WIPO Chief Calls for Seamless, Global, Legal Digital Content Regime 06/06/2014 by Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch 4 Comments ATHENS – In what the representative of a major consumer group called a “big step,” World Intellectual Property Organization Director General Francis Gurry on 6 June called for development of a seamless, global, legal, digital content marketplace that could offer the chance to bridge seemingly intractable copyright issues. Speaking at a conference in Athens hosted by the Greek EU Presidency on copyright and Europe’s digital agenda, Gurry said the search for such a market should take the form of a dialogue that includes all stakeholders.
Innovation Hubs, Green Technology Transfer On Agenda Of TRIPS Council 06/06/2014 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The World Trade Organization intellectual property committee will meet next week with some new issues on the agenda. Ecuador has requested the continuance of a discussion on the transfer of green technologies, and Taiwan and the United States have proposed an agenda item on innovation incubators.
Dutch Supreme Court Allows Evidentiary Seizures In All Civil Cases 05/06/2014 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment In civil litigation, obtaining the necessary evidence to substantiate a claim can be rather challenging. This can be particularly problematic if the required evidence is in the possession of the opposing party or even a third party. In the Netherlands, this problem is strengthened by the fact that the concept of US style discovery or UK style disclosure does not exist. Levying evidentiary seizures could therefore be a powerful tool, say two Dutch-based attorneys.
Libraries Can Digitise Books Without Consent, European Advocate General Says 05/06/2014 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Libraries can digitise individual books in their collections without the consent of rights holders, the Advocate General of the European Court of Justice, Niilo Jääskinen, has written in his application in a case (C-117/13) pending at the Luxembourg Court.
Shifting Sands In The Global IP Community 05/06/2014 by Liza Porteus Viana, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Just as the world of international intellectual property law and policy is ever-changing, so are the faces within it. The US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has a new deputy director in Silicon Valley veteran Michelle Lee, who has been acting as director. Many changes occurred at the US Trade Representative’s office, including the naming of a top tech industry lobbyist as deputy USTR, the return to Geneva of a key US figure at the WTO, and the defection of a top IP negotiator to the copyright industry.
IP-Watch Interns Provide Fresh Perspective, Solid Reporting 04/06/2014 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment This spring, Intellectual Property Watch has had the pleasure of welcoming three talented interns/researchers who have provided not only their expertise but their enthusiasm for all aspects of intellectual property and have made an excellent addition to the team.
WHO Faces Big Impact On Workers, Costs As Polio Strategy Ends In 2018 30/05/2014 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The World Health Organization faces a significant shift in its human resources status when polio eradication efforts come to an end in 2018, and so far, transition planning has been “sporadic and limited,” according to an independent study.
UK IP Advisor Points To Online Search Engines To Do More Against Piracy 29/05/2014 by Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Search engines don’t cause internet piracy but they could do more to stamp it out, the UK Prime Minister’s intellectual property advisor says in a new paper.
Get Tested For Hepatitis C! – Interview With Abbott’s Gavin Cloherty 28/05/2014 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Gavin Cloherty is associate director of scientific affairs at the US molecular diagnosis developer Abbott Molecular. Abbott has a long-standing history of developing tests for detecting and monitoring hepatitis, among other areas. With Intellectual Property Watch, Cloherty discussed the burden of hepatitis C, the process of diagnosis and the importance of diagnosis for curbing and treating the disease.
WHO To Develop Global Action Plan Against Antibiotic Resistance 26/05/2014 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Faced with growing global concern over microbial resistance to antibiotic treatments, the World Health Assembly last week adopted a resolution to establish a global action plan on antimicrobial resistance.