WIPO Seminar Discusses Impact Of TRIPS On Pharmaceutical Innovation 19/06/2013 by Brittany Ngo for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The latest instalment of the World Intellectual Property Organization seminar series titled “The Economics of Intellectual Property” covered the issue of product patents in the pharmaceutical industry. Discussion focussed on the economics of intellectual property rights and how pharmaceutical patent protection might not be the sole culprit in the access to innovation problem.
G8 Hails Trade Deals, Nods To WTO, Issues Declaration On Open Data 18/06/2013 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment In their traditional communiqué, Group of Eight countries at their annual summit welcomed ongoing efforts to negotiate bilateral and multilateral trade deals which they say will allow them to overcome economic uncertainties and shoulder the responsibility to support prosperity worldwide.
WIPO-WTO-WHO Joint Symposium On Medical Innovation In July 14/06/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Three Geneva-based international organisations are continuing their collaboration on issues of health and innovation policy as it cuts across intellectual property rights by planning a 5 July symposium on “changing business models” in medical innovation.
WTO TRIPS Council: Discussion Of Innovation Shows Divergent Views; Tobacco Back On Agenda 13/06/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The impact of intellectual property rights on the transfer of ‘green’ technology was brought up to the World Trade Organization committee on intellectual property this week with divided points of view. In addition, a discussion on cost-effective innovation was criticised by some developing countries as side-tracking the committee’s objectives, and the European Union’s planned revision of its tobacco products directive was disapproved by some producer countries.
LDCs Obtain New Waiver On IP Obligations At WTO, Take It As A Limited Victory 12/06/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 5 Comments World Trade Organization members this week agreed to give least-developed countries an extra eight years to implement international intellectual property protection rules. The decision received a broad support among countries, with some voicing reservations about the negotiation process.
WTO Members Agree On Draft Extension Of TRIPS Transition For LDCs 07/06/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 4 Comments World Trade Organization members today reached a draft decision on a request put forward by least-developed countries to extend the period during which they do not have to comply with international rules of intellectual property rights protection, according to sources. Under the terms of the hard-fought decision, LDCs can benefit from an extension of eight more years.
Protection Of Local GI Products Can Benefit Women, Speakers Say 04/06/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Geographical indications, a European invention, have attracted interest in a number of developing countries. According to several speakers at a recent industry conference on the subject, GIs can provide economic sustainability for rural families. In Africa, two cases were provided to illustrate the role of the valorisation of a particular resource and the ancestral know-how of women, promoting their social and financial autonomy.
Food Culture Clash: EU, US Conflicting Concepts For GIs; Both Covet Asian Market 29/05/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Geographical indications were born in Europe and still remain a widely used means to protect products from a particular region, with particular characteristics. The European Union has been a strong advocate of GIs in international negotiations, while their efforts have been countered by countries such as the United States which favour a trademark system. Now both sides are trying to impose their views through bilateral trade agreements, including with each other, according to speakers at a recent conference. And now a US trade association for generic names is raising concerns in Europe.
GIs The “Darling” of Europe, But Protection A Challenge For All, Producers Say 28/05/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Bordeaux – The challenges for geographical indications in the 21st century were explored at a recent conference co-organised by two organisations promoting this type of intellectual property protection. Among issues presented were the protection of geographical indications, and the value of geographical indications at the European level.
At WTO, LDC Fight For Extension Of TRIPS Transition Continues 24/05/2013 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments Over the past week or so, least-developed country (LDC) members of the World Trade Organization have held their own in a closed room with the world’s biggest economies as they worked out details of a request by the LDCs to extend the deadline by which they must enforce WTO intellectual property rules.