US Film Industry (Also) Likes Democrats’ Platform On IP And Internet Freedom 04/09/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) today said that it is “extremely pleased” with the presidential election platform of the Democratic Party, echoing praise the music industry group gave last week to the rival Republican Party.
US Film Industry Praises Republicans On IP And Internet Freedom 30/08/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) today (29 August) issued a statement praising the platform language of the Republican Party, which is opposing President Obama in this year’s presidential election.
Public Library Must Provide Accessible E-Readers Under US Law 29/08/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The United States Justice Department and the National Federation of the Blind have reached a settlement with the Sacramento, California Public Library Authority to fix violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act caused by using Barnes & Noble NOOK electronic reader devices in a patron lending programme. The readers excluded persons who are blind or have other disabilities requiring features such as text-to-speech or access through audio or tactile options. The library will no longer purchase exclusionary devices and has agreed to acquire a set of accessible ones, as well as train staff on the requirements of the disabilities law.
Revolving Door: US Copyright General Counsel Joins Music Industry 29/08/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Continuing the revolving door tradition between the United States government intellectual property and trade officials and the industries they represent, David Carson, general counsel of the US Copyright Office, will join the top international music industry association in September. Carson will assume a role of influencing policymakers in drafting legislation to protect and promote copyright. His is latest in a series of moves blurring US industry and government lines, and extending to the UN.
Isolated DNA Declared Patentable By US Court Of Appeals 17/08/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch 4 Comments The United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit released a decision today (16 August) on the patentability of genes in yet another twist to the so-called Myriad case. At stake was the patentability of two human genes associated with hereditary breast cancer and ovarian cancer. Myriad Genetics’ patents were challenged by the Association for Molecular Pathology.
Global Pharma Calls On ICANN To Act Against Online Counterfeits 28/07/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The international pharmaceutical industry this week released a policy statement targeting counterfeit medicines on the internet. Among the recommendations was for the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) to join the fight.
Innovation And The Law: Some Lessons From The Patent Wars 27/07/2012 by Steven Seidenberg for Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments They’ve been at each other’s throats for three years, and there’s no end in sight. Over two dozen businesses involved with smartphones and tablet computers are suing one another for patent infringement in numerous lawsuits around the world. These patent wars have cost the companies billions of dollars, clogged the courts, and prevented consumers from buying some devices they want with features they prefer. Is this really the best way to promote innovation and competition?
Access To Medicines And Intellectual Property In Jordan 23/07/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments A new study sponsored by the Medicines Transparency Alliance (MeTA) sheds light on the impact of strong intellectual property protection on access to medicines.
IP Exchange ‘Getting Some Teeth’; First Offerings Likely In Autumn 19/07/2012 by Liza Porteus Viana, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A new system to more effectively licence technology and facilitate the trading of intellectual property rights will come online later this year – and an increasing number of countries are taking notice.
Industry Groups Press For EU, US Action On Trade Secret Protection 16/07/2012 by Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments Theft of trade secrets, or “confidential business information,” has reached such an appalling level that legislative action is needed, industry groups say. They’re pushing the European Union and United States to get involved, and may be making headway.