“Washington Declaration” Demands Return Of Public Interest In IP Rights 10/09/2011 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 5 Comments A new multi-stakeholder declaration demanding that the public interest be returned to intellectual property rights was issued this week and is open for signatures by anyone, already collecting hundreds of supporters. The declaration contains numerous principles and actions, such as restraint in enforcement, open access, and development priorities, that the drafters hope will help change the course of IP policymaking.
Still A Long Way To Go For Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement 08/09/2011 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments The Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement negotiated last year will be open for signature for two years, until the first of May 2013. But while this looks like a long time, it likely will be needed by the 37 negotiating governments (including the United States, Japan, South Korea and the 27 European Union members) to iron out problems on their way to implementing what some rights owners welcomed as a possible new “gold standard” for the enforcement of intellectual property rights.
US Chamber Urges More IP Protection As Job Booster; Tech Supporters Disagree 07/09/2011 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The United States Chamber of Commerce this week released a letter urging the US government to take a series of steps to boost jobs in America, including passing controversial legislation to allow the US to unilaterally crack down on international websites it deems to be in violation of US intellectual property rights. But not everyone agrees this is the best approach.
UK Copyright Modernisation Effort Picks Up Steam 31/08/2011 by Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Efforts to modernise Britain’s creaking copyright regime sped up over the summer as the government accepted recommendations for major changes to the system, Parliament opened an inquiry into the matter, and the Intellectual Property Office said updating the rules could significantly boost the UK economy.
EPIP Brussels Event Looks At Current Issues In IP Policy 24/08/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The annual conference of the European Policy for Intellectual Property Association on 8-9 September in Brussels will bring together leading figures in the international IP community to look at contemporary issues in IP policy.
Promoting Caribbean Intellectual Property Law 08/08/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Across the world, the Caribbean is renowned for its unique flavors in music and entertainment, its beaches, cricket, and its commonly acclaimed fun and sun. While these are well-deserved, and are sources of just pride, this common perception provides foliage which bars the examination and explanation of the real problems and needs in intellectual property in the Caribbean, writes attorney Abiola Inniss.
EU-India Agreement In WTO Dispute Raises Bar For EU Drug Seizures 30/07/2011 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment India and the European Union announced a written agreement yesterday that puts more conditions on EU customs authorities before they can stop shipments of generic pharmaceuticals passing through Europe. No longer is the existence of an EU patent on passing generics sufficient cause to stop shipments. The agreement suspends a World Trade Organization dispute started by India last year.
WIPO Traditional Knowledge Committee On Way To New Mandate 22/07/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Delegates working on an international instrument to protect traditional knowledge and folklore against misappropriation today agreed this afternoon to ask the World Intellectual Property Organization General Assembly in September to extend the mandate of the committee working on those issues.
Traditional Knowledge, Folkore Treaty Texts Still Advancing At WIPO 22/07/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments Delegates at the World Intellectual Property Organization this week continued work on evolving draft texts of treaties to protect genetic resources, traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions (TCEs), or folklore. But more work will be needed to complete them, according to participants.
Decisive Week Ahead For Protection Of Traditional Knowledge, Genetic Resources 15/07/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment World Intellectual Property Organization member countries next week will work on draft negotiating texts on the protection of genetic resources, traditional knowledge and folklore. New recommendations by a set of developing countries are calling for a diplomatic conference in 2013, and to extend the work of the committee in charge of reaching an international instrument, as its mandate ends this year.