2016: UPOV Works To Improve Breeders’ Applications, Civil Society Calls For Alternative System 09/02/2016 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The Geneva-based International Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) provides intellectual property rights protection for plant breeders. In 2016, the organisation is planning to work on systems to facilitate breeders’ applications for new varieties. Meanwhile, civil society is calling for ways to protect plant varieties other than through UPOV, which they see as hindering farmers’ rights.
Sweden Telecom Official Göran Marby Named To Lead ICANN 09/02/2016 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Senior Swedish official Göran Marby today (8 February) was announced as the new president and CEO of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, succeeding Fadi Chehade who leaves the ICANN to join the World Economic Forum in mid-March. Marby will be the first European to lead ICANN, the internet domain system technical oversight body.
The Zika Virus Challenge: Mapping A Policy Path To Vaccine Development 08/02/2016 by Priti Patnaik for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The lack of preparedness to counter the effects of Zika virus follows a familiar script – a virus known since 1947, but one that has no currently available vaccine or treatments, like many neglected tropical diseases. This case could be illustrative of the wider struggle to finance investments into neglected diseases, but may tell a different story given its rarity of occurrence. It also may demonstrate how the World Health Organization is re-emerging as the global leader on response to outbreaks.
The Year Ahead In Biotechnology And Intellectual Property 08/02/2016 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments The year 2016 promises to be rich in debates on plant patenting, protection of genetic resources and traditional knowledge, and biopharmaceuticals. Here are some key issues and dates to watch for.
Vision, Urgency Of UN High-Level Panel On Access To Medicines Begins To Take Shape 05/02/2016 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 4 Comments NEW YORK — It came as a surprise to some when the United Nations Secretary General’s office announced in November the setting up of a high level panel to urgently address access to medicines and other health technologies. After all, UN agencies in Geneva, most notably the World Health Organization, have been working on these issues for years. Yesterday at the UN in New York, an event was held to explain some of the vision and urgency behind the setting up of the panel, which includes an expert committee of representatives of some 10 international organisations and others. It also includes an open online call for contributed ideas until 18 February, and two public hearings.
Special Feature: WHO Still On Trail Of New Financing For R&D For Poor Populations’ Medical Needs 04/02/2016 by Catherine Saez and William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment World Health Organization members are expected to meet this spring to assess progress and discuss potential solutions to the lack of financing for research and development for diseases affecting primarily developing countries. The WHO Executive Board last week discussed and noted a report by the WHO secretariat for the preparation of the open-ended meeting. The exact date of the meeting is not certain, according to WHO officials, but would likely be in March or April.
China Continues High Growth In IP Filing, But Is There More To The Story? 04/02/2016 by Jahan Harry Taubman-Rezakhanlou for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Sheer intellectual property filings may not be the only or even best measure of innovation, but they are a closely watched economic indicator. Using what data it has, the World Intellectual Property Organization recently touted China’s continued massive growth in this area, particularly in patent applications.
200 Companies, Organisations Worldwide Promote Stronger Encryption 04/02/2016 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Nearly 200 organisations, companies and others from 42 countries have signed an open letter to the international community demanding that stronger encryption tools be allowed to be developed and used. The letter describes encryption tools and services as vital components of maintaining a secure digital environment, where if users are allowed to use the strongest forms of encryption it can allow for the safest and most efficient ways to communicate across borders.
Wired – UNICEF Invests $9m In ‘Open Source’ Tech To Save Children’s Lives 03/02/2016 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The United Nations will fund 60 startups to create open source technologies to improve the lives of children in developing countries. Unicef, the children’s charity run by the UN, will channel more than $9 million into startups based on venture capital-style investing. But it isn’t concerned if the companies fail.
European Data Protection Officers On Privacy Shield Announcement: Please Send Text! 03/02/2016 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment A day after the European Commission announced an agreement with US authorities for a “Privacy Shield” as a follow-up mechanism for the invalidated Safe Harbour Agreement, the Article 29 Working Party of European Union data protection officers said they need to see the written text before making their final assessment.