Latest Draft From WIPO Informal Negotiations On TK, Genetic Resources 11/10/2017 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment A new draft emerged today, the last day of the negotiations, on renewal of the mandate of a World Intellectual Property Organization committee on protection of genetic resources and traditional knowledge.
WIPO Members Wrestle With Proposed Delay In Increasing Retirement Age 11/10/2017 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Among the hot issues at this year’s annual World Intellectual Property Organization Assemblies is a proposal by WIPO to delay compliance with a United Nations-wide mandate to raise retirement age from 62 to 65 for those who started employment before 2014, supposed to go into effect on 1 January. WIPO’s proposal to wait 3 years to raise the age for those who joined the organisation is intended to open up dozens of posts that can then be filled with workers holding other skills deemed more needed as the global IP system has changed.
WIPO Faces Resistance To Ensuring Equal Treatment For LGBT Staff 11/10/2017 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The World Intellectual Property Organization is an international organisation based in Geneva, focused mainly on technical and legal issues of patents, trademarks and the like. But it is also a specialised agency of the United Nations, with over 1,000 employees. At its annual General Assemblies this week, an issue has arisen at WIPO that serves as a reminder of the complexities of UN membership.
Clock Ticking For WIPO Assembly To Agree On Budget, Design Treaty, Genetic Resources 10/10/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment This morning no breakthroughs were reported by delegates chairing informal meetings to reach consensus before the end of the annual World Intellectual Property Organization General Assembly tomorrow. Agreement still has to be reached on the most political issues, such as the budget, the mandate of the committee on genetic resources and traditional knowledge, and where the next WIPO field offices will be hosted. Also under discussion is the composition of one of WIPO’s governing bodies, challenged by the Asia and Pacific Group, which wants more seats.
New Draft Text On Mandate For WIPO Committee On Genetic Resources, TK 10/10/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Delegates rushing against time to find agreement on the next mandate of the Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore (IGC) are considering a third draft decision, issued this morning.
WIPO Lisbon System: Fee Schedule, Common Regulations, Contributions To Quell Deficit 10/10/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment In a quest to address the projected deficit of a World Intellectual Property Organization treaty protecting geographical indications, treaty members have been gathering funds to try to eliminate the deficit. Separately last week, the treaty union annual assembly approved a fee schedule and regulations applying both to the treaty and its 2015 Act.
WIPO’s Program And Budget Stand-Off Highlights That Member States Must Act On WIPO’s Governance System 09/10/2017 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment As the WIPO Annual Assemblies draw to a close this week, governments face a dramatic stand-off over the organisation’s biennial Program and Budget. Unless a series of its demands regarding the organisation’s financing and treaty-making processes are met, the United States is refusing to approve the WIPO budget – a decision Member States normally take by consensus. While sparring among governments over the budget and content of a UN organisation’s programs is not unusual, the debate at WIPO this year highlight challenges at the heart of its governance system, writes Carolyn Deere.
WIPO Upgrades Its Whistleblower Policy 09/10/2017 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The United Nations World Intellectual Property Organization has upgraded its whistleblower policy, coming more into line with best practices for protecting employees from retaliation for reporting alleged misconduct in the organisation. Time will tell if the changes to the policy will prove effective.
WIPO Assembly Snapshot: Decisions Adopted; Budget, Traditional Knowledge, Designs Still On Table 09/10/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment With three days remaining at the annual World Intellectual Property Organization General Assembly, delegates are still seeking agreement on the 2018/2019 budget, the mandate of the committee on the protection of genetic resources and traditional knowledge, and an update to the international treaty on design law. A number of decisions have however been approved, as WIPO committees reported on their activities.
Correa: Academics Disagree With Assumptions About IP, Innovation And Development 09/10/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment General assumptions saying that intellectual property protection leads to development through the promotion of innovation are not supported by academic research, a well-known professor said last week at the World Intellectual Property Organization. Only countries at a certain level of development can truly benefit from IP protection, he said.