Kenya’s Fledgling Innovation Agency Could Be Dissolved 10/06/2016 by Maina Waruru for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenya could disband its infant innovation agency and have its functions taken up by the state’s science, technology and innovation body, if changes suggested by the government to reform the science, technology and innovation (ST&I) sector are carried through.
EuroDIG 2016: Multi-Stakeholder Soul-Searching 09/06/2016 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Some 800 registered participants gathered for the European Dialogue on Internet Governance (EuroDIG) in Brussels today to talk about internet privacy, security and access. Besides the topical issues, the opening sessions speakers came back time and again to the discrepancy of theory and practice of the much-belaboured “multi-stakeholder principle.”
New Ideas Coming For WTO TRIPS Council; But Also Old Debate Over EU Drug Seizures 09/06/2016 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The European Union presenting its new Trademark Directive during this week’s meeting of the World Trade Organization intellectual property council heard concerns of possible seizures of generic medicines transiting through Europe. Meanwhile, the new Council chair’s attempts at revitalising discussions between member states received general approval. And a new agenda item on e-commerce was launched.
Special Report: Roundup Of US Copyright Office Review Of US Law 08/06/2016 by Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The United States Copyright Office is examining how provisions of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) and the 1976 Copyright Act are working and whether any changes, legislative or otherwise, are needed. Not surprisingly, there are broad differences of opinion among rights owners, public interest groups, users of copyrighted works and the high-tech community on both questions.
IP-Watch Seeking Writers In Brussels, Washington 03/06/2016 by Intellectual Property Watch, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Intellectual Property Watch is seeking occasional Freelance Writers based in the Washington DC Metro area, San Francisco Bay area, and in Brussels or London. Writers will assist with reporting, writing and publishing stories on international intellectual property and innovation policymaking and law. We are looking for writers who are experienced with delivering multimedia content on a digital news platform and through social media.
Interview – Indigenous Concern Over Rising Focus On IP In WIPO TK Talks 02/06/2016 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Indigenous peoples have been the victims of repeated acts of biopiracy while the international community has failed to act to prevent it, indigenous representatives said in an interview this week. The World Intellectual Property Organization has been discussing ways to address that issue for some 16 years, without success. As negotiators continue to seek consensus on what a potential treaty could achieve, indigenous peoples feel the spotlight has drifted from their issues to technical issues of the intellectual property system and highlighted attention on users of the system.
Innovation And Access: Fission Or Fusion? Interview With Dr. Kristina M. Lybecker, Associate Professor Of Economics At Colorado College 02/06/2016 by Guest contributor for Intellectual Property Watch 1 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 Dr. Kristina M. Lybecker, Associate Professor of Economics at Colorado College in Colorado Springs (US).
WIPO Seminar: Experts Discuss IP Protection Of Genetic Resources 31/05/2016 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Last week, the World Intellectual Property Organization held a seminar on intellectual property and genetic resources. For over a decade, WIPO members have been discussing ways to protect genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge from misappropriation. The seminar allowed speakers from different regions and interests to offer their views on the topic.
WHO Boosts Efforts For Plain Packaging 31/05/2016 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment “Tobacco-related illness is one of the biggest public health threats the world has ever faced,” according to the World Health Organization, and plain packaging of tobacco products can save lives, it said. The theme of this year’s no-tobacco day, today, is: Get ready for plain packaging, as the WHO is calling for countries to introduce plain packaging in their territories.
WHA Gets First UN Framework Managing Non-State Actors; Countries Satisfied, Actors Concerned 30/05/2016 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments The first agreement on how to manage relationships between a United Nations organisation and non-governmental actors, such as industry, philanthropic organisations and public interest groups, was adopted on 28 May by the World Health Assembly. The framework, which had been discussed for several years, was hailed as historic by many countries, but met a mixed reaction from those primarily concerned.