Waiting For Customs And Trademark Reforms, EU Rights Owners Get “Proactive” Against Fakes 13/12/2012 by Rachel Marusak Hermann, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Alicante, Spain – The impact of counterfeit goods on the economy, public health, and the bottom line was a central theme during a private-sector symposium on trademarks here this week. For European rights owners, the border is where counterfeiters are at their weakest and therefore the best place to act. But as stronger legislation regarding infringement of intellectual property rights on goods in transit is unlikely for now, the private sector is seeking alternative ways to take on a growing business threat.
WIPO IP Indicators: Year of Records, China Tops Filings 12/12/2012 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The World Intellectual Property Organization today issued its annual World Intellectual Property Indicators report showing that despite the “continued fragility of global economy,” intellectual property is still performing. The report was issued as WIPO members are discussing a potential new treaty on industrial designs law and practice, with a view of harmonising rules and procedures worldwide.
A Closer Look Into A WIPO Regional Workshop: Making An Instant IP Whiz 10/12/2012 by Maricel Estavillo for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Manila, Philippines – Another destructive typhoon was battering southern Philippines last week, but this did not stop the majority of the delegates coming from the provinces near the affected areas from flying to the capital to attend what organisers touted as a trailblazing programme that has the potential to raise awareness of sophisticated intellectual property tools and policies at the grassroots level in developing countries.
Industrial Design On The Spot In WIPO Committee This Week 10/12/2012 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Delegates to the World Intellectual Property Organization this week are expected to have a focussed session on the protection of industrial designs. The last meeting of the committee in charge of this issue ended disappointingly for proponents of a quick path to a treaty on industrial design, but the committee was mandated by the October WIPO General Assembly to expedite work on the matter.
Chair Of Stalled WTO Talks On GIs May Take Another Tack 07/12/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments World Trade Organization negotiations to establish a multilateral register of geographical indications continue to be stalled over whether talks should apply only to wines and spirits as mandated, or can extend to other products and include talks on disclosure of origin in genetic material, the negotiations chair reported to the WTO Trade Negotiations Committee (TNC) today. He suggested a slightly different approach in the coming year.
Geographical Indications Catching Up With Appellations of Origin At WIPO 07/12/2012 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment A happy mood was in order at the close of a World Intellectual Property Organization meeting on the protection of product names indicating their origin, particular qualities and reputation. Geographical indications are being considered for the same recognition and protection as appellations of origin through the revision of a current international instrument.
From South Africa — Keeping Traditional Knowledge Traditional 07/12/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments There has been a tidal wave of severe criticism of the South African government’s proposed legislation to provide for protection for traditional knowledge in domestic South African law, writes Prof. Owen Dean. Now, the criticism seems to align with accepted international views.
EU Parliament To Vote On Measure Against Biopiracy; Focus On UN Protocol 29/11/2012 by Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment European Union lawmakers will vote soon on a non-binding measure aimed at protecting genetic resources and fighting biopiracy, or misappropriation. Despite the critical importance of these issues, efforts to draw the European Parliament’s attention to the resolution have been difficult and its outcome is less than clear, its author says.
Criminal IP Sanctions To Be Dropped From Canada-EU FTA, Documents Show 28/11/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Criminal sanctions for intellectual property rights infringement are to be dropped from the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), according to a set of documents leaked by Montreal daily La Presse.
South African Government Draws Many Views On Draft New National IP Policy 27/11/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Harmonisation of Africa’s seed laws: death knell for African seed systems The African Centre for Biosafety (ACB) has released its new report titled, ‘Harmonisation of Africa’s seed laws: a recipe for disaster- Players, motives and dynamics”. The report shows how African governments are being co-opted into harmonising seed laws relating to border control measures, phytosanitary […]