EU Council Green-Lights Trade Secrets Directive 27/05/2016 by Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The European Union trade secrets directive passed its final hurdle on 27 May when EU governments backed compromise text approved by the European Parliament on 14 April. Once the law has been formally published, member states will have up to two years to incorporate its provisions into domestic law.
Leaked EU Document Lays Out Major Evaluation Of EU Drug Pricing 25/05/2016 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 7 Comments The 28 European Union member governments are preparing to request the European Commission to conduct an in-depth evaluation of the availability and affordability of EU medicinal products that could lead to changes in R&D and pricing models. An apparent first-of-its-kind, the assessment would look at market and data exclusivity, supplementary protection certificates, and intellectual property issues, according to an alleged copy of the draft Council conclusions obtained by Intellectual Property Watch.
European Commission Floats Broad Package Of Reforms For Digital Single Market 25/05/2016 by Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The European Commission today unveiled a raft of strategies aimed at boosting the European Digital Single Market (DSM). Among them, the EC rejected the idea of imposing one-size-fits-all rules on online platforms but said it will consider sector-specific regulation to address specific problems relating to such platforms, including in the area of copyright.
Bid To Overturn UK Plain Packaging Rules Dismissed – BBC 20/05/2016 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment From the BBC: Uniform packaging rules for tobacco will be introduced in the United Kingdom on Friday after a legal challenge against the new law was dismissed by the High Court.
Washington Post- Colombia Battles World’s Biggest Drugmaker Over Cancer Drug 19/05/2016 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment [From the Washington Post] BOGOTA, Colombia — Colombia’s government is giving pharmaceutical giant Novartis a few weeks to lower prices on a popular cancer drug or see its monopoly on production of the medicine broken and competition thrown open to generic rivals.
Amid Global Push For Tobacco Plain Packaging, IP And Health Rights Bog Down Africa 19/05/2016 by Munyaradzi Makoni for Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments CAPE TOWN, South Africa — Plain packaging is considered unattractive among marketers, loss-making for industries, and a healthy life promoter for governments and the public. The potent mix to balance profits, safeguard jobs and cut illnesses has made it a controversial solution to curb smoking. As it grows in popularity around the world, how is plain packaging faring in Africa?
EU Eyes Revamp Of Policy To Speed Drug Approvals In Developing Countries 17/05/2016 by Tatum Anderson for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Article 58, a process introduced by the European Commission to help speed up the time low and middle-income countries take to approve new drugs, could be in for a massive overhaul. A revamp has been proposed because it is underused – just a handful of products have gone through the Article 58 process since its launch in 2004. The most recent is an antiseptic chlorhexidine gel that prevents new-born umbilical cord infections in developing countries. A joint project between GSK and Save the Children, it was approved late last month.
Business Report On Adjudicating IP Disputes In Specialised Jurisdictions Worldwide 16/05/2016 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has released a report that examines specialised intellectual property courts around the world.
Over 70 Groups Urge EU Telecom Regulators To Uphold Net Neutrality 05/05/2016 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Dozens of civil society organisations this week sent a letter urging European telecommunications regulators to preserve internet neutrality in their current negotiations about the future of the internet in Europe.
Alleged Leaked TTIP Report Reveals Differences, Convergence On IP Issues 03/05/2016 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments This week’s high-profile alleged leak of recent texts of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) negotiation between Europe and the United States sent a shockwave in policy circles. Below, Intellectual Property Watch highlights some of the IP-related elements in the text.