European Copyright Reform On Slow Track, Observers Say 27/02/2013 by Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment European talks aimed at dragging copyright law into the digital age are not likely to produce results any time soon because of resistance from rights holders and political manoeuvring in the European Commission, players from the internet service provider and consumer sectors say. But the Commission said while it’s true that changes could take several years, there will be regulation if needed.
Closed Discussions At WIPO On Treaty For Blind, As New Text Emerges 19/02/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Delegates at the World Intellectual Property Organization working to clean the text of a potential treaty facilitating access to books for visually impaired people produced a new version this morning.
WIPO Delegates To Clean Text Of Blind Treaty Before Diplomatic Conference In June 15/02/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Hopes of the visually impaired community were rewarded in December when the World Intellectual Property Organization delegates agreed on a high level meeting anticipated to agree on a treaty providing exceptions to copyright facilitating access to books in special formats for blind and visually impaired people. However some outstanding issues remain and delegates will try to find consensus next week.
UN Takes On Organised Crime And Fraudulent Medicines 15/02/2013 by William New and Tiphaine Nunzia Caulier for Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The United Nations has become a focal point for global efforts to fight organised crime’s trafficking of fraudulent medicines that put millions of people – especially the poor – at risk. And a recent pharmaceutical industry report on such medicines recommended some solutions.
EU Digital Agenda 101: From Supporting Research To Meeting Social Challenges 13/02/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The following is a reprint from the EU research and development network, Cordis, summarising recent activity on the EU Digital Agenda. The Digital Agenda for Europe and its 101 actions form a vital part of the overall Europe 2020 strategy for securing smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. The actions are organised in seven pillars, or ‘containers’: digital single market, interoperability and standards, trust and security, fast and ultra-fast internet access, research and innovation, digital literacy, skills and inclusion, and ICT-enabled benefits for EU society. In the previous part of this story we covered the digital single market, interoperability, security, and fast internet access. Next we look at ICT support for research…
Year Ahead In IP, Biotech, Biodiversity: A Trio Fuelling Debates, Opportunities In 2013 12/02/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The coming year promises to be very interesting at the intersection of intellectual property with biotechnology and biodiversity. Patentability of human genes in the United States, of conventionally bred plants in Europe, plant breeders’ rights and the management of regulatory authorisations when patents on genetic traits expire, the future of genetically modified organisms in developing countries, and the usual resistance they are meeting from civil society and famers’ groups are some of the issues that will continue to feed debates – and potentially create opportunities – in 2013.
Report Proposes Solutions To Address Non-Communicable Diseases 11/02/2013 by Tiphaine Nunzia Caulier for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment An industry-backed group of experts has issued a report identifying significant obstacles to addressing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and proposing solutions to reduce premature deaths caused by NCDs.
WIPO: Positions Locked On Protection Of Genetic Resources; Experts To The Rescue 05/02/2013 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Delegates attending the World Intellectual Property Organization’s committee on genetic resources this week restated their long-held positions on the issue at the start of the meeting yesterday before letting a secluded expert group try to bridge gaps.
Upcoming Law Summit To Address IP Management, Enforcement 04/02/2013 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The 15th IP Law Summit, produced by Marcus Evans, is scheduled for 21-23 March in Colorado Springs, Colorado, US. Gathering corporate senior IP Counsel together with service providers, the Summit will offer a focused discussion of cutting-edge technology, strategy and products driving the IP marketplace.
Mediator’s Report On EU Copyright Levies Recommends Major Changes 31/01/2013 by Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Copies made by end-users for private purposes in the context of a service previously licensed by copyright holders don’t cause harm that should be subject to private copying levies on reproduction devices such as MP3 players, blank DVDs and photocopiers, a European Commission-appointed mediator said in recommendations published on 31 January. António Vitorino suggested major changes to Europe’s copy levy system to align it with the digital world, but said at a press briefing that “there is still some way to go” to bring stakeholder positions together.