August/September Edition Of IP-Watch Monthly Reporter Now Available 11/08/2009 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The Intellectual Property Watch Monthly Edition features top news on international IP policymaking, the latest on who is coming and going in the international IP community, news briefs and more. The August/September edition is now available for subscribers.
Members Of Human Rights Expert Committee At UN Question Patents On Food 07/08/2009 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch 7 Comments A group of experts working as a think-tank for the United Nations Human Rights Council raised the issue of patents and food at a meeting this week. Meanwhile, a new report by the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food expected to be available at the end of August will focus on the intersection between intellectual property and the human right to food.
USPTO Nominee Kappos Appears To Clear First Senate Hurdle 29/07/2009 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday appeared to look favourably upon David Kappos, the Obama administration nominee for undersecretary of Commerce and director of the US Patent and Trademark Office. But in the process, Kappos showed possible weaknesses in separating himself from his job at IBM and the need for international diplomacy on IP enforcement.
Rumoured New US Ambassador To UN In Geneva A Major Obama Fundraiser 29/07/2009 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch and William New 1 Comment A Northern California academic and a top national fundraiser for President Obama may be the next US ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, according to sources. Eileen Chamberlain Donahoe, wife of eBay CEO and President John Donahoe, holds a law degree, two master’s degrees and a PhD in a variety of subjects, and is rumoured to be the nominee for the post empty since January.
ECOSOC Adopts Resolutions On Digital Divide, HIV/AIDS, But Hurdles Remain 29/07/2009 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) this week is concluding a month-long coordinating body meeting in Geneva by adopting resolutions on a range of public policy issues such as internet connectivity, science and technology, and HIV/AIDS.
US Biologics Debate Heats Up As Congress, Obama, Wrangle With Healthcare Reform 27/07/2009 by Liza Porteus Viana, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment As the United States Congress prepares to recess in early August, there’s hope – and dread, depending on which “side” of the debate you’re on – that legislation creating a regulatory pathway for follow-on biologics may be pushed through as part of the broader healthcare reform package.
EU Report Finds Fault With US Barriers To IP 27/07/2009 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 4 Comments The European Commission on Monday released a report finding fault with a number of United States practices related to intellectual property rights policy, on copyright, geographical indications, trademarks and patents. The report is an answer, one might say, to the US Special 301 report that criticises US trading partners it deems unilaterally to be insufficiently protecting its companies’ IP rights.
Lamy To Meet With WTO Membership On IP Issues; Breakthrough Unlikely 24/07/2009 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment World Trade Organization Director General Pascal Lamy on Monday is expected to inform members that months of informal consultations on two key intellectual property issues on which a majority of governments would like a clear negotiating mandate have not yet resulted in an agreement. But proponents are hopeful the high-level attention to the subject will help start progress toward resolution in the future.
Innovation Policy Needs National Focus, Use Of TRIPS Obligations, Panellists Say 20/07/2009 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Innovation is a main driver for economic growth and development for developing countries, said speakers at an event focusing on innovation in Brazil, India and South Africa. But although innovation is increasing and is a priority in developing economies, one expert said invention capabilities remain in the hands of historical players and governments need to seek innovative policy responses.
Life-Saving Mosquito Nets Subject Of Tiff Over Trade Secrets 17/07/2009 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment COPENHAGEN – While sales of insecticide-treated bed nets have skyrocketed in recent years and boosting their use is among the UN Millennium Development Goals, two producers of the nets have been caught in a rigorous legal case involving trade secrets. Now the English High Court has ruled that one of the companies, Bestnet, has misused the trade secrets of the other company, Vestergaard Frandsen (VF).