Biodiversity Negotiations Need To Allow For Flexibility In Business, Industry Says 25/11/2009 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Aspects of a legally-binding international agreement on access and benefit-sharing under the UN Convention on Biological Diversity may harm business interests and also fail to reach its objectives of protecting and preserving biodiversity, said members of a panel of industry representatives in Geneva yesterday. Some also expressed doubt about the likelihood of the access and benefit sharing regime meeting its deadline of having full agreement by its October meeting next year in Nagoya, Japan.
One (Almost) Happy Multi-stakeholder Family At The Annual Internet Governance Forum 24/11/2009 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment If you don’t count China, it was difficult to find people speaking against an extension of the non-decision-making Internet Governance Forum (IGF) of the United Nations at last week’s gathering. An overwhelming majority of the 1,800 participants at the Egyptian tourist destination Sharm El Sheikh seemed to be in favour of the “multi-stakeholder” discussions taking place during the IGF events because they allow for better understanding on overarching issues like human rights and privacy or access problems in developing countries, but also the specialised problems with the internet infrastructure like internationalised domain names and the next generation internet, IPv6.
Ecuador To Define Its Compulsory Licence Legislation 23/11/2009 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Since Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa signed a decree on 23 October allowing compulsory licences, the national intellectual property office has been working on a mechanism for issuance those licences, which should be studied case by case, according to the national decree.
Time For Human Rights To Enter Into IP Policy Dialogue, Panel Says 23/11/2009 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Ensuring the right to development should become more integral to debates over intellectual property policy, said members of a panel last week. The World Intellectual Property Organization Development Agenda will play a crucial role in ensuring this integration if it happens, they added.
WTO GI Register Draft Report Sees Areas Of Convergence 23/11/2009 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The outgoing chair’s draft report on progress at the World Trade Organization toward establishing a mandated register for geographical indications praises recent work and sees hope for convergence on outstanding issues such as legal effects and participation, according to a copy obtained by Intellectual Property Watch. But it details key differences on the issues that remain.
Delegates Look To April For Consensus On Development Agenda Coordination 20/11/2009 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Informal negotiations appeared to bring the Committee on Development and Intellectual Property within reach of consensus on a coordination mechanism for the Development Agenda early this morning, but this afternoon governments were unable to overcome remaining differences.
WIPO, A (Rare) Profitable UN Agency, Ventures Into World Of Donors 20/11/2009 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The World Intellectual Property Organization has been known to be different from the rest of the United Nations family in that it earns most of its own revenues, and typically operates with a budget surplus. But recognising that it could better meet the needs of its members with additional funds, it now is turning to the international donor community.
WIPO Development Committee Deepens Look At Technology Transfer, Coordination 19/11/2009 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment How to achieve effective technology transfer stirred up discussion this week at the World Intellectual Property Organization Committee on Development and IP (CDIP). Meanwhile, members are conducting informal negotiations to bridge differences over what kind of mechanism is needed to coordinate the Development Agenda as a whole.
Special Report: IP Protection Secondary To Support For Small African Innovators 19/11/2009 by Robinson Esalimba for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Systematic and sustained programmes aimed at identifying and supporting African innovative talent may be a key part of Africa’s technological evolution, according to researchers and young entrepreneurs interviewed by Intellectual Property Watch. In the second part of a two-part series highlighting innovation challenges in Africa, Intellectual Property Watch focuses on harnessing and nurturing African innovation talent.
TRIPS Council Annual Report: Extension Of Health Amendment Deadline Looms Again 18/11/2009 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The World Trade Organization General Council, the WTO’s highest-level decision-making body in Geneva, on Tuesday received the annual report for the WTO committee on intellectual property rights. In it were descriptions of the past year’s IP debates and recommendations for extensions of deadlines.