WIPO Could Enter Growing Fray Over Internet Domain Takedowns 17/02/2011 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments An influential private sector trademark defender is proposing to the World Intellectual Property Organization to undertake creation of an international “notice and takedown” system for alleged online trademark infringers. And he told Intellectual Property Watch that this will be followed in a few months by a separate proposal for a “notice-and-trackdown” article requiring internet service providers to divulge information about online counterfeiters so they can be gone after.
Brazil And The Defence Of Public Health: Do As I Say, Not As I Do 17/02/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments A recent decision issued by Advocacia-Geral da União (Advocacy-General of the Union) restricts the role performed by Anvisa – the National Agency for Health Surveillance – in examining pharmaceutical patent applications. This may represent a huge setback for commitments made by Brazilian government related to the protection of public health, writes Felipe Carvalho.
New Biodiversity Benefit-Sharing Protocol Relies On National Rules, Experts Say 07/02/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment PARIS – The recently agreed international instrument to facilitate access to genetic resources and the equitable sharing of benefits accrued from those resources opened for signature last week, and the text is already getting mixed reviews from stakeholders.
Nations Begin Signing Protocol On Biodiversity Access And Benefit-Sharing 07/02/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments Four developing countries have signed a recently completed international agreement on access to genetic resources and the fair retribution of benefits accrued from those resources. The protocol opened for signature in New York last week and efforts are underway to set up an information clearinghouse.
IP, Gender & Traditional Cultural Expressions 04/02/2011 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment A call for papers has been issued for an upcoming event on intellectual property rights, gender and traditional cultural expressions. Abstracts for papers are due on 18 February.
IP Enforcement Extravaganza Assails Consequences Of Counterfeits 03/02/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment PARIS – Counterfeiting and piracy are on the pillory at the annual event organised by three intergovernmental agencies fighting intellectual property rights infringement. Much of the emphasis of this year’s event is being placed on the danger to the consumers and the economic consequences of infringement as well as on the necessity of enforcement measures. But some developing country delegates present at the event raised concern that the event might not be taking their concerns sufficiently into account.
Are European Think Tanks Corporate Lobbyists By Another Name? 31/01/2011 by David Cronin for Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments Think tanks can be a godsend for reporters with a looming deadline. Almost invariably, they are staffed with articulate policy specialists, adept at summarising complex issues in a few quotable sentences. Frequently, too, the think tanks have neutral-sounding names, so a reader or viewer of news reports can easily believe that they are independent of vested interests. Closer inspection reveals that many of these “independent” bodies are in fact heavily reliant on corporate donations. This is especially the case for a number of think tanks working on intellectual property.
Last Online Voices Before Change Bursts From Digital Darkness In Egypt? 28/01/2011 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment For anyone in Egypt in recent months or years, it was impossible to ignore the extraordinary destitution of masses of people living in dusty, stark cement structures everywhere on the edges of Cairo or the choked roads clogged with a far-too-rapidly swollen population. Reports from the ground via digital technologies chronicled events that hit this week, but it might be the digital silence today that seals the change.
Innovation, Generic Drugs, Patents In Congress Follow Obama’s State of the Union Speech 28/01/2011 by Liza Porteus Viana, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments American lawmakers aren’t wasting any time getting down to business after President Obama stressed the importance of spurring innovation during his annual State of the Union address this week and cited the need for the United States to regain its competitive edge, particularly when up against countries such as China and India. A slew of related bills are emerging in Congress.
Midem Music Congress: The Two Universes Of The Music Business 26/01/2011 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment CANNES – More help from governments, a hope for new cloud music services and new markets in emerging countries like Brazil. India and China were on the wish list of the big music labels and publishers at this week’s annual industry bash in Cannes, France. Technology companies and the newly invited hackers were more concerned with new ways to better access music and connecting artists and fans.