Is ACTA Dying And Are G8 Countries Reacting To Its Impending Death? 15/04/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments Rapporteurs for three committees of the European Parliament (Legal, Industry and Trade, and International Trade) have tabled reports or announced what they will propose on the plurilateral Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA). And the Group of 8 may have signalled a shift to a narrower approach on intellectual property rights at its meeting last week.
Honduras Files WTO Dispute Case Vs. Australia Over Tobacco IPR 04/04/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Honduras announced today it has requested formal consultations with Australia under the World Trade Organization dispute settlement procedures, charging that Australia’s public health law requiring tobacco to be sold in plain packaging violates the WTO intellectual property agreement.
Novartis India Challenge Postponed To July 28/03/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The Indian Supreme Court today postponed hearing the high-profile case involving Swiss pharmaceutical producer Novartis’ challenge of India’s patent law until July, according to sources.
New Chair For WTO GI Register Talks Seeks New Ideas 23/03/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment With general instructions from the December ministerial to change tactics in negotiations, the new chair of World Trade Organization special sessions on creating a geographical indications register for wines and spirits is calling on members for ideas.
WHO Head Urges Global Support For Australia In Fight Against Tobacco 22/03/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment World Health Organization Director-General Margaret Chan has issued a call for global support of Australia in defending its “plain packaging” tobacco law against an onslaught of legal challenges from the tobacco industry. The industry has cited trademark concerns as a top issue.
WTO Special Session On GI Register Meets This Week 20/03/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The World Trade Organization group discussing the mandated establishment of a register for wines and spirits geographical indications will meet this week to elect a new chair.
Global Business Stands Up For Multilateral Trade At WTO 16/03/2012 by Rachel Marusak Hermann, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The global business community this week re-committed its support to governments in multilateral trade negotiations in the hopes of overcoming the Doha Round stalemate. Business and trade experts from more than 20 countries gathered at the World Trade Organization for a first conference bringing private sector perspectives to international trade.
Ukraine WTO Trademark Dispute Vs. Australia Tests Public Health Measures 14/03/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments Ukraine yesterday filed a World Trade Organization dispute settlement case against Australia for its 2011 law requiring plain packaging on tobacco in an effort to address the severe public health problem related to its use. The case could represent an important measure of the power of trade interests versus public health decisions by governments.
India Grants First Compulsory Licence, For Bayer Cancer Drug 12/03/2012 by Maricel Estavillo for Intellectual Property Watch 8 Comments In a move welcomed by many in the international community, India has granted an application, its first, from a homegrown generic drug maker to manufacture and sell a patented cancer drug under a compulsory licence.
ACTA Debated At WTO; Petitions And Letters Fly In Brussels 29/02/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments While action on the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement is occurring at the European Parliament in Brussels – including a new letter from Members of Parliament and 2.5 million petitioners in opposition – ACTA also was the subject of discussion at the World Trade Organization this week.