EFF Examples Of Public Benefit Of Wikileaks 11/01/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The Electronic Frontier Foundation has posted several examples of benefits to the public of disclosures of confidential documents by Wikileaks. Details here.
The 2011 Drug Patent ‘Cliff’ And The Evolution Of IP Valuation 11/01/2011 by Liza Porteus Viana, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment In today’s global economy, there is an increasing convergence of intellectual property and finance. Wall Street is grappling with how to recognise the true value of a firm’s intellectual property. Companies are realising that simply accumulating patents does not necessarily increase their firms’ value, but it is how those patents are used that can attract capital. And drug companies facing massive numbers of upcoming patent expiries, a deflated economy and other market pressures, are looking to diversify their portfolios to stay in the black.
The Top Legal IP Issues In The United States In 2011 07/01/2011 by Steven Seidenberg for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The year 2010 was a turbulent year for intellectual property law in the United States, and 2011 promises more of the same. The following are some of the top US IP developments to watch in the coming year.
Special Report: Music Industry’s Lavish Lobby Campaign For Digital Rights 06/01/2011 by Bruce Gain for Intellectual Property Watch 13 Comments The music industry has spent tens of millions of dollars to lobby government officials worldwide during the past decade, but whether or not the initiative has helped to shape a viable legal and commercial framework is a subject of debate.
Roche Exec Takes Over At Medicines For Malaria Venture 06/01/2011 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment A top Swiss company executive on pandemic influenza and HIV/AIDS research took the reins of the Geneva-based Medicines for Malaria Venture this week, just weeks after MMV was given international organisation status by the Swiss government.
IP & Traditional Cultural Expressions: An Unnatural Alliance? 05/01/2011 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Incorporating traditional cultural expressions into an intellectual property system will be an uphill battle, warned a panellist at a recent side event at the World Intellectual Property Organization. But, argued another, it could be one of the best ways for indigenous communities to benefit from their knowledge.
IP-Watch In Podcast On Patent Trolls + IP And Development 05/01/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Intellectual Property Watch Director and Editor-in-Chief William New recently participated in a podcast discussing IP and development, particularly at WIPO, and the latest on patent trolls around the world.
New Guide To TRIPS Health Provisions In FTAs 05/01/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment A new policy guide has been released that analyzes the public health effects of intellectual property rights provisions in bilateral trade agreements. The guide has a special focus on the Eastern Mediterranean region.
Patent On AIDS Medicine Denied In India; Seen Unlocking Market 04/01/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments A decision by the Indian Patent Office to reject a patent on an AIDS drug last week has drawn acclaim from civil society and Indian generic pharmaceutical industries. The decision was not based on a controversial article of Indian law aimed at preventing patent extensions but rather on the grounds of non-inventiveness. Abbott Laboratories, meanwhile, presented Intellectual Property Watch with justification for its Indian patent request.
Net Censorship Fears As Hungary Takes EU Presidency 03/01/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment An internet civil liberties group in Hungary has warned that the country’s new media law gives the government censorship authority, threatening freedom of speech and independent journalism. The law took effect on 1 January – at the same time Hungary assumed the six-month presidency of the European Union, raising fears of EU level spread of such policies.