TRIPS Council To Consider The Two Sides Of IP – Innovation Booster And Barrier 21/02/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The role of intellectual property in innovation is expected to be considered through different lenses at the upcoming meeting of the World Trade Organization committee on intellectual property. A group of developed countries have proposed an agenda item on inclusive innovation in micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, while discussions are expected on the report of the United Nations Secretary General’s High-Level Panel on Access to Medicines, and a side event featuring High-Level Panel members has been convened by a group of developing countries. Electronic commerce, and in particular copyright issues and electronic signatures are also on the agenda next week.
Pfizer CEO Ian Read Elected To Rotating IFPMA Presidency 30/11/2016 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Pfizer Board Chairman and CEO Ian Read has been elected as the next president of the Geneva-based International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA), a two-year role.
Big Week For WIPO Marrakesh Treaty On Access For Visually Impaired; Human Rights Side Under Focus 03/10/2016 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments The World Intellectual Property Organization treaty on copyright exceptions for print-disabled readers entered into effect on 30 September, and trading in accessible format works began immediately. This week, the treaty will be a highlight of the annual WIPO General Assemblies, and is expected to come up at the parallel UN Social Forum taking place next door.
Innovation And Access: Fission Or Fusion? Interview With Jennifer Dent, President, BIO Ventures For Global Health (BVGH) 01/09/2016 by Guest contributor for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment In the light of the UN High-Level Panel on Access to Medicines, this series of sponsored articles challenges experts to give their views on the policies that best support the development of solutions to societies’ greatest challenges and how enabling policy environments, including IP systems, influence the development and flow of new technologies and services in different sectors, fields of technology, and jurisdictions. The views expressed in the articles are those of the authors. Below is an interview with Jennifer Dent, President, BIO Ventures for Global Health (BVGH).
Special Report: Union Lawsuit Claims EPO Has Prevented It From Functioning; Office Claims Immunity 11/07/2016 by Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments Deteriorating relations between European Patent Office (EPO) management and staff union SUEPO have sparked another lawsuit in the district court in The Hague, Netherlands. The matter, which will be heard in a 15 July summary proceeding, alleges a pattern of threats, dismissals, suspensions from service and gagging of union members, said Prakken d’Oliveira attorney Liesbeth Zegveld, who represents SUEPO and its Dutch branch. Around one-third of union officials have been suspended, investigated or gagged, effectively preventing the union from functioning, she said in an interview. The lawsuits are just part of the ongoing turmoil affecting the EPO. Reform of the Boards of Appeal (BoA) has also proved controversial, and there are concerns about the reluctance of the Administrative Council to get a grip on the staff-management battle. The EPO said that, as an international organisation, it has immunity from such suits, as recently held by a German court. It defended its changes to the BoA, and announced an autumn conference for stakeholders to discuss an independent study on office social issues.
The Dutch & Pharma Policy: A Groundbreaking Presidency 05/07/2016 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The Netherlands’ Presidency of the European Council proved to be far from quiet in relation to pharmaceutical affairs. June 17 was the concluding Health Ministers Council (EPSCO) that signed off the most strongly-worded conclusions Brussels observers can recall. The meeting signaled the end of an overall successful and impactful Presidency in the highly sensitive field of medicines. The past semester has been eventful to say the least.
National Parliaments Not Needed For CETA Approval, European Commission President Juncker Says 29/06/2016 by Intellectual Property Watch 5 Comments European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said today that the European Union would not include national parliaments of EU member states in the final decision on the Canada-EU Trade Agreement (CETA). Juncker’s CETA statement was made during the post-Brexit meeting of EU heads of state in Brussels today (28 June), several German newspapers reported quoting the German News Agency (DPA).
Innovation et accès : fission ou fusion ? Entretien avec Tim Wilsdon, Vice-président de CRA 14/06/2016 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Dans le sillage du Groupe de Haut Niveau des Nations Unies sur l’accès aux médicaments, cette série d’articles sponsorisés convie des experts à donner leur point de vue sur les politiques les mieux à même de favoriser l’élaboration de solutions aux plus importants enjeux sociétaux ; ils nous expliquent aussi comment un cadre réglementaire favorable, y […]
Innovation And Access: Fission Or Fusion? Interview With Tim Wilsdon, CRA Vice President 25/05/2016 by Guest contributor for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment In the light of the UN High-Level Panel on Access to Medicines, this series of sponsored articles challenges experts to give their views on the policies that best support the development of solutions to societies’ greatest challenges and how enabling policy environments, including IP systems, influence the development and flow of new technologies and services in different sectors, fields of technology, and jurisdictions. The views expressed in the articles are those of the authors. Below is an interview with Tim Wilsdon, Vice President, CRA.
WHO Engagement With Outside Actors: Delegates Tight-Lipped, Civil Society Worried 24/05/2016 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments This week, country delegates meeting at the annual World Health Assembly are expected to come to an agreement on a framework managing the UN World Health Organization’s relationship with outside actors, such as the private sector, philanthropic organisations and civil society groups.