Governments Must Provide More Transparency In Trade Negotiations, Coalition Says At IGF 19/12/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The Internet Governance Forum Dynamic Coalition on Trade and the Internet, a group formed in 2016, held its formal inaugural meeting today and adopted a resolution on transparency in trade negotiations, in particular on trade rules that affect the online and digital environment.
Internet Content Control Is Here, UN Special Rapporteur Warns IGF 19/12/2017 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment “Internet content regulation is coming, in fact it is already here,” said David Kaye, United Nations special rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, during a panel organised by the Global Network Initiative on day one of the 12th Internet Governance Forum in Geneva this week.
Starbucks Trademark Dispute Brewing Over Bull Pulu Tapioca Logo 18/12/2017 by Guest contributor for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The Japan Patent Office (JPO) has rejected an opposition from Starbucks to trademark registration no. 5897739 for the green-and white “BULL PULU TAPIOCA” concentric circle logo with a puppy white bull dog in the center, writes Masaki Mikami.
At Internet Governance Forum, Developing Countries Explain Need To Tread Carefully On E-Commerce Policy 18/12/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Who does not like to have the possibility to shop online, or benefit from online services? No one disputes the advantage of the digital age, but in a world in which a very small number of actors, such as Google and Facebook, hosted by rich countries, reap most of the advertising benefits, developing countries are wary of binding rules which would only serve to enhance the digital and economic divide, according to speakers on an opening panel today at this week’s Internet Governance Forum.
INTA 4-Year Strategic Plan: Value, Consumer Trust, Innovation 17/12/2017 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The International Trademark Association (INTA) will implement a new strategic plan for 2018 to 2021 starting with the new year. The plan focuses on promoting the value of trademarks and brands, reinforcing consumer trust, and embracing innovation and change.
WIPO Patent Law Committee Agrees On Future Work, Stays On Safe Path 15/12/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The mood was conciliatory this week at the World Intellectual Property Organization patent law committee as delegates mainly shared experiences and heard presentations. The five topics composing the work of the committee, which had been carefully negotiated in the summer and reflecting a “delicate balance” of interest between countries, will be pursued at the next session. Among them are the topics of patents and health, technology transfer, and the quality of patents.
Intellectual Property Rights In Trade – To Be Rethought? 15/12/2017 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment After two decades of intellectual property regimes in trade agreements, one could have some second thoughts, according to a number of panellists at the Trade and Sustainable Development Symposium, organised by the International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development (ICTSD) and held alongside the 11th World Trade Organization Ministerial in Buenos Aires, Argentina this week.
London Declaration Report Shows Progress But More Needed Against Neglected Tropical Diseases 15/12/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A newly released report by the wide-ranging joint London Declaration initiative to fight neglected tropical diseases shows progress in elimination of diseases and the number of people treated. However, in order to reach universal health coverage, efforts have to be intensified, according to the World Health Organization director general. The pharmaceutical industry, meanwhile, said it is ready to live up to its pledge made five years ago and expand donations programmes.
Former Medicines Patent Pool Head Greg Perry Joins Pharmaceutical Industry 15/12/2017 by Catherine Saez and William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A day after Greg Perry resigned as executive director of the Medicines Patent Pool, the pharmaceutical industry announced today that he will join the Geneva-based International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA) as an assistant director general.
Obviousness In The Wake Of Arendi 15/12/2017 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Since the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit issued its opinion in Arendi S.A.R.L. v. Apple Inc. last August,[1] many patent commentators have asserted that the decision marked a significant change in the analysis of obviousness under 35 U.S.C. § 103, especially as a weakening of single-reference obviousness grounds. Notwithstanding this decision, petitioners and the Patent Trial and Appeal Board have continued to rely on single-reference obviousness to assert and find that claims are obvious, write Amy Simpson and Kyle Canavera.