The Novartis Decision: A Tale Of Developing Countries, IP, And The Role Of The Judiciary 15/04/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments Ahmed Abdel Latif says of the Novartis case: The ruling is also a revealing tale about the changing role of developing countries in the global intellectual property landscape and the growing influence of the judiciary in these countries in the implementation of international intellectual property rules.
EU General Court Clears Copyright Collecting Societies Of Antitrust Charges 12/04/2013 by Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment European copyright collecting societies are not engaged in a cartel but the European Commission was correct in finding that some of the provisions in their reciprocal representation should be barred, the EU General Court (GC) said in a 12 April ruling. The case, which pits the International Confederation of Societies and Authors (CISAC) and 24 of its members against the EC, could be appealed to the EU Court of Justice (ECJ). CISAC said the decision proves its contention that it was not engaged in a conspiracy to restrict competition, and that it has already done away with the complained-of clauses. Separately, the ECJ has been asked to tackle several key issues in a German matter involving standards-essential patents encumbered with a fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory (FRAND) licensing agreement.
New SMS Tool To Report Non-Tariff Trade Barriers At African Borders 12/04/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Small traders and businesses facing barriers to moving goods across African borders now can send a mobile phone text message alert that could help resolve the problems more quickly.
Reports: Obama’s Proposed 2014 Budget Favours Patent Office, R&D, Generic Drugs 11/04/2013 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment US President Barack Obama yesterday released his proposed budget for fiscal year 2014, and according to reports it would give the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) control over its revenues, and would be mixed for the biopharmaceutical industry while taking several steps to boost generic medicines.
Community Right To Access Unpublished Works Trumps Moral Rights Of Heir, Argentine Court Says 11/04/2013 by Maximiliano Marzetti for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment In a recent decision, Ediciones de la Flor SA c. Fontanarrosa Franco s. Acción Mere Declarativa (File No. 1420/08), the Court of First Instance in Civil and Commercial Matters No. 12 of Rosario, the second largest city in Argentina, ruled that the rights of the community to access unpublished works of a deceased author are superior to the moral rights of one of his heirs to oppose such publication.
South Korea Military Fights High Price Of Patented R&D 10/04/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Korea Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) Commissioner Young-min Kim has joined military leaders and patent attorneys in signing a “Working agreement for the building of a military intellectual property (IP) ecosystem.” A key aim is to avoid high-cost private-sector patent monopolies on military R&D.
New Draft Traditional Knowledge Bill Published In South Africa 10/04/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments An alternative South African bill on the protection of traditional knowledge has been published in the official Government Gazette, and it would create a new system of intellectual property right specific to TK, according to South Africa experts.
North American Universities Seen Failing To Promote Socially Responsible Licensing 05/04/2013 by Rachel Marusak Hermann, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A student group is holding top research universities in the US and Canada accountable for how much they are – or are not – contributing to global public health. According to a recently released report by Universities Allied for Essential Medicines, a non-profit organisation, most institutions are falling short when it comes to investing in neglected diseases and promoting access to medicines.
African Regional Plant Variety Protection Draft Legislation Raises Protest 05/04/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment A draft protocol for the protection of new varieties of plants proposed by an inter-governmental African regional economic community is provoking the ire of civil society concerned about the potential impact of the protocol on small farmers, and the lack of consultation of farmers.
The Judgment In Novartis v. India: What The Supreme Court Of India Said 04/04/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch 9 Comments Following the Indian Supreme Court decision in Novartis AG v. Union of India, Prof. Frederick Abbott says, “the judgment is well-crafted, with close attention to the facts presented, and appears to take a balanced view of the matters brought before the Court.”