Shippers Becoming Anti-Counterfeiting Target; Europe Takes Other Measures 03/05/2013 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Istanbul – Counterfeiters are using legitimate supply chains, and shipping companies are unknowingly allowing it and need to take steps to crack down, rights holders’ representatives said at a recent anti-counterfeiting conference. Meanwhile, Europe is undertaking a study of the benefits of IP-intensive industries, and new customs and protection measures.
GIs Rub Against Trademark Protection In WIPO Discussions On Protection 02/05/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments Cognac, porto and tequila are appellations of origin protected under an international agreement managed by the World Intellectual Property Organization. Members of this agreement are seeking to modify it so it attracts a wider membership, in particular by including geographical indications. The exercise, however, is a complicated one as the new agreement has to be in tune with other international agreements, notably the World Trade Organization agreement on intellectual property.
Final Two WTO Director Candidates Highlight Technology And IP 01/05/2013 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The selection process for the next director general of the World Trade Organization is down to two candidates, both from Latin America. Intellectual Property Watch asked them to comment on why they would be the best leader for those interested in technology and intellectual property rights.
Global Public-Private Partnerships Against IP Crimes: How Interpol Avoided The Failures Of WCO And WHO 24/04/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Christopher J. Paun writes: Public-private partnerships (PPPs) are often used as a way of increasing public policy options by tapping into private sector resources. This occurs also in the field of intellectual property. There are several examples of Global PPPs against IP crimes – some more successful than others. Some prominent failures received a lot of attention when PPP activities were stopped following controversy about global IP policy.
The Novartis Decision: A Tale Of Developing Countries, IP, And The Role Of The Judiciary 15/04/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments Ahmed Abdel Latif says of the Novartis case: The ruling is also a revealing tale about the changing role of developing countries in the global intellectual property landscape and the growing influence of the judiciary in these countries in the implementation of international intellectual property rules.
Race For WTO Director General Down To Five Candidates 12/04/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The number of candidates seeking to be the next director general of the World Trade Organization has dropped from nine down to five.
The Judgment In Novartis v. India: What The Supreme Court Of India Said 04/04/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch 9 Comments Following the Indian Supreme Court decision in Novartis AG v. Union of India, Prof. Frederick Abbott says, “the judgment is well-crafted, with close attention to the facts presented, and appears to take a balanced view of the matters brought before the Court.”
East African Community Doubles Efforts To Boost Local Pharmaceutical Production 28/03/2013 by Rachel Marusak Hermann, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Arusha, Tanzania – Pharmaceutical manufacturers in East Africa have joined forces to strengthen their production capacity to meet at least half of the region’s demand for affordable, quality medicines. The East African Community is supporting this ambitious goal through various initiatives, including a regional intellectual property policy to guide partner states on developing national legislation that fosters local pharmaceutical production.
United States Chided As TRIPS Scofflaw At WTO 26/03/2013 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A clause unfairly protecting a rum company’s US market by denying trademark rights quietly stuck into a US Congress appropriations bill in the deep of night in the late 1990s continues to haunt the halls of the World Trade Organization – but that does not seem to trouble US trade authorities. And this is not the only intellectual property-related case being met with US indifference, an irony for possibly the biggest proponent of IP rights in the world.
Innovation, IPR Cooperation Among Top Priorities For BRICS 26/03/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The trade ministers of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) today concluded a framework for cooperation that includes innovation and intellectual property rights, but separately.