Pharma Backs Calls For Extension Of TRIPS Deadline For Least-Developed Countries 10/02/2011 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Developed country pharmaceutical companies today announced their support for an extension of the deadline for poor countries to comply with a global trade agreement on intellectual property rights that would significantly raise their obligations to protect IP. The extension idea has been proposed by the United Kingdom government in a new trade strategy document.
Counterfeit Congress Gives Nod To Developing Country Concerns 04/02/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 4 Comments PARIS – Sustainable development made what some described as a welcome intrusion at the global congress on counterfeiting and piracy during a dedicated session on Wednesday, with discussions on how to conduct enforcement efforts while taking into account developing country specificities.
WTO Geographical Indications Talks Tiptoe; Substantive Discussion Coming 28/01/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments After more than a decade of stalled negotiations, World Trade Organization members have entered into a debate about creating a register for the international protection of wines and spirits with place names.
Top IP-Watch Stories Of 2010: Copyright Fights, ACTA, Medicines Access 30/12/2010 by William New and Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment At Intellectual Property Watch, a list of the top 25 posts of 2010 reveals your – our readers’ – top interests and tells the tale of the past year. It also is a reminder that quality reporting needs support. Please subscribe to IP-Watch via our website, or contact the director at wnew@ip-watch.ch.
US Industrial Policies, R&D, And The WTO’s Definition Of Non-Actionable Subsidies 23/12/2010 by Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments The US organizes a sophisticated industrial policy regime by exploiting an exception in the World Trade Organization agreement that allows governments to subsidize research and development carried out by private firms, writes Professor Fred Block.
Both Sides Of US Copyright Wars Reloading For 2011 20/12/2010 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Two sides of the ongoing struggle to balance stronger copyright protection and access to knowledge in the United States are re-arming themselves for battle in 2011. By the looks of it, it could be a litigious New Year.
Efforts To Limit Effects Of TRIPS In India Might Not Be Working, Study Says 17/12/2010 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Strategies may be failing to ensure developing countries’ implementation of global trade rules for intellectual property protection does not squelch access to affordable medicines worldwide, according to a study presented this week.
WTO Members Discuss GIs As EU Proposes Higher Regional Protection 13/12/2010 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment World Trade Organization members last week agreed to work on a draft text for an international register of geographical indications for wines and spirits by April 2011. Meanwhile, the European Commission took steps last week to raise GI protection within the region.
WIPO Members Move To Detailed Talks Toward Folklore Treaty 11/12/2010 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments Delegates negotiating early stages of a treaty on traditional cultural expressions this week got down to details of what to protect, from whom and how in late-night drafting sessions at the World Intellectual Property Organization, and found a work plan for the immediate future on genetic resources as well. Meanwhile, indigenous groups continued to raise concerns about the process.
Does EU-India FTA Serve Mutual Interests? Policymakers, NGOs Disagree 10/12/2010 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments The proposed European Union-India free trade agreement was one of the top issues at the 11th EU-India Summit held in Brussels today. But two sides of the story are being told about who will benefit or lose.