Biopharma Industries, Others Urge Caution In US Patent Reform 12/02/2014 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A coalition of large and small companies and organisation – including the leading trade associations for the US pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries – has asked the US Congress to use caution in rewriting patent laws so as not to cause unintended harm to their ability to innovate.
EU Commission Pushes Internationalisation Of Core Internet Infrastructure 12/02/2014 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Over the revelations of mass surveillance of internet users and government officials, the topic of internet governance has risen to the mainstream political agenda. And a Communication on “Europe’s role in shaping the future of Internet Governance” passed by the European Commission today would put “Europe in the center of the debate,” EC Vice President Neelie Kroes said in a press conference in Brussels.
USTR Announces “Notorious” Markets For Counterfeiting, Piracy In 2013 12/02/2014 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The Office of the United States Trade Representative today published its annual list of online and physical marketplaces worldwide that are most engaged in sales and trafficking of counterfeit and pirated goods.
Alert: Pharma IPR 2014 Conference In Mumbai, 26-28 February 10/02/2014 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Dear Subscribers, CPhI’s 3rd Annual Pharma IPR 2014 conference to take place from 26-28 February, 2014 in Mumbai, India will have techno-legal experts from over 10+ regions speaking on the recent case studies on global Pharma and Biopharma patent laws. Among them, Jeffery Alan Hovden, Partner, Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi LLP from US will be speaking on critical developments in US pharma patent law in the year 2013 which have affected pharma and biopharma industry. He will also share best strategies on how Indian generic-drug and biologics enterprises need to go forward with their US-related projects. Some of the critical concerns he is planning to address include: Which pharmaceutical and diagnostic compounds and processes can even obtain a US patent? Whether the new, cheap and fast patent-challenge procedures are right for Indian companies in the life-sciences area? How to avoid paying the attorney fees for the other side in US litigation and indeed, how an Indian company might turn the tables and have the other side pay the company’s attorney fees? You can view his insights on “US Patent Law in 2013: Winds of Change” by clicking here. To optimise interactions with the audience, he and other global techno-legal experts would also be available in query handling sessions as well as one-on-one meetings, to discuss your concerns related to the US patent system. Click here to go through the detailed programme agenda. You can read more about the conference speakers here. To be a part of this exclusive event, please contact the organisers at +91 (22) 6172 7001 / conferences-india@ubm.com, or register online and take advantage of the special offers for you as you are our subscribers. P.S. You may find one of his earlier presentations on “From Small to Big: Some useful points in the coming shift from customary drugs to biologics” interesting – View the presentation here
EPO Appeals Board Upholds Ruling Limiting Stem Cell Patentability 07/02/2014 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment A European Patent Office (EPO) Boards of Appeal this week handed down a verdict in the area of stem cell patenting that could provide further guidance on what is patentable under the European Patent Convention (EPC) when it comes to biotechnology.
Study Maps Global Distribution Of Genetic Resources In Patented Claims 06/02/2014 by Julia Fraser for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A study of patent activity in the United Kingdom shows widespread global distribution of genetic resources used by UK innovators. The implications of international rules on access and benefit sharing will need to be communicated to these groups, who will among other things have to start assessing their supply chains to ensure full compliance throughout, according to the study author.
EU Parliament Passes Directive On Collective Rights Management, Pan-EU Licences 04/02/2014 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch 5 Comments With 640 of 680 votes, the European Parliament today passed a new directive on “collective management of copyright and related rights and multi-territorial licensing of rights in musical works for online uses in the internal market.” Rarely before has the usually controversial subject of copyright rallied such broad agreement in Parliament.
African Union Backs WIPO DG Candidate Geoffrey Onyeama 03/02/2014 by Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The 54-member African Union last week declared its support for Geoffrey Onyeama as a candidate for director general of the World Intellectual Property Organization.
“No Patents On Seeds” Serves EPO Patent Objection And Free Pepper Soup 03/02/2014 by Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments 32 farmer, breeder and environmental organisations from 26 countries gathered by the “no-patents-on-seeds” alliance today filed an opposition against a patent on an insect-resistant sweet pepper at the European Patent Office in Munich.
Move On Data Protection Or Fail On TTIP, EU Parliament Chair Says 02/02/2014 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments At the Munich Security Conference a year ago, there was a considerable first push for the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). Eight months after the start of official TTIP negotiations and with the Snowden revelations in between, the tone at the 50th edition of the high-level foreign policy event in Munich is somewhat changed.