IP Exchange ‘Getting Some Teeth’; First Offerings Likely In Autumn 19/07/2012 by Liza Porteus Viana, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A new system to more effectively licence technology and facilitate the trading of intellectual property rights will come online later this year – and an increasing number of countries are taking notice.
Texts On Broadcasting, Copyright Education Exceptions, Metamorphise At WIPO 18/07/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Members of the World Intellectual Property Organization copyright committee today received a large compilation text of proposals on limitations and exceptions for education and research, and promptly set about totally reworking it. They also reopened negotiations on a broadcasters’ rights treaty based on a new comparative table of proposals which they quickly deemed in need of redrafting. On broadcasting, the United States reopened a debate over whether the treaty should cover internet transmissions.
Industry Groups Press For EU, US Action On Trade Secret Protection 16/07/2012 by Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments Theft of trade secrets, or “confidential business information,” has reached such an appalling level that legislative action is needed, industry groups say. They’re pushing the European Union and United States to get involved, and may be making headway.
Hard Times Ahead For Rights Holders? IPR High On Brussels Agenda Before Recess 13/07/2012 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch 4 Comments At a little-publicised annual meeting of the Transatlantic Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Working Group in Brussels this week representatives of the European Commission, several United States agencies and rights holder agreed that there might be tough times ahead for IPRs and rights holders. Meanwhile, the Commission is under pressure on copyright exceptions for visually impaired readers on the eve of a World Intellectual Property Organization meeting. And the Commission this week introduced new rules on collective societies aimed at easing user access to content.
Special Report: Russia Amends IP Law In Advance Of WTO Accession 12/07/2012 by Daria Kim for Intellectual Property Watch 4 Comments By September of this year, Russia is expected to become the 154th member of the World Trade Organization – 19 years after the accession application was received and the Working Party on the Accession of the Russian Federation established in June 1993. In advance of the accession, the Russian intellectual property rights law is being amended to meet the WTO accession requirements.
New CBD Head: IPR Still Key To Nagoya Protocol On Access And Benefit-Sharing 10/07/2012 by Patralekha Chatterjee for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment NEW DELHI – The “Nagoya Protocol,” an international agreement struck in the Japanese town of Nagoya in October 2010, has nearly 100 signatory countries, and is a major talking point in the international discourse on biodiversity. But ratification by the governments of these countries remains painfully slow, and the process towards it fraught with daunting challenges, as was evident last week during a key inter-governmental meeting in the Indian capital New Delhi. In an interview with Intellectual Property Watch, the new head of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity had much to say about intellectual property rights.
“Landmark” Global Commission On HIV And Law Report Tough On IP System 09/07/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment An independent, UN-led multistakeholder group today issued strong recommendations on ways to improve ongoing global efforts to address HIV/AIDS. Among them – serious questions about the current intellectual property rights system.
European Parliament Rejection Puts ACTA Future In Doubt 04/07/2012 by William New and Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch 20 Comments Today’s overwhelming defeat of the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) by the European Parliament could have a resounding effect on the treaty’s prospects for survival, according to sources. Meanwhile, public interest groups are celebrating and copyright holders fuming.
Switzerland Most Innovative Economy, Global Divide Persists, Says WIPO/INSEAD Index 03/07/2012 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The Global Innovation Index 2012 launched today by the World Intellectual Property Organization and INSEAD shows a clear innovation divide in world economies. It advises countries to maintain their efforts to support and foster innovation despite the lingering economic crisis, as a key element of sustainable growth.
WHO Report Details Accountability In Director Chan’s First Term 02/07/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment World Health Organization Director General Margaret Chan was re-elected for another term at the annual May World Health Assembly. Now the WHO has issued a “report card” showing how she kept her promises during the first term. This includes a range of steps to ensure new drugs are affordable and accessible, even if intellectual property rights make them high-priced.