Opposition To Aspects Of Google Book Project Settlement Mounts 18/09/2009 by Bruce Gain for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Google’s court settlement in the United States that could allow the search engine giant to sell scanned books online is increasingly coming under fire prior to the final hearing in the matter next month. Government entities and groups in the United States and in Europe that oppose the settlement could, at the very least, temporarily derail Google Book Search, according to sources.
Human Rights, Multi-Stakeholder Approach Are European Priority For Internet Governance 18/09/2009 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Stakeholders gathered this week to discuss a European approach to the governance of the internet in the lead-up to the next global forum on the issue. The second European Dialogue on Internet Governance (EuroDIG) took place in Geneva on 14-15 September and brought together some 200 representatives.
EPO Announces Four Candidates For Next President 17/09/2009 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The European Patent Office today announced four people in the running to replace its current president, Alison Brimelow, who is not seeking another term after hers expires on 30 June 2010.
Brimelow Stresses Need For Better Patent System; Discusses Harmonisation 17/09/2009 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The way the patent system is currently structured rewards slowness and low quality, but the needed changes will have to include a new revenue model, a top European patent official said today.
New EU Communication On Increased IP Enforcement 14/09/2009 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 4 Comments The European Commission Trade Directorate today adopted a “communication on enhancing the enforcement of intellectual property rights” within the European Union internal market that aims at greater coordination but stops short of new legislative measures.
Brevetage des gènes: la résistance se renforce aux Etats-Unis et en Europe 14/09/2009 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment L’action en justice intentée récemment contre le Bureau américain des brevets et des marques de commerce par une entreprise de biotechnologie et une fondation concernant des brevets sur les gènes associés au cancer a permis d’attirer l’attention de l’opinion internationale sur la question du brevetage des gènes humains, une pratique contre laquelle un groupe d’associations influentes a exprimé son opposition le 27 août.
Gene Patenting In Question In The US, EU; New Resistance Effort 02/09/2009 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments A recent lawsuit involving patents on human genes related to cancer brought against the United States patent office, a biotechnology company and a foundation has attracted international attention to the issue of gene patenting, and on 27 August a group of influential associations voiced their opposition to such patents.
Digital Library Europeana Said To Be Europe’s Answer to Google Books Settlement 28/08/2009 by Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Google’s settlement in the United States of copyright infringement claims by authors and book publishers faces strong opposition from European publishers. The deal does not apply to books outside the US and one Google official has suggested the need for a similar service in Europe. Could digital library Europeana be the solution? A 28 August European Commission policy statement addressed that concern and others.
EU, US Bristle As Drug Innovators Pay To Delay New Generics 25/08/2009 by Steven Seidenberg for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Authorities in the European Union and the United States have recently taken a tougher stance against reverse payments – patent settlements whereby, according to many competition experts, dominant drug companies buy off potential rivals.
OECD: Tech R&D, Innovation Hard-Hit By Economy, But May Be Turning Up 28/07/2009 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Information and communications technology (ICT) industries have been hard hit by the economic crisis but vary in the degree to which they have been able to sustain spending on research and development, according to a new report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Now there are signs the worst may be over for the sector if it can benefit from innovation to address social challenges.