Proponents Fight To Keep IP Issues At High Level At WTO 30/07/2009 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment With governments looking to close the long-stalled Doha Round of trade liberalisation talks in 2010, what will happen to remaining disagreements on intellectual property issues is still unclear. But proponents of amending the World Trade Organization intellectual property agreement reasserted the need to have them addressed.
USPTO Nominee Kappos Appears To Clear First Senate Hurdle 29/07/2009 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday appeared to look favourably upon David Kappos, the Obama administration nominee for undersecretary of Commerce and director of the US Patent and Trademark Office. But in the process, Kappos showed possible weaknesses in separating himself from his job at IBM and the need for international diplomacy on IP enforcement.
Webcast: Senate Hearing On USPTO Director Kappos 29/07/2009 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The Senate Judiciary Committee has scheduled a hearing to consider the nomination of David J. Kappos to be the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the US Patent and Trademark Office. The hearing is being held on Wednesday, 29 July, at 10h00 am in Washington, DC (16h00 Geneva time), and will […]
Los miembros de la OMPI someten a examen el proyecto de presupuesto por programas de 2010-2011 29/07/2009 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Los Estados miembros de la Organización Mundial de la Propiedad Intelectual (OMPI) analizaron minuciosamente esta semana el proyecto de presupuesto por programas de 2010-2011 propuesto por la Secretaría de la OMPI, el primero que refleja plenamente el reajuste estratégico del organismo de Naciones Unidas elaborado por el Director General Francis Gurry. A pesar de las cerca de 200 intervenciones de los Estados sobre los diferentes aspectos del plan, al parecer se respaldó la propuesta de la Secretaría para el presupuesto bienal de 618,6 millones de francos suizos (577,2 millones de dólares estadounidenses), lo que representa una disminución del 1,6%, o 9,8 millones de francos suizos, en comparación con el presupuesto de 2008-2009.
US Biologics Debate Heats Up As Congress, Obama, Wrangle With Healthcare Reform 27/07/2009 by Liza Porteus Viana, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment As the United States Congress prepares to recess in early August, there’s hope – and dread, depending on which “side” of the debate you’re on – that legislation creating a regulatory pathway for follow-on biologics may be pushed through as part of the broader healthcare reform package.
EU Report Finds Fault With US Barriers To IP 27/07/2009 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 4 Comments The European Commission on Monday released a report finding fault with a number of United States practices related to intellectual property rights policy, on copyright, geographical indications, trademarks and patents. The report is an answer, one might say, to the US Special 301 report that criticises US trading partners it deems unilaterally to be insufficiently protecting its companies’ IP rights.
LDCs Commit To Use IP For Development At WIPO; Use Of Exceptions, Flexibilities Omitted 27/07/2009 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments Officials from least developed nations on Friday agreed to a strategy for using intellectual property to encourage local innovation, protect national cultural and genetic resources, attract foreign direct investment, and spur development at a World Intellectual Property Organization forum on the use of intellectual property for “prosperity and development.” But they did not appear to highlight other options for development such as exceptions and limitations to copyright or flexibilities they are allowed in applying IP laws.
Lamy To Meet With WTO Membership On IP Issues; Breakthrough Unlikely 24/07/2009 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment World Trade Organization Director General Pascal Lamy on Monday is expected to inform members that months of informal consultations on two key intellectual property issues on which a majority of governments would like a clear negotiating mandate have not yet resulted in an agreement. But proponents are hopeful the high-level attention to the subject will help start progress toward resolution in the future.
WIPO Members Scrutinise Draft 2010-2011 Programme, Budget 23/07/2009 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The member governments of the World Intellectual Property Organization this week carefully analysed the draft programme and budget for 2010-2011 proposed by the WIPO secretariat – the first one fully reflecting the strategic realignment of the UN organisation by Director General Francis Gurry. And despite some 200 interventions by governments on aspects of the plan, there appeared to be support for the secretariat’s proposal for a two-year budget of CHF618.6 million Swiss francs (US$577.2 million), a decrease from 2008-2009 of 1.6 percent or CHF9.8 million Swiss francs.
Innovation Policy Needs National Focus, Use Of TRIPS Obligations, Panellists Say 20/07/2009 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Innovation is a main driver for economic growth and development for developing countries, said speakers at an event focusing on innovation in Brazil, India and South Africa. But although innovation is increasing and is a priority in developing economies, one expert said invention capabilities remain in the hands of historical players and governments need to seek innovative policy responses.