Confidential Draft Of WHO Cancer Resolution Shows Remaining Issues IP-Related 07/02/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The latest version of a draft resolution on addressing the global rise of cancer negotiated last week at the World Health Organization shows that remaining points are intellectual property-related, but there seems to be agreement on referencing trade flexibilities in the text, even from the United States, and a common goal of lowering prices of treatment. WHO members tried to reach common language during the Executive Board in January but time ran out and discussions are expected to continue until the annual World Health Assembly in May.
The New Caribbean Patent Convention And Caricom Stasis 06/02/2017 by Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments Abiola Inniss writes: The creation of the Caribbean Patent Convention under the auspices of Caricom is a long awaited and most welcome development towards the harmonization of intellectual property laws in the region. Even more importantly, it is an indication that Caricom leadership has at long last, after a lengthy period of stagnation and indeterminacy, finally decided to engage the process of thought and action necessary for the promulgation of a legal and regulatory framework for Caribbean intellectual property. The convention is expected to be enacted later in 2017.
Report Puts Value Of Counterfeit/Pirated Goods At US$2 Trillion By 2022 06/02/2017 by Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments A new report by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the International Trademark Association (INTA) estimates that some US$213 billion was lost to digital piracy in movies, music and software in 2015. The report also projects that by 2022, the total value of counterfeit and pirated goods in the world will reach somewhere between US$1.9 to 2.8 trillion.
Pharma Joins Atomic Energy Agency On Cancer Treatment Training In Poor Countries 06/02/2017 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Seeking to address the growing issue of cancer, and in particular the lack of access to diagnosis and treatment in low and middle-income countries, the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations (IFPMA) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have entered into a collaboration.
Quest For US Termination Of Copyright Made Uncertain By UK Duran Duran Judgment 03/02/2017 by Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Efforts to reclaim rights under the US Copyright Act have increased recently as the window of opportunity for works created in the mid-20th century opens. In comparative cases, Paul McCartney’s decision to take back copyright assignments of his music in the United States appears to have been the right choice but may hang on a questionable UK ruling denying the same request by members of rock group Duran Duran, several intellectual property lawyers said.
WIPO Report Recommends More “Cooperation” Under Patent Cooperation Treaty 03/02/2017 by Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments As it published the three-millionth international patent application under its Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) on 2 February, the World Intellectual Property Office suggested that there may be ways to improve the system in the future.
No Shorter Floor Statements Nor Cap On Agenda Items, Says WHO Board 03/02/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Despite being in a time of tight budgets, the World Health Organization Executive Board meeting which ended this week had its heaviest agenda ever, according WHO Director General Margaret Chan, adding to staff workload and expenses. But the Board finished its work a day early (though after holding three evening sessions), earning praise from Chan. Efforts during the week to make meetings more efficient by limiting agenda items and reducing time allowed for statements fell short. Separately, concerns arose over a leadership advisory group to the WHO director general.
Medicines Issued From EU-Funded Research Should Be Widely Accessible, Groups Say 03/02/2017 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Health advocacy groups called on the European Commission yesterday to change the way it funds research and development for new medicines so that innovations can serve a larger public.
Year Ahead: A Rather Speculative Year In Global Trade 01/02/2017 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment An interesting year lies ahead for trade policymakers. With US President Donald Trump sticking to his “America First” announcement pulling back from the Trans-Pacific Partnership right away, a new trade (world) order might be in the making. In every crisis, there is opportunity, Argentinian Trade Minister Susana Malcora said in Davos during the January World Economic Forum (WEF) where the business elite otherwise traded concerns at the beginning of an unpredictable year 2017.
UN High-Level Panel, Medicines Access Find Foothold At World Health Assembly In May 01/02/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments World Health Organization member states seeking solutions for ensuring medicines access have been looking for ways to get a recent controversial report from the UN headquarters on the WHO agenda. The Executive Board this week heard concerns and left open the possibility that it will come up at the annual World Health Assembly in May.