Q&A With Newly Appointed KIPO Commissioner 24/09/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Ho-Won Kim, the newly appointed commissioner of the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), discussed his views on KIPO’s major policies in a recent exchange with Intellectual Property Watch. He explained the directions KIPO will take on international cooperation, examination pendency periods, and other issues, such as what the international dispute between Samsung Electronics and Apple means for companies worldwide.
UN Sanctions Committee Finds No Violation In WIPO Shipments To North Korea 24/09/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The World Intellectual Property Organization did not violate United Nations sanctions on North Korea when it shipped computers and equipment to the country as technical assistance, a UN sanctions committee has found. It did suggest that WIPO should have consulted the committee before making the shipments, but accepted WIPO’s plan for review and consultation in the future.
A Look At Who’s Who In Geneva IP Policymaking And Beyond 24/09/2012 by Rachel Marusak Hermann, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Doesn’t it always seem like as soon as you know who covers what at the permanent missions in Geneva, terms end, new assignments begin and you’re left exchanging business cards again? Well, we have it sorted with a substantial (but non-exhaustive) list of delegates responsible for IP issues this year in the world’s centre of diplomacy. Additionally, you’ll find the latest IP people news across national and regional governments, nonprofit organisations, and the private sector.
Decision on WIPO Design Treaty Left To General Assembly; Internet Issue Dropped 21/09/2012 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments World Intellectual Property Organization delegates today were unable agree to recommend to the upcoming WIPO General Assembly to convene a high-level treaty negotiation on industrial designs. Work on draft treaty articles demonstrated good spirit, according to the committee chair, but experts could not agree on the timeframe. The committee, meanwhile, reached agreement on further work on the protection of country names, and quietly dropped the role of internet intermediaries in trademark protection from the meeting agenda.
Opposing Views: The Impact Of Canada’s Access Copyright Decision 21/09/2012 by Nancy Situ for Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments One of the five Canadian Supreme Court cases handed down in mid-July considered whether photocopying by kindergarten to grade 12 teachers constitutes fair dealing. Since then, opinions have varied on whether the decision represents a broadening of the fair dealing doctrine or simply fact-specific guidance.
WIPO: Protection Of Country Names Inspires Delegates; Designs Conference Elusive 20/09/2012 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The use of a country name by third party with no association with the country can have a severe impact on a developing country’s economy, according to the governments of Jamaica and Barbados. The two Caribbean nations are asking this week that the World Intellectual Property Organization undertake a study on the protection of country names in the context of the WIPO Standing Committee on the Law of Trademarks, Industrial Designs and Geographical Indications (SCT).
A Brief Look At Botswana’s New IP Law 20/09/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Botswana’s new industrial property act, which came into force earlier this month, has been applauded by IP commentators as an important step in the development of a strong IP system that is in line with international trends. Copies of the new law and implementing regulations are below.
Hope To Advance Industrial Design Treaty At WIPO Meets Reluctance From Developing Countries 19/09/2012 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment World Intellectual Property Organization Director General Francis Gurry set the tone at the 18 September opening of a WIPO committee on industrial designs, calling on countries to keep the treaty-signing momentum built up last June with the adoption of the Beijing Treaty on Audiovisual Performances. However, developing countries have been reluctant to engage in an international treaty on industrial designs and this week delegates will have to agree on how to pursue discussions on the subject.
Internet Providers, Trademarks Owners Need Collaboration And Trust, WIPO Panel Says 18/09/2012 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The responsibility of internet intermediaries in cases of intellectual property rights infringement has long been debated. Wedged between rights holders and internet users, intermediaries are asked to provide surveillance from the first and to preserve an open internet by the second. An information meeting organised by the World Intellectual Property Organization tried to gather different points of view on the role and responsibility of internet intermediaries in the area of trademarks.
US Ambassador Sees Hope For WIPO Visually Impaired Treaty This Year 13/09/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment United States Ambassador Betty King told a gathering of journalists at the US mission yesterday of the important work being done at the international institutions under her responsibility in Geneva, including the World Intellectual Property Organization and World Health Organization.