Japan Proposes New IP Enforcement Treaty 15/11/2005 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Lyon, France–Japan has proposed an international treaty to combat worldwide counterfeiting and piracy, complementing the World Trade Organization Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS). The proposal came at a 14-15 November conference near Interpol headquarters in Lyon, France, where the TRIPS agreement was characterised by some participants as a minimal pact lacking […]
Workshop Highlights IP Hindrances For Avian Flu Drug Stockpiles 14/11/2005 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Panelists at a Geneva workshop on intellectual property issues related to a possible avian influenza pandemic argued that IP rules and prices could make it difficult for nations to prepare sufficient stockpiles. Panelists argued that practical problems could arise with the application of the World Trade Organization Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights […]
Global Focus Emerges On Avian Flu 08/11/2005 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Strategy for a possible outbreak of avian flu has been elevated from a national to an international level with a high-level meeting on a “plan of action” being held this week at the World Health Organisation. Intellectual property rights are on the agenda, but the focus during the first day and a half was bio-security […]
EU Elevates Geographical Indications As Priority For Hong Kong 28/10/2005 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Geographical indications (GIs) have become a political issue and a key priority for the European Union in the run-up to the December World Trade Organization ministerial in Hong Kong as GIs today officially became part of the EU’s agriculture package. As the EU proposed further cuts in its agriculture sector as part of the current […]
TRIPS Council Issues Still Alive For WTO Ministerial 28/10/2005 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The World Trade Organization committee handling intellectual property issues finished four days of meetings with minimal progress in real terms, but kept several issues alive for the December WTO ministerial in Hong Kong. The WTO Council on the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) met from 25 to 28 October. Issues still […]
Pandemic Fears Raise Questions About WTO Health Waiver Opt-Out 27/10/2005 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment As nations prepare for a possible avian flu pandemic, some observers are raising questions about a seemingly obscure footnote in international trade law under which dozens of governments have agreed not to import cheap generic drugs made for poor countries. The concern is that the provision could make it difficult for those developed countries to […]
US, Switzerland, Japan Launch New WTO Probe On China’s IP Enforcement 26/10/2005 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The United States, Japan and Switzerland have taken bilateral actions through the World Trade Organization to probe China’s intellectual property rights enforcement, despite Chinese objections. The three nations are requesting more transparency based on Article 63.3 of the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS). During the 25 October TRIPS Council meeting, […]
No Agreement On Public Health At TRIPS Council 25/10/2005 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Officials at the World Trade Organization committee responsible for intellectual property issues on Tuesday could not agree on how to permanently change trade law to permit poor countries in need to import drugs made elsewhere under compulsory license. The WTO Council on the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) is under mandate […]
Avian Flu Issues Could Arise At TRIPS Council Meeting 25/10/2005 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Issues surrounding nations’ legal ability to obtain sufficient quantities of patented medicines to protect their people from the spread of avian influenza may be addressed at today’s meeting of the World Trade Organization committee responsible for intellectual property rights matters. The meeting of the WTO Committee on the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property […]
Indian Industry Pushing for Compulsory Licenses for Tamiflu 25/10/2005 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment While Swiss-based Roche, the rights holder to the most-favoured medicine for avian influenza, is pursuing sub-licenses, India is moving ahead with exploring the option of compulsory licensing. If this goes through, India would be able to export Tamiflu to developing countries and certain developed countries. The Indian Cabinet is considering issuing compulsory licenses to local […]