Senate Takes Up Patent Reform; Chairman Vows To Fight Amendments 07/09/2011 by Liza Porteus Viana, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The United States Senate on Tuesday was debating patent reform legislation that would make the first significant reforms to the US patent system in nearly 60 years.
US Patent Reform Cleared For Senate Vote, Likely This Week 07/09/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The United States Senate voted to invoke cloture and limit debate on patent reform Tuesday night, with a vote of 93-5. The measure, HR 1249, the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act, now will go to the Senate floor for debate and final passage; a vote could happen as early as Thursday.
US Chamber Urges More IP Protection As Job Booster; Tech Supporters Disagree 07/09/2011 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The United States Chamber of Commerce this week released a letter urging the US government to take a series of steps to boost jobs in America, including passing controversial legislation to allow the US to unilaterally crack down on international websites it deems to be in violation of US intellectual property rights. But not everyone agrees this is the best approach.
Indian Supreme Court To Hear Novartis Challenge To India’s Patent Law 06/09/2011 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 6 Comments The Indian Supreme Court today is expected to hear Swiss pharmaceutical company Novartis’ case against a provision of Indian patent law aimed at preventing the extension of drug patents for minor changes in existing products, a practice known as evergreening.
US Justice Dept Files Antitrust Lawsuit Against AT&T / T-Mobile Merger 31/08/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The United States Department of Justice today announced it has filed an antitrust lawsuit to block US telecommunications company AT&T from acquiring one of its top rivals, Deutsche Telekom’s T-Mobile. The Justice Department cited likely harm to innovation and consumers as reasons.
UK Copyright Modernisation Effort Picks Up Steam 31/08/2011 by Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Efforts to modernise Britain’s creaking copyright regime sped up over the summer as the government accepted recommendations for major changes to the system, Parliament opened an inquiry into the matter, and the Intellectual Property Office said updating the rules could significantly boost the UK economy.
EPIP Brussels Event Looks At Current Issues In IP Policy 24/08/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The annual conference of the European Policy for Intellectual Property Association on 8-9 September in Brussels will bring together leading figures in the international IP community to look at contemporary issues in IP policy.
Autumn Brings Personnel Changes In Geneva 12/08/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The annual summer shuffle of the mission staff in Geneva has been particularly active this year for those with responsibility for intellectual property rights, with several key diplomats packing their bags, and new ones arriving.
Alto Funcionário Discute Sobre Renúncia Ao Seu Cargo Na ANVISA, No Brasil, Devido à Política Sobre Patentes 11/08/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments Luis Carlos Wanderley Lima, funcionário sênior responsável pela política brasileira que expressa a opinião do Ministério da Saúde no referente à análise de pedidos de patente que possam ocasionar um impacto na saúde pública, renunciou recentemente em protesto contra as modificações na mencionada política. Em uma sessão de perguntas e respostas com a Intellectual Property Watch, ele conversou com relação a sua decisão.
Top Official Discusses Resignation From Brazil’s ANVISA Over Patent Policy 11/08/2011 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Luis Carlos Wanderly Lima, a senior official responsible for Brazil’s policy of giving a voice to its health ministry in the examination of patent applications with potential impact on public health, recently resigned in protest about changes to the policy. In a Q&A with Intellectual Property Watch, he discussed his decision.