WIPO Hosts Widely Represented Discussion On Vaccine Innovation And Access 09/11/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment A well-represented set of experts this week held discussions on the current situation of access to vaccines, the market, the role of pharmaceutical companies, and partnerships. Vaccines were not a field much affected by patents in the past, but the situation has changed and new vaccines are now covered by intellectual property, which might constitute a barrier to access, according to speakers.
WIPO Trademark Committee Agrees On Work Programme For GIs, Action On Country Names 02/11/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Statements were praiseful at the close of the World Intellectual Property Organization committee on trademarks, industrial designs, and geographical indications meeting this week. After a number of unsuccessful past sessions, delegates agreed on a work programme on geographical indications. They also decided on a half-day information session on the examination by trademark offices of requests including country names, during the next session of the committee.
WIPO Committee Meets Next Week To Discuss Country Name Trademarks, Icons, GIs 27/10/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The World Intellectual Property Organization committee on trademark, industrial designs and geographical indications meets next week. Among the issues expected to be discussed are whether and how country names should be protected in trademark applications and on the internet. The committee also will consider again deepening its understanding of how GIs are protected at national and regional level, whether through trademarks or a sui generis system. And on the agenda next week is an information session on new technology designs, such as icons and type fonts used on internet, social media, smart phones and tablets.
“WTO Must Not Be The Odd One Out” – Members Revive Talks On GIs, Genetic Resources 19/10/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Members of a 2008 World Trade Organization coalition are trying to rekindle a negotiation to provide the same level of protection granted to wines and spirits to other geographical indications, and to grant intellectual property protection to genetic resources and traditional knowledge. The discussion might not make it to the December WTO ministerial, but the group hopes to open a “fresh window” for discussion.
WIPO-Pharma Patent Database Started With Industry In Early 2017 17/10/2017 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment A newly announced partnership between the UN World Intellectual Property Organization and the international pharmaceutical industry to set up a database of medicines patents announced this month to the surprise of governments and civil society was an idea originally brought to WIPO by a group of companies in February of this year. Now they appear to be encouraging others to join in.
Early Whispers Of Next WIPO Director General Election Cycle 16/10/2017 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment It’s safe to say most delegates at the annual World Intellectual Property Organization General Assemblies this month gave no thought to the next election for the director general of the UN agency. It’s not surprising, as it is still years away and was not on the agenda this year. But it was surprising to hear a few delegates in the hallways utter the first very early whispers about what the next election might look like. So Intellectual Property Watch talked to delegates and looked at the possible timeline for the next election for the top post at WIPO.
WIPO General Assembly Wrap: Many Decisions Made, But External Offices, Design Treaty Left Hanging 13/10/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment After an intense 10 days of negotiations, World Intellectual Property Organization delegates this week managed to close all items of the organisation’s annual General Assemblies, with major decisions taken, such as the approval of the 2018/2019 budget, and a new mandate and work programme for the committee on the protection of genetic resources and traditional knowledge. However the inability to decide at the ambassador level which countries would host new WIPO field offices, and on the convening of a high-level negotiation to conclude a treaty on industrial designs, led to some teeth grinding.
WIPO: New 2-Year Mandate For Traditional Knowledge Committee; Design Law Treaty Stalls 12/10/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Late tonight on the last day of the annual World Intellectual Property Organization General Assembly, delegates agreed on a mandate and a work programme of the committee seeking ways to protect genetic resources, traditional knowledge, and folklore from misuse and misappropriation. Meanwhile, no agreement was found on the convening of a high-level negotiating meeting for a new treaty on industrial designs.
WIPO Delegates Agree On Budget For 2 Years; US Still Vigilant On GI Treaty 11/10/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment On the last day of the annual World Intellectual Property Organization General Assembly, delegates today found a way to agree on the issues blocking the adoption of the 2018/2019 budget. In particular delegates found a way to address requests made by the United States on the program and budget, notably on the financing of the WIPO agreement protecting geographical indications.
New Members But No Structural Change In WIPO Program And Budget Committee – For Now 11/10/2017 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Despite an effort by the Asia and Pacific Group countries to increase their representation, the geographical distribution of membership of the powerful World Intellectual Property Organization Program and Budget Committee remained the same at the completion of discussions at the annual WIPO General Assembly tonight. But WIPO members did agree to begin consideration of the composition of the committee.