WIPO Working Group To Reconsider Rules On Appellations Of Origin 02/10/2008 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By Kaitlin Mara World Intellectual Property Organization members last Friday set up a working group to consider improvements to an international agreement on appellations of origin – names of products reflecting particular cultural or environmental aspects of a geographic location. Key improvements sought are a procedure for resolving situations in which nations have protection over […]
Global Access To Medicines Not Improved By TRIPS Waiver, Some Say 01/10/2008 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A much-heralded 2003 waiver to World Trade Organization intellectual property rules aimed at helping poor countries receive needed medicines they cannot produce themselves has brought little if any help five years later, according to governments and public health advocates. The so-called “30 August 2003 Decision” allowing WTO members to use compulsory licences to produce and […]
Both Sides Claim Victory In US Music Industry File-Sharing Litigation 01/10/2008 by Bruce Gain for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment By Bruce Gain for Intellectual Property Watch Five years and over 30,000 lawsuits later, both sides in the music industry’s legal battle against illegal file-sharing in the United States claim they are prevailing.
US Congress Hastens Through Flurry Of IP Legislation Before Departure 01/10/2008 by Liza Porteus Viana, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By Liza Porteus Viana for Intellectual Property Watch In the waning days of this congressional session in the United States, US lawmakers are passing a flurry of intellectual property-related bills. One of the bills awaiting President Bush’s signature would create a position of a top intellectual property official in the White House. Another bill would […]
Internal EU Documents On WIPO Gap Analysis 30/09/2008 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The Council of the European Union has prepared a confidential draft contribution to the World Intellectual Property Organization gap analyses on traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions, which will be discussed at the WIPO Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore from 13 to 17 October.
Optimism Reigns As WIPO Assemblies Close, Gurry Takes Office 30/09/2008 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By William New Member governments of the UN World Intellectual Property Organization concluded this year’s annual assemblies with high optimism for the future of the intellectual property system and for the organisation. “We’re glad to see WIPO back to its routine,” a Brazilian official said after the assemblies adjourned Monday night. “This General Assembly signals […]
الخبراء يجتمعون لمناقشة دور الملكية الفكرية في نقل التكنولوجيا البيئية 30/09/2008 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment بقلم كيتلن مارا تزداد أهمية نقل التكنولوجيا مع تزايد أهمية التكنولوجيا في الاقتصاد العالمي. وفي حالة تصدي التكنولوجيا للمشاكل البيئية، قد يكون هذا النقل متكاملاً لضمان قدرة البلدان النامية على اتخاذ تدابير المحافظة. واجتمعت مجموعة متنوعة من الخبراء هذا الأسبوع في المنظمة العالمية للملكية الفكرية (الويبو) لمناقشة نقل التكنولوجيا، كما أقرت بذلك الاتفاقات متعددة الأطراف […]
WIPO Assembly To Wrap Up Early; Budget Issues Wait For December 26/09/2008 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By William New and Kaitlin Mara Member governments of the World Intellectual Property Organization completed their annual General Assemblies earlier than scheduled this year, but some of the most difficult decisions – such as the budget – will be addressed at a special session in December. Issues tackled in the final two days included the […]
Biotech, Pharma Industries To Target IP Protection Legislation, Patent Reform 26/09/2008 by Liza Porteus Viana, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By Liza Porteus Viana for Intellectual Property Watch When the new administration and Congress come into office following the November elections in the United States, the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries will prioritise protection of their intellectual property and innovative biological drugs as the push for cheaper, generic versions gets stronger. Patent reform also will continue to be a lobbying priority, as well as making sure intellectual property is protected in any forthcoming international trade agreements.
WHO Asserts Global IP And Health Strategy Progressing But Offers Few Details 25/09/2008 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By Kaitlin Mara Work is ongoing within the World Health Organization on a member-mandated global strategy on public health, innovation and intellectual property, a WHO official said Tuesday. But little information about that work has been forthcoming since the strategy was approved in May. The “silence of the WHO doesn’t mean we haven’t been doing […]