Seminar Shows Continued Divergence Among Nations On Regulating Internet 14/02/2014 by Maëli Astruc for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment It is generally considered that internet governance and cyber safety issues should be addressed in a multilateral way, but several points remain highly controversial, such as the adoption of rules and modifications of internet governance to be made. These issues were the subject of a panel at the UN Institute for Disarmament Research this week.
South Africa Promotion And Protection Of Investment Bill 2013 – A Review 13/02/2014 by Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments On 1 November 2013, the South African Department of Trade and Industry published the draft “Promotion and Protection of Investment Bill” for comments. And two lawyers caution that if not careful, it could come in conflict with the country’s international intellectual property obligations.
DNDi Director: ‘Reality Check’ Needed For Neglected Diseases 11/02/2014 by Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments Research and development into neglected diseases – those predominately affecting poorer populations and for which there is little commercial incentive – is undergoing “remarkable advances and rude set-backs,” says Bernard Pécoul, executive director of the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi). Now, governments need to show stronger leadership in bringing about long-term solutions, he said.
Alert: Pharma IPR 2014 Conference In Mumbai, 26-28 February 10/02/2014 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Dear Subscribers, CPhI’s 3rd Annual Pharma IPR 2014 conference to take place from 26-28 February, 2014 in Mumbai, India will have techno-legal experts from over 10+ regions speaking on the recent case studies on global Pharma and Biopharma patent laws. Among them, Jeffery Alan Hovden, Partner, Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi LLP from US will be speaking on critical developments in US pharma patent law in the year 2013 which have affected pharma and biopharma industry. He will also share best strategies on how Indian generic-drug and biologics enterprises need to go forward with their US-related projects. Some of the critical concerns he is planning to address include: Which pharmaceutical and diagnostic compounds and processes can even obtain a US patent? Whether the new, cheap and fast patent-challenge procedures are right for Indian companies in the life-sciences area? How to avoid paying the attorney fees for the other side in US litigation and indeed, how an Indian company might turn the tables and have the other side pay the company’s attorney fees? You can view his insights on “US Patent Law in 2013: Winds of Change” by clicking here. To optimise interactions with the audience, he and other global techno-legal experts would also be available in query handling sessions as well as one-on-one meetings, to discuss your concerns related to the US patent system. Click here to go through the detailed programme agenda. You can read more about the conference speakers here. To be a part of this exclusive event, please contact the organisers at +91 (22) 6172 7001 / conferences-india@ubm.com, or register online and take advantage of the special offers for you as you are our subscribers. P.S. You may find one of his earlier presentations on “From Small to Big: Some useful points in the coming shift from customary drugs to biologics” interesting – View the presentation here
Amid Proposals, Ambassadors Fail To Unlock WIPO Talks On TK, GRs 04/02/2014 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The World Intellectual Property Organization committee working on ways to protect genetic resources and traditional knowledge opened a weeklong meeting yesterday by gathering country ambassadors to try to inject momentum into discussions. But after the session, it appeared that many delegations had restated known positions. Everybody seemed to agree on broad goals, but not on the way to reach them.
Move On Data Protection Or Fail On TTIP, EU Parliament Chair Says 02/02/2014 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments At the Munich Security Conference a year ago, there was a considerable first push for the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). Eight months after the start of official TTIP negotiations and with the Snowden revelations in between, the tone at the 50th edition of the high-level foreign policy event in Munich is somewhat changed.
New Study Makes Case for Innovative Medicines 31/01/2014 by Julia Fraser for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A new pharmaceutical industry-backed study draws attention to the value of innovative medicines in reducing healthcare costs and to the wider society that goes beyond clinical and personal values. However, in middle income countries, national prioritisation and improvements in healthcare infrastructure are needed to maximise the value of medicinal innovation, the study found.
Year Ahead: Internet Governance After Snowden: Cacophony Of Conferences 30/01/2014 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments Those interested in internet governance will have to put some money aside for 2014: rarely have there been so many conferences to talk about how to manage core internet resources and develop the common rules to govern more general aspects of global net communication.
At WIPO, Nations See Different Needs From Patent System 27/01/2014 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment An important international platform that has seen stark differences in the past, the World Intellectual Property Organization Standing Committee on the Law of Patents (SCP) began a weeklong meeting today on improving the patent system with parties promoting their own interests and asking straightforward questions of others.
WHO Sets Path For Model R&D Projects For Developing Countries 25/01/2014 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments Members of the World Health Organization Executive Board this week moved forward on the long path to new ways to spur research and development for diseases that mainly afflict poor populations. A process has been set for considering – and potentially choosing among – eight projects before the annual World Health Assembly in May.