Special Report: Russia Amends IP Law In Advance Of WTO Accession 12/07/2012 by Daria Kim for Intellectual Property Watch 4 Comments By September of this year, Russia is expected to become the 154th member of the World Trade Organization – 19 years after the accession application was received and the Working Party on the Accession of the Russian Federation established in June 1993. In advance of the accession, the Russian intellectual property rights law is being amended to meet the WTO accession requirements.
WIPO Folklore Committee Stuck In Starting Blocks; Indigenous Peoples Wave UN Declaration 09/07/2012 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments On opening day of weeklong meeting of the World Intellectual Property Organization committee on the protection of folklore, what was characterised as a procedural matter by the chair kept delegates in informal consultations most of the day without reaching a compromise on the agenda. And at the outset, a panel of Indigenous Peoples reminded delegates of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and called for considerations of the Declaration during this week’s negotiations.
ITU To Hold High-Level Talks On “Innovation-Stifling, Rampant” Patent Litigation 06/07/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The UN International Telecommunication Union (ITU) today announced it will hold a high-level meeting on the global surge in standards-related patent litigation which it said is stifling innovation in information and communications technology.
Switzerland Most Innovative Economy, Global Divide Persists, Says WIPO/INSEAD Index 03/07/2012 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The Global Innovation Index 2012 launched today by the World Intellectual Property Organization and INSEAD shows a clear innovation divide in world economies. It advises countries to maintain their efforts to support and foster innovation despite the lingering economic crisis, as a key element of sustainable growth.
WIPO Lauded For New Beijing Treaty On Audiovisual Performances 29/06/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments The UN World Intellectual Property Organization is centre stage when it comes to international IP policymaking, and has hosted great progress during the past 20 years by all accounts. But apart from updates and modifications to existing treaties, and its 2007 Development Agenda, its members have not managed to complete a major new treaty since 1996. Until now.
Keeping Pace With The IP Crowd’s Latest Moves 27/06/2012 by Rachel Marusak Hermann, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment From government appointments and committee creations to key additions in the non-profit sector and industry advocacy’s revolving door, we’ve kept up with all of the latest hires, resignations, retirements and promotions over the past few months so you don’t miss a beat. Check out who you need to know.
Meryl Streep, Other Top Actors, Urge WIPO To Finish Audiovisual Treaty 21/06/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments World Intellectual Property Organization members yesterday resumed a 12-year-old top-level negotiation for a treaty on the protection of performers’ rights in audiovisual productions, this time with the eloquent urgings of some of the world’s top film and television actors to finish the job.
An Anthem To Ignorance: South Africa’s Case Of Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika 20/06/2012 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The South African national anthem comprises the works Nkosi Sikelela’ iAfrika and Die Stem, which was formerly the national anthem. Nkosi has passed into the public domain and contrary to various claims cannot be used as the basis for royalty claims arising out of its use. The music of Die Stem is however still under copyright but its ownership has reverted from the State to the heirs of the composer in terms of the reversionary interest provisions of the British Imperial Copyright Act and is thus the subject of private ownership. In principle royalties can be charged in respect of its use as part of the current national anthem.
Rio+20 Conference Opens With IP, Tech Transfer, Underlying Debate 18/06/2012 by Patralekha Chatterjee for Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments As world leaders along with thousands of government, private sector and nonprofit participants, get ready to meet in Rio de Janeiro this week, 20 years after this Brazilian city hosted the historic first Earth Summit, there are fears that there may be no meaningful consensus on how the world can become more liveable and sustainable at the same time. And technology transfer, research and development, intellectual property rights are part of the debate.
UNCTAD Report Sees Sustainable African Growth In IP Flexibilities 15/06/2012 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The United Nations agency on trade and development this week published its Economic Development in Africa 2012 report, which argued, among other things, that the region’s sustainable future depends on using flexibilities in intellectual property rights as appropriate.