente presupuestario. Programa intenso para 2008 18/12/2006 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Por William New Esta semana, los gobiernos miembros de la Organización Mundial de la Propiedad Intelectual (OMPI) intensificaron su participación en la adopción de decisiones sobre el programa y presupuesto de la organización y mejoraron su comprensión de los esfuerzos clave que están en curso en lo que se refiere al personal y a la […]
WIPO Committee To Increase Focus On Genetic Resources 16/12/2006 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By William New In a recent meeting, a World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) committee agreed to increase its activity related to intellectual property rights and genetic resources. This could have significance for negotiations on the issue currently at the World Trade Organization, according to sources in Geneva. The 30 November to 8 December meeting of […]
US Congress Passes Legislation On “Semi-Generic” Wines 15/12/2006 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By William New Just in time for the New Year, the United States Congress has passed a bill that will continue to allow the production of knock-off champagnes from outside of France. The European Union is currently examining a bill passed in December that would modify the US law on wines sold under “semi-generic” names […]
Patent Reform On US Senate Agenda; US Officials Question French Copyright Law 14/12/2006 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment By William New As the year end draws near, United States government officials are marking the ground for international intellectual property debates to come in 2007. On 13 December, Senator Patrick Leahy, incoming chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee released his committee’s agenda for next year. He said he would prioritize updating of the US […]
Members Debate As WIPO Sees Budget Surpluses, Busy Programme For 2008 13/12/2006 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By William New The member governments of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) this week furthered their involvement in WIPO’s programme and budget decisions and clarified their understanding of key efforts underway on personnel and new-building construction. But as WIPO declared it would have a budget surplus, members differed on how to spend it and […]
WTO Meeting Reopens Discussions On Geographical Indications Register 12/12/2006 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By William New Informal consultations on 11 December on World Trade Organization negotiations to create a multilateral register for geographical indications produced little progress but showed a willingness by all sides to continue talking on the issue, participants said. The discussion took place in a special session of the WTO Council on the Agreement on […]
Industry Works To Allay Concerns On Patenting Of Genetic Resources 12/12/2006 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By William New Addressing a mixed crowd of private-sector innovation champions and cautious keepers of traditional indigenous ways at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) last week, biotechnology industry representatives sought to overcome fears of intentional misappropriation.