Open Access Database Of Key HIV Patents Launched By Medicines Patent Pool 07/04/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The Medicines Patent Pool, an initiative aiming at increasing access to HIV drugs through voluntary licences of patented drugs, has launched a new database of patent information on HIV medicines.
Google Reluctantly Joins Patent Craze 04/04/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Internet giant Google today announced it is taking an “if-you-can’t-beat-’em, join ’em” attitude on patents and innovation by moving defensively to boost its patent portfolio.
US Farmers Sue Monsanto Over GMO Patents, Demand Right To Conventional Crops 30/03/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 23 Comments The Public Patent Foundation filed suit yesterday against Monsanto’s patents on genetically modified seeds with farmers asking to be protected against the biotechnology giant’s potential lawsuits in case of accidental contamination from plants grown with its seeds.
India, WIPO Connect On Traditional Knowledge Protection, With Or Without Patents 28/03/2011 by William New and Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The World Intellectual Property Organization went to India last week to highlight the country’s success in creating a digital library of Indian traditional knowledge, which it uses to prevent illegitimate patenting of its resources. But whether WIPO found a way to fit the Indian project into the UN agency’s mission to protect and promote intellectual property rights was unclear.
US, China Meet On Biotech Patenting 28/03/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), the Chinese State Intellectual Property Office (SIPO), and the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) hosted a workshop on biotechnology in Beijing today.
Briefs Filed In Supreme Court Case On Lowering Patent Validity Test 21/03/2011 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A list of briefs were filed Friday in support of maintaining the high standard in the United States for questioning the validity of patent. The decision of the Supreme Court expected in the coming months could have a major impact on patent law.
Microsoft Asserts Patents In E-Readers, Tablets 21/03/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment US software-maker Microsoft today filed lawsuits for patent infringement against bookseller Barnes & Noble and its makers of Android-based electronic book reader and tablet devices.
US Court Rulings May End Plague of False Patent Marking Suits 17/03/2011 by Steven Seidenberg for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Companies doing business in the United States have, for the past 15 months, found themselves in the cross-hairs. Bayer, Nike, L’Oreal, Sony, Wal-Mart, Novo Nordisk and hundreds of other firms have been sued for making or selling products displaying incorrect or expired patent numbers. And the liability for such false patent marking can be astronomical, with a defendant potentially facing fines of billions or even trillions of dollars.
Would US Senate Patent Reform Bill Harmonise US Law With The World? 16/03/2011 by William New and Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The bill to reform United States patent law recently passed by the Senate purports to bring US law closer to laws of other major patent-filing nations. But how close would it come?
International Seed Treaty Hears Concerns Of Corporate Concentration, DNA Patenting 14/03/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture is holding the fourth regular session of its Governing Body this week in Bali, Indonesia.