US-EU Transatlantic Trade Deal Would Skip IPRs 21/06/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch 15 Comments The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) yesterday released an interim report with the European Union on ways to expand transatlantic trade and investment. But apparently this would not including trying to bridge differences on intellectual property rights.
Unprecedented Vote: EU Parliament Trade Committee Rejects ACTA 21/06/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments In an unprecedented move, the European Parliament Committee on International Trade (INTA) today in Brussels passed a report recommending the rejection of the controversial Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA). Never before has INTA voted to reject a trade agreement negotiated by the Union.
Study Finds EU Copyright Law Harms Investment In Cloud Computing 19/06/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A technology industry-friendly economic study released today found that changes to European copyright laws in recent years have negatively impacted venture capitalists’ investments in cloud computing companies. This followed several French and German court rulings, it said.
EuroDIG: Will Governments Let Civil Society Rescue Net Governance? 18/06/2012 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments The roles of governments, civil society and industry in ruling the internet – and other spaces – seems to be in a profound change. With governments in cross-border law enforcement situations increasingly unable to protect fundamental rights, as European Parliament Member Marietje Schaake said during a session of the European Dialogue on Internet Governance (EuroDIG) in Stockholm last week, it seems to be civil society that can do something about it.
Plant Patentability Questions Deepen In EPO Tomato Patent Case 13/06/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch 30 Comments While the Enlarged Board of Appeal of the European Patent Office is reviewing the so-called “tomato case,” collateral questions are being raised about the consequences on plant innovation of the non-patentability of some processes.
Promotion: Upcoming Courses And Events Provide Insights Into IP 11/06/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Informa has announced a range of upcoming events and courses on the essential aspects of intellectual property and technology of interest to Intellectual Property Watch readers. Here is the list: Events: IP Dispute Resolution – 28 – 29 June 2012, Grange City Hotel, London, UK European Trademarks 2012 – 3rd July 2012, Grange City Hotel, London, UK Protecting Corporate Information – 5th July 2012, One Drummond Gate, London, UK IT Law Summer School 2012 – 30 July – 3 August 2012, Downing College, Cambridge, UK IP Summer School – 13 – 17 August 2012, Downing College, Cambridge, UK Distance Learning Courses: Computer and Communications Law LLM, PgDip – from Queen Mary, University of London UK, EU & US Copyright Law LLM, PgDip – from King’s College London
EU Negotiators Tentatively Agree On Plan For Orphan Works 09/06/2012 by Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments European Union institutions this week informally agreed on how to handle “orphan works” – those whose creators cannot be found. The proposed new directive is the first legislation to come out of the European Commission (EC) intellectual property rights strategy adopted in May 2011, Internal Market and Services Commissioner Michel Barnier said on 6 June.
Anti-ACTA Protests Expected In Two Dozen Countries; Parliament Opposition Rises 08/06/2012 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment All seems to come down to the numbers on the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement: how many protesters will turn up at the ACTA Action Day in Europe tomorrow and how many members of the European Parliament (EP) will vote for it in plenary on 3 July. Without the EP agreement, ACTA will fail, at least in Europe, observers say.
On Eve Of Protests: Watch ACTA Debate With Key Parliament Members 08/06/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment On the eve of the 9 June Europe-wide protests against the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA), journalist Jennifer Baker of IDG met with Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) Christian Engström (Pirate Party) & Niccolo Rinaldi (ALDE) to discuss the current state of affairs with regard to the ACTA. Watch the video.
IP5 Patent Offices Strengthen Joint Work 06/06/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The heads of the world’s five largest intellectual property offices, who refer to themselves as the IP5, met today to discuss further efforts to improve quality and efficiency in patent examination, and harmonise patent systems. Joining them were industry representatives from each of the regions.