Seeking GI Protection For Feni, An Indian Brew With A Strong Whiff 09/04/2008 by Frederick Noronha for Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments By Frederick Noronha for Intellectual Property Watch GOA, INDIA – Feni, liquor distilled from cashew apple, is a traditional drink from a small state. Centuries after it was first used in its native Goa, the alcohol is seeking to branch into new markets and attract more drinkers. Officials here believe the geographical indication route could […]
New National-Level Programmes Echo WIPO Patent Treaty 01/04/2008 by Liza Porteus Viana, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By Liza Porteus Viana for Intellectual Property Watch NEW YORK – The Japanese Patent Office in April will introduce a new policy called JP-First, which aims to release patent examination results of applications first filed with the JPO to major patent offices throughout the world, including in some developing countries. The initiative and others could be steps toward allowing patent filers to bypass an established international treaty on patents, sources said. Also at the event, government officials and academics also discussed copyright developments in Canada. US experts argued that Canada is not doing its part to crack down on piracy, while the Canadians said they are actually setting the bar in some areas in terms of protecting copyrighted works.
Industry Losing Faith In WIPO; Debates US WTO Cases Against China 28/03/2008 by Liza Porteus Viana, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments By Liza Porteus Viana for Intellectual Property Watch NEW YORK–The World Intellectual Property Organization is seen as in a state of tumult these days, as the global body searches for a new director general and tries to grapple with issues such as implementing a Development Agenda and further harmonising global patent regimes. And some industry […]
Revision of Swiss Copyright Law Raises Moderate Protest 20/03/2008 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By Catherine Saez Switzerland has adopted a new copyright law strengthening the rights of performers, producers and copyright owners online that appears less stringent than similar legislation adopted in some peer countries, according to observers. Nevertheless, some activists still see the Swiss law as jeopardising users’ rights.
Débat sur la neutralité du Net aux Etats-Unis : des implications sur la gouvernance mondiale de l’Internet 20/03/2008 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Par Liza Porteus Viana pour Intellectual Property Watch NEW YORK – Le débat sur la neutralité du réseau Internet fait rage aux Etats-Unis. Certains observateurs estiment que l’adoption d’une loi dans ce domaine pourrait permettre de définir des principes généraux pour la gouvernance d’Internet à l’avenir. La neutralité du réseau Internet (« neutralité du Net […]
Le Comité du droit d’auteur de l’OMPI en a fini pour cette année; les exceptions et limitations «ont leur raison d’être» 19/03/2008 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Par William New Mercredi, la rencontre du Comité permanent du droit d’auteur et des droits connexes (SCCR) de l’Organisation mondiale de la propriété intellectuelle (OMPI) s’est achevée sur une note très semblable à celles des années précédentes, avec le même président, une domination européenne, aucun accord conclu, et des avis divergents concernant une proposition de […]
Fin del trabajo del año del comité de derecho de autor de la OMPI. Las excepciones y limitaciones “están aquí para quedarse” 19/03/2008 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Por William New El miércoles el comité de derecho de autor de la Organización Mundial de la Propiedad Intelectual (OMPI) concluyó su trabajo hasta noviembre próximo de una manera similar a como lo hizo en los últimos años: con el mismo presidente, el dominio europeo, sin acuerdo y con opiniones divididas sobre un tratado propuesto […]
A Telling Year Ahead For Free And Open Source Technologies 18/03/2008 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By Kaitlin Mara The year 2008 is one of consolidation and maturation for alternatives to traditional intellectual property rights made possible by the ease of information transfer via the Internet. The free and open source software community is growing more prominent, and the access to knowledge communities are expanding to include a broader range and deeper understanding of their issues.
Brazil Wrestles With Decision On GM Corn, Seed Patenting 17/03/2008 by Claudia Jurberg for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment By Claudia Jurberg for Intellectual Property Watch RIO DE JANEIRO – After 10 years of debate, Brazil approved in February the commercialisation of two varieties of genetically modified corn, a highly contentious decision in the country that has become linked to concerns about seed patenting by multinational companies. Now, sale of GM corn in the […]
Tussle Over Participation In India Compulsory Licence Hearing 14/03/2008 by Tatum Anderson for Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments By Tatum Anderson for Intellectual Property Watch Swiss pharmaceutical company Roche is expected to appear before the Indian Patent Office on 17 March to assert its right to attend a later meeting that could result in one of its drugs being copied, without its permission, by an Indian generic pharmaceutical company. The hearing is due […]