Medicines Patent Pool TB Deal Praised But Raises Concerns Of Affordability 25/01/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The Medicines Patent Pool announced today that it has signed a license agreement with Johns Hopkins University for a candidate tuberculosis treatment. Although seen as a major step forward by public health groups, they said the agreement does not include guarantees that the treatment that could be brought to the market would be affordable for all.
ARIPO Amends Protocol On Patents, Utility Models And Designs 06/01/2017 by Hillary Muheebwa for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The Harare Protocol on Patents, Industrial Designs and Utility Models has been amended. The amendments were adopted by the 40th Session of the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) Administrative Council, and came into operational effect from 1 January 2017.
Roundtable: ‘Appropriate Level’ Of Protection Is Key For Impact Of Patents In Health, Innovation 03/01/2017 by Peter Kenny for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment One of the key questions around the impact of patents on health and innovation is what is the appropriate level of protection for companies innovating, says Dr. Marie-Paul Kieny, assistant director-general, Health Systems and Innovation, at the World Health Organization.
US Supreme Court Eyes Patent-Enforced Post-Sale Restrictions 21/12/2016 by Steven Seidenberg for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Few were surprised when, earlier this month, the US Supreme Court agreed to hear the appeal in Impression Products, Inc. v. Lexmark International. The case presents two important patent law issues, and the lower court’s ruling on these issues conflicts with Supreme Court precedents, according to many experts.
Patents And Health Debate Brings Key WIPO Committee To Standstill 16/12/2016 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment After a day spent in informal meetings to try to agree on what should be the future work of the World Intellectual Property Organization patent law committee, delegates had to admit defeat. The main point of contention, according to sources, was the request by developing countries that the committee work on the issue of patents and access to medicines, and address the recommendations of the United Nations Secretary-General’s High Level Panel on Access to Medicines. This request was met by blunt refusal by some developed countries as beyond the realm of the work of the committee.
Things Heat Up In WIPO Debate On Patents And Health 14/12/2016 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The World Intellectual Property Organization patent law committee this week became the latest venue for the global debate over the system to provide incentives to the pharmaceutical industry to find new medicines while ensuring all patients have access to those medicines. Most developing countries want the committee to discuss the recommendations of the United Nations Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel on Access to Medicines, while most developed countries disagree. The tone is rising, and the issue could come as a hurdle as countries decide the future work of the committee.
USPTO Director Lee Discusses Importance Of Patent Quality 13/12/2016 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Opening a conference on patent quality today, United States Patent and Trademark Office Director Michele Lee highlighted efforts of the administration in improving the quality of patents and addressing backlog of patent applications. Patent backlog is down by one-third since the start of the Obama administration, she said.
WIPO Patent Committee Asked To Discuss UN High Level Report On Access To Medicines 13/12/2016 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The World Intellectual Property Organization patent law committee is a unique international forum where discussions about the patent system are held. The committee meeting this week is a display of different views of developed and developing countries on how the patent system is expected to meet their needs.
US Supreme Court Declines To Hear Biologic Drug Patent Fight 13/12/2016 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The US Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear a case over whether companies that make copycat versions of biologic drugs must wait six months after winning federal approval before bringing them to the market.
US High Court Hears Patent Case With Global Trade Implications 08/12/2016 by Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment In a first-impression case with implications for international trade, the United States Supreme Court is set to decide whether the US supplier of a single non-infringing article used in an infringing product abroad can be held liable for worldwide damages under US patent law. The case hinges on the meaning of “substantial” and whether US law can extend beyond its borders.