Consensus On Principles Difficult To Bake Into Two-Day NetMundial 24/04/2014 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Consensus on the outcome document seemed elusive on day one of the NetMundial meeting that started in Sao Paulo yesterday. But ambitions are high for many.
Ten Questions About Internet Governance 22/04/2014 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment On April 23 in Sao Paulo, Brazil, the “Global Multistakeholder Meeting on the Future of Internet Governance,” also known as “NETmundial” in an allusion to the global football event that will occur later in that country, will be convened. Juan Alfonso Fernández González of the Cuban Communications Ministry and a veteran of the UN internet governance meetings, raises 10 questions that need to be answered at NETmundial.
Panel Looks At Public Hospitals And Innovation 22/04/2014 by Joséphine De Ruyck for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Public institutions often appear as lagging behind the private sector in innovation, especially in medical and healthcare science. But for the past decade, numerous international projects in public hospitals have included innovation as a driving force in their overall strategy development, according to speakers at a recent panel.
20 Years Of TRIPS: Max Planck Launches Declaration On Patent Protection 16/04/2014 by Maëli Astruc for Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The Max Planck Institute for Innovation and Competition has launched a Declaration on Patent Protection with the aim to “clarify some of the regulatory options states still retain under international law, in particular the TRIPS Agreement,” which turns 20 years old this year.
Copyright Ruling In US May Impair Free Speech 14/04/2014 by Steven Seidenberg for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The 9th Circuit’s recent decision in Garcia v. Google has sparked outrage among many internet businesses, media organisations, civil rights groups, and copyright experts. They assert the ruling significantly alters US law in a manner that will greatly restrict free speech. But a minority of experts say there is nothing to fear.
Geneva Health Forum Meets To Discuss Solutions To Common Problems 11/04/2014 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The Geneva Health Forum (GHF), taking place on 15-17 April in Geneva, will discuss the theme “Global Health: Interconnected Challenges, Integrated Solutions.” This year’s forum aims to encourage an “integrative approach” to global health, “which better captures the underlying causes of ill-health and recognises the commonalities that underlie people’s health around the world,” says GHF.
Geneva Internet Platform Launches: Neutral Ground For Net Governance 09/04/2014 by Maëli Astruc for Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments With yesterday’s launch of the new Geneva Internet Platform, global internet governance stakeholders have a new venue for neutral engagement.
WHO Guidelines May Help With Price Reductions For Hepatitis C Drugs 09/04/2014 by Julia Fraser for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Guidelines for the treatment of hepatitis C released by the World Health Organization today recommend revolutionary new drugs for the virus. However, the exorbitant price of these drugs means they will remain out of reach for most of the millions infected. The WHO guidelines themselves offer limited recommendation for reducing prices, but may help in creating the conditions for price reduction by accruing demand and giving countries official backing in price negotiations.
MPP Drug Licensing Deal Brings Hope For Greater Access To HIV Treatments 04/04/2014 by Julia Fraser for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) this week announced two new licencing agreements with the private sector joint venture ViiV Healthcare that will increase access to a new antiretroviral in countries hardest hit by HIV.
Protection Of Folklore In Draft International Instrument Under Discussion At WIPO 02/04/2014 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment World Intellectual Property Organization delegates this week are trying to refine draft articles relating to the protection of traditional cultural expressions (folklore) that could form the basis for an international instrument. Delegates also are considering the connection of the issue to traditional knowledge.