Algeria Joins Madrid Protocol, Triggers Global Easing Of Registration Of Marks 26/08/2015 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Trademark applicants should soon be able to make better use of the Madrid system for the registration of international trademarks, the World Intellectual Property Organization has announced. Algeria became the last country to join a protocol to the international trademark system, which will allow the protocol to rule the international registration procedures, making it easier for applicants to get global protection.
Review Of WIPO Development Agenda Implementation Picks Up Pace 26/08/2015 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments An independent review of the World Intellectual Property Organization’s implementation of its 2007 Development Agenda Recommendations is progressing. A team of experts conducting the review, appointed by WIPO in May, just submitted their inception report to WIPO.
WIPO Launches Development Agenda Project In Uganda 25/08/2015 by Hillary Muheebwa for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment KAMPALA, UGANDA – The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has launched a Development Agenda program in Uganda, aimed at building capacity in the use of appropriate technology, specific technical and scientific information to address development challenges in the country.
IP Experts Kick Off UC Berkeley Innovation Centre With Calls For Change 24/08/2015 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA — “There’s one thing we’re very good at in this nation, and that’s innovation,” Tusher Center Director and Professor David Teece said recently in setting the tone for a day of discussions inspired by the launch of the new center at the University of California at Berkeley.
NGOs Call Out Switzerland For Pressuring Colombia On Compulsory Licences; Switzerland Replies 24/08/2015 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Civil society groups are calling on the Swiss government to refrain from putting pressure on developing countries wishing to manufacture generic medicines without the consent of the patent holder. The groups allege that the Swiss government tried to unduly influence Colombia to not take such a step, though it is permitted by international trade rules. The Swiss government, for its part, says it participated in a public consultation in Colombia and merely underlined that negotiations between governments and original manufacturers are a better way to go than a compulsory licence.
USPTO Proposes New PTAB Trial Rules 22/08/2015 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment This week the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) published a proposed rule to amend the existing rules of practice for inter partes review, post-grant review, the transitional program for covered business method patents and derivation proceedings that implemented provisions of the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act (AIA).
Australian Review Of IPR, Competition Balance Draws Mixed Academic Response 21/08/2015 by Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A government-ordered review of Australia’s intellectual property arrangements could either resolve many important and long-standing issues or prove to be yet another political exercise in futility, academics say.
WIPO Director Gurry Highlights Value Of Indigenous Knowledge 21/08/2015 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Indigenous Peoples’ knowledge and creativity is a valuable source of inspiration for all, but might benefit from being better protected, the head of the UN World Intellectual Property Organization said this month. WIPO is currently negotiating an international instrument or instruments to better protect genetic resources, traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions (folklore).
The Intersection Of Trade Secret Law And Social Media Privacy Legislation 20/08/2015 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By Eric F. Barton, Esq., Seyfarth Shaw LLP There is no question that social media privacy issues now permeate the workplace. In an attempt to provide further guidance and regulation in this area, since April 2012, a growing number of state legislatures in the United States have passed various forms of social media privacy legislation. […]
US Postpones Domain Name System Handover At Least A Year, Maybe Four 19/08/2015 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The United States Department of Commerce office planning to relinquish national control over a remaining key component of the internet domain name system has said it will take at least until September 2016, putting off the transition that had been targeted for next month.