Qatar WTO Complaint: Saudi, UAE, Bahrain Restrictions Violate IP Rights 04/08/2017 by Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The government of Qatar has requested World Trade Organization dispute settlement consultations with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia over restrictions ranging from goods and services, to airspace, to intellectual property rights. In the filing, Qatar complains the countries are engaging in “coercive attempts at economic isolation.”
New Book Puts WIPO Traditional Knowledge Committee In Perspective 02/08/2017 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A new book with contributions from key thinkers on the subject details the long history and intensive negotiations of the World Intellectual Property Organization committee on genetic resources, traditional knowledge and folklore, making a case for conclusion of binding international agreements in these areas as a way to close gaps in intellectual property policy.
UN Report On Innovative Tech To Achieve SDGs Highlights Role Of E-Commerce, Big Data 13/07/2017 by Peter Kenny for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Access to artificial intelligence, big data, FinTech, eHealth, and digital connectivity are increasingly providing individuals around the world with access to vital resources such as employment opportunities, online banking and healthcare, according to a United Nations report released today.
Launch Of Book On TRIPS And Climate Change 12/07/2017 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment A new book being launched in Geneva next week reflects the growing recognition that the World Trade Organization Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) could play a more important role in the mitigation of climate change, according to the programme of the book launch.
WTO Info Tech Agreement Symposium: Is Expansion To Digital Trade In The Cards? 29/06/2017 by Elise De Geyter for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the World Trade Organization Agreement this week, several speakers and delegates called for a further expansion of the landmark deal, possibly in ways that include digital trade and better incorporate developing countries. Many information and communication technology (ICT) products are not part of the list of products under the ITA, speakers said, and negotiations about an expansion of the list of products may take a long time.
Launch Of Open Access Book On Geographical Indications In Asia-Pacific 29/06/2017 by Elise De Geyter for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A new book launched this week in Geneva offers a unique compilation of the challenges and promises of the protection of geographical indications (GIs) with a particular focus on countries in the Asia-Pacific region.
As Questions Mount Over Future Of IP, Geneva A ‘Particular’ Place For Global Dialogue 23/06/2017 by Elise De Geyter for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment There are still many unanswered questions about intellectual property rights, speakers said during an academic conference last week in Geneva. Think tank analyst and author Pedro Roffe, who was the focal point of the conference, said at the event that there is “particularly in Geneva” place for dialogue about “very important and emerging” IP questions.
TRIPS Council Members: Defining IP Rights And The Public Interest 15/06/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment “Political and economic pressure placed on governments to forgo the use of TRIPS flexibilities violates the integrity and legitimacy of the system of legal duties and rights created by the TRIPS agreement and as reaffirmed by the Doha Declaration,” India told a World Trade Organization committee this week, referring to the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS).
IP And The Public Interest Premieres At WTO TRIPS Council Next Week 07/06/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment It has become a tradition at the World Trade Organization committee on intellectual property to have an agenda item on intellectual property and innovation, and next week’s meeting is no exception. More noticeable on the agenda of the committee next week is an item on intellectual property and the public interest that addresses compulsory licensing.
WTO Annual Report Highlights TRIPS Amendment 02/06/2017 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment “A moment of real historic significance for the World Trade Organization” was the entry into force of the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) together with the amendment to Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), WTO Director-General Roberto Azevêdo said this week.