WIPO Governments Push On New Folklore Treaty Text; Indigenous Peoples Disappointed 13/07/2012 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments After a late start, delegates at the World Intellectual Property Organization today are trying to make up for lost time in an attempt to draft a potential treaty text to protect traditional cultural expressions on the last day of a weeklong meeting. The first revision of draft articles was issued yesterday at the end of the afternoon. The status of Indigenous Peoples was also examined by delegates the day before without much interest.
Traditional Cultural Expressions Talks Back On Track At WIPO 10/07/2012 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Delegates at the World Intellectual Property Organization today finally adopted the agenda of the 22nd session of the Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore (IGC), and started work. But not before being sharply reminded of their duty in representing the public.
WIPO Folklore Committee Stuck In Starting Blocks; Indigenous Peoples Wave UN Declaration 09/07/2012 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments On opening day of weeklong meeting of the World Intellectual Property Organization committee on the protection of folklore, what was characterised as a procedural matter by the chair kept delegates in informal consultations most of the day without reaching a compromise on the agenda. And at the outset, a panel of Indigenous Peoples reminded delegates of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and called for considerations of the Declaration during this week’s negotiations.
WIPO Committee Makes Last Run At Folklore Treaty Text Before Annual Assembly 06/07/2012 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The last session of the World Intellectual Property Organization committee on the protection of folklore before the annual General Assembly promises to be lively as the prospect of a potential treaty exacerbates stronghold positions. The treaty fervently supported by developing countries as a way to protect their cultural heritage and biodiversity has met a more cautious view from developed countries.
Switzerland Most Innovative Economy, Global Divide Persists, Says WIPO/INSEAD Index 03/07/2012 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The Global Innovation Index 2012 launched today by the World Intellectual Property Organization and INSEAD shows a clear innovation divide in world economies. It advises countries to maintain their efforts to support and foster innovation despite the lingering economic crisis, as a key element of sustainable growth.
WIPO Lauded For New Beijing Treaty On Audiovisual Performances 29/06/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments The UN World Intellectual Property Organization is centre stage when it comes to international IP policymaking, and has hosted great progress during the past 20 years by all accounts. But apart from updates and modifications to existing treaties, and its 2007 Development Agenda, its members have not managed to complete a major new treaty since 1996. Until now.
Licensing, Generic Competition Needed To Drive Down HIV Drug Prices, Speakers Say 28/06/2012 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The accessibility and affordability of drugs in developing countries depend on robust generic competition and would benefit from greater transparency in the terms and conditions of licensing agreements, the acting head of the Medicines Patent Pool said on a panel at the World Intellectual Property Organization that included a speaker from the Indian generics industry and a representative of Gilead Sciences.
Meryl Streep, Other Top Actors, Urge WIPO To Finish Audiovisual Treaty 21/06/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments World Intellectual Property Organization members yesterday resumed a 12-year-old top-level negotiation for a treaty on the protection of performers’ rights in audiovisual productions, this time with the eloquent urgings of some of the world’s top film and television actors to finish the job.
Former WIPO Director Idris Reported Arrested In Sudan 20/06/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment According to local press reports, the former director general of the World Intellectual Property Organization, Kamil Idris, was arrested by security forces last week in Sudan on unknown charges.
File Sharing More Opportunity Than Burden, Says Speaker At WIPO 19/06/2012 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The music industry often claims that unauthorised file sharing online is ripping off artists and the economy to the tune of billions of dollars. Although such file-sharing is impacting sales, the losses are grossly overestimated by industry, according to a professor speaking last week at the World Intellectual Property Organization, who also said illegal downloading could prompt untapped markets for complementary products and services.