WIPO Committee Meets Next Week To Discuss Country Name Trademarks, Icons, GIs 27/10/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The World Intellectual Property Organization committee on trademark, industrial designs and geographical indications meets next week. Among the issues expected to be discussed are whether and how country names should be protected in trademark applications and on the internet. The committee also will consider again deepening its understanding of how GIs are protected at national and regional level, whether through trademarks or a sui generis system. And on the agenda next week is an information session on new technology designs, such as icons and type fonts used on internet, social media, smart phones and tablets.
A Look Back: Challenges Of Open Access In 2017 (An Industry Perspective) 27/10/2017 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Suzanne Kavanagh writes: Over the course of the year, three issues repeatedly reared their heads as barriers to the successful implementation of Open Access: the burden of expected author OA expertise; the underutilization of metadata in the publication lifecycle, and the challenges posed to authors and institutions by one-off solutions. As the tenth Open Access Week draws to a close, with its focus on the concrete benefits of making scholarly research openly available, where have we gotten to in solving these problems and realizing the potential of OA?
Reaping The Benefits Of Artificial Intelligence 26/10/2017 by Guest contributor for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Your brand is everything in the global marketplace. It is no exaggeration to say that a business now lives and dies by both its offline, online and social reputation. Because of this, searching a trademark is more vital than ever before. It is important for trademark professionals to work faster and more effectively in searching, clearing and registering strong marks to ensure clients have a competitive advantage. To do so requires the merging of the old and new: the specific knowledge that only highly experienced trademark experts can provide, with the advantages of the latest wave of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, writes Ronda Majure.
FAO Calls On WTO Ministerial Conference To Protect Small Farmers 25/10/2017 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment As the biennial World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference is drawing closer, a number of stakeholders are pushing for their priorities to be heard. For its part, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has called on WTO members to protect smallholder farmers.
Health Group Challenges Gilead Patents In The US On Grounds Of Lack Of Novelty 25/10/2017 by Intellectual Property Watch 11 Comments A health advocacy group today announced that it has challenged a set of United States patents for a hepatitis C medicine. The group says drug maker Gilead Sciences has obtained unmerited patents for sofosbuvir, blocking millions of US patients from affordable treatment.
WHO Draft 5-Year Plan Would Focus On Impact & Innovation, Be Discreet On Medicines Access 25/10/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment After the new head of the World Health Organization provided his vision for his tenure of the global health institution this summer, the organisation is working on its next programme of work for the period 2019-2023. A preliminary concept note has been issued for public consideration. The note lays out priorities and new orientations and describes a financially sober, more efficient organisation, focused on measurable impact, set on aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and affirming its role as a multi-stakeholder platform of global governance on health, but stays clear of controversial issues, such as the affordability of medicines.
No Progress On WTO Appellate Body Appointments As Ranks Thinning 25/10/2017 by Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The imbroglio which might cause a major impediment to the World Trade Organization’s functioning is thickening as the United States continues to block the selection process to fill vacancies in the WTO Appellate Body, according to sources.
Qatar WTO Dispute Case: An Issue Of IP Or National Security? 24/10/2017 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The United Arab Emirates (UAE) this week blocked the first request by Qatar for a World Trade Organization dispute settlement panel to rule on measures by UAE that Qatar alleges interfere with trade in goods and services and with protection of Qatar’s intellectual property rights. Neighbouring countries say they have taken actions out of concern that Qatar is providing financial support for terrorist groups.
Consultation On Future Of WHO Pandemic Flu Programme To Look At Seasonal Viruses, Genetic Information 24/10/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The World Health Organization mechanism to prepare the world for the next influenza pandemic is pondering its future and possible improvements. Among them are its extension to seasonal influenza, and the inclusion of genetic virus information along with biological samples to keep pace with technological developments. Member states and stakeholders (except the media) have been invited by the WHO to a consultation next month to discuss an analysis showing the potential beneficial or deleterious effects of the suggested changes to the system.
Global Fund For AIDS, TB & Malaria Narrows Director Candidates To Four 23/10/2017 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The Global Fund for AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria announced today it has narrowed the search to four high-level candidates, coming from backgrounds in banking, development agencies and United Nations programs.