Questions Follow Sharp Rise In Investor-State Disputes, Far-Reaching Cases 10/04/2013 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment At an unprecedented rate, private companies are using “investor-state” provisions in trade agreements negotiated by governments to challenge foreign government regulations, often made on behalf of the public, a United Nations report has found. And the majority of target governments are developing or transition economies, most of the time being challenged by companies in developed countries.
WIPO Hails India’s Accession To Trademark System; India Advocates Balance 09/04/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment A full room of country delegates and ambassadors gathered yesterday to celebrate the accession of India to the Madrid Protocol for the International Registration of Marks at the World Intellectual Property Organization. However, beyond the joy of accession, the recent decision of the Indian Supreme Court on a Novartis drug patent loomed in the room.
North American Universities Seen Failing To Promote Socially Responsible Licensing 05/04/2013 by Rachel Marusak Hermann, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A student group is holding top research universities in the US and Canada accountable for how much they are – or are not – contributing to global public health. According to a recently released report by Universities Allied for Essential Medicines, a non-profit organisation, most institutions are falling short when it comes to investing in neglected diseases and promoting access to medicines.
The Judgment In Novartis v. India: What The Supreme Court Of India Said 04/04/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch 9 Comments Following the Indian Supreme Court decision in Novartis AG v. Union of India, Prof. Frederick Abbott says, “the judgment is well-crafted, with close attention to the facts presented, and appears to take a balanced view of the matters brought before the Court.”
Linguistic Diversity Essential For Innovation, Development, Roundtable Speakers Say 04/04/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Multilingualism not only expands cultural horizons but also provides a tool for innovation, speakers gathered at an international roundtable yesterday said. However, language uniformity is a tempting road taken by many – often for cost-related reasons – while multilingualism should be promoted as a factor in development, they said.
WIPO Opens Fifth External Office, In Moscow 02/04/2013 by Daria Kim for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment On 23 March, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev signed a decree establishing a World Intellectual Property Organization office in Moscow.
Singapore Reveals 10-Year Plan To Be Global IP Hub 01/04/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The Government of Singapore today has revealed a set of initiatives it plans to implement over the next decade to further develop the country as an intellectual property hub.
India Dismisses Antitrust Complaint Against Gilead Sciences 01/04/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The Indian fair trade regulator has dismissed a complaint against biopharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences that alleged the company engaged in anti-competitive activities in the licensing of its anti-HIV drugs, according to the SpicyIP blog.
WIPO Reports Another Record In Cybersquatting Disputes In 2012 28/03/2013 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment It was another record year in 2012 for cybersquatting cases filed at the World Intellectual Property Organization Arbitration and Mediation Centre. In addition, WIPO announced results of a survey that show that its mediation services could benefit parties in technology-related disputes.
East African Community Doubles Efforts To Boost Local Pharmaceutical Production 28/03/2013 by Rachel Marusak Hermann, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Arusha, Tanzania – Pharmaceutical manufacturers in East Africa have joined forces to strengthen their production capacity to meet at least half of the region’s demand for affordable, quality medicines. The East African Community is supporting this ambitious goal through various initiatives, including a regional intellectual property policy to guide partner states on developing national legislation that fosters local pharmaceutical production.