Special Report: With Poor And Uninsured A Majority, Southeast Asia Sees Rise In Generics 27/11/2012 by Maricel Estavillo for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Four of the world’s most populous nations are in Southeast Asia and with roughly two-thirds of its population lacking access to medicines, the region holds promise for the cheaper generic drugs. Already, observers are taking note of how the region is changing the dynamics of the global business.
USPTO Director Kappos To Depart In January 26/11/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment David Kappos, the director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), will leave at the end of January, a USPTO spokesperson confirmed today.
Serageldin: IPR Adaptation Needed To Help Innovation Reach Small Farmers 19/11/2012 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The director of the Library of Alexandria, Egypt, invited to speak about innovation and food security at the World Intellectual Property Organization last week, said science should reach small farmers in order face the challenge of global food security and increase agricultural yields. He also called for the IP regime to be tailored to serve that purpose.
Fixing Canada’s Access to Medicines Regime — Bill C-398 18/11/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Richard Elliott writes: Canada’s Access to Medicines Regime (CAMR) was a unanimous pledge by Parliament to help people dying in developing countries because they lack access to affordable medicines. So far, it has delivered only one medicine to one country since Parliament created it more than 8 years ago (in May 2004). CAMR is clearly not working; it needs to be reformed to address the unnecessary deficiencies and limitations that have rendered it cumbersome and user-unfriendly for both developing countries and the manufacturers of lower-cost, generic medicines – the two parties that need to make use of CAMR if patients are to get the medicines they need.
CDIP Agrees To IP And Development Conference; Other Tough Issues Kept Open 17/11/2012 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments Delegates meeting this week to assess how the World Intellectual Property Organization is instilling a development dimension in its activity had to tackle a marathon session with a large agenda, many projects to assess, and some issues regarding the mandate of the committee. Divergence remained on the agenda of the week but countries agreed on some items, including the convening of a conference on intellectual property and development in 2013.
Pending Decision On GM Maize In Mexico Under Fire 15/11/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The ETC Group has issued a warning that “agribusiness giants Monsanto, DuPont and Dow are plotting the boldest coup of a global food crop in history,” as they have applied to the Mexican government for the planting of transgenic maize on 2,500,000 hectares, approximately the size of El Salvador.
Gaps Persist On WIPO Development Dimension 15/11/2012 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments The development dimension of the World Intellectual Property Organization is under scrutiny by member states this week, and after a smooth start and a general commitment to work cooperatively and constructively, discussions have demonstrated strongly held positions, leaving countries to try and find common ground.
Proposal For EPO Staff Bonus Raises Questions 13/11/2012 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments A proposal of the European Patent Office President Benoît Battistelli to pay a collective reward to EPO staff in 2012 in view of the positive operating result of 2011 has stirred concerns about the kind of incentive this might give to EPO examiners.
Full Agenda For WIPO Committee On Development This Week 11/11/2012 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment After a difficult session last May, the World Intellectual Property Organization committee examining the development dimension of WIPO activities will reconvene next week with a substantive agenda. In particular, delegates will assess progress of ongoing projects, consider reports on finished projects, and consider the committee’s future work. They also will consider a conference on IP and development.
EU Health Cooperation — Room For Improvement 09/11/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The European Union’s global plan for health, development cooperation includes the commitment that high-quality medicines and care in the developing world be available without restrictions. As such, despite its growing impact and strong investment in product R&D, the plan seemingly lacks adequate coherence, innovative financing, and coordination, collaboration with concerned parties. Filling these gaps would be a matter of priority and a way for the EU to achieve indisputable field leadership.