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Intellectual Property Law

Intellectual Property Watch

Reports on the interests and behind-the-scenes dynamics that influence the design and implementation of international intellectual property policies.
By Intellectual Property Watch

Post Frequency: 15.8/day

Last Entry: April 01, 2011 at 09:41:17

Internet Governance Forum Leader Joins ISOC

Posted on January 24, 2011
Markus Kummer, the long-time Swiss diplomat who has headed the secretariat to the multistakeholder Internet Governance Forum, has become vice president for public policy at the Internet Society in Geneva. The IGF was an outgrowth of the 2003-2005 World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS)...

Global Fund Faces Problems Of Fraud Among Recipients

Posted on January 24, 2011
Today, the Global Fund sought to settle concerns about fraud involving millions of dollars it provided to several African countries. The fund had been strongly supported by developed countries for its direct model of providing funds for health work on the ground in developing countries, and evidence of corruption among recipients drew international attention...

ACTA Inconsistent With European Law, Legal Experts Say

Posted on January 23, 2011
The recently completed Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) is not fully consistent with European Union law and goes beyond international law in some of its aspects, concluded a group of intellectual property law experts from universities in Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, France and Spain...

WHO R&D Financing Committee Approved With Swiss Expert As Both Suspect and Jury

Posted on January 22, 2011
World Health Organization members yesterday struck a compromise allowing a Swiss industry representative to sit on a committee selecting proposals for research and developing financing for neglected diseases, disregarding the fact that he is author of one of the proposals...

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2011: Renewed Fights Over Internet Control In A Post-Wikileaks World

Posted on January 19, 2011
For many experts in internet governance the future of the multi-stakeholder model is the top issue in 2011. The participation of governments, technical experts, industry and civil society in discussions about how best to organise - and regulate - society on the net is at stake...

WHO Members Show Dismay At Delay On Counterfeit Medicines Group

Posted on January 19, 2011
World Health Organization members today raised strong concerns that a working group they mandated last May to address problems with WHO policy on counterfeit and substandard medicines has yet to be formed - with four months remaining before it must report back to members...

New Rules Eyed For Election Of WHO Director General

Posted on January 18, 2011
With the World Health Organization director general?s term of office ending next year, WHO members today set up a drafting group to try to reconcile divergent views on the process leading to the election. Some countries are in favour of a principle of geographical rotation - citing over 60 years of no regional representation, while some other countries claimed more important selection criteria such as expertise and experience, and could endanger the organisation?s future...

WHO Future In Question, Debate Over Industry Representation

Posted on January 17, 2011
A seemingly overworked and impoverished World Health Organization opened its Executive Board session today with calls for reform amid deep concerns about its financial future. Meanwhile, dissension arose over an industry representative named by the WHO secretariat to a new research and development funding working group, sparking the WHO director general to cast doubt on the role of industry in such groups...

Fair Usage In Caribbean Intellectual Property

Posted on January 16, 2011
A panoramic view of the IP situation in the Caribbean would present to the observer a carnival of Olympic size replete with politicians, diplomats, rights advocates, consumer groups, law enforcement, and impotent jurists, all gyrating discordantly to the WIPO band while Caribbean citizens look on, or are pulled or shoved in, writes Abiola Inniss...

WTO Negotiators Draft Register For Geographical Indications

Posted on January 14, 2011
In what the World Trade Organization is signalling as a breakthrough, negotiators have come up with a draft text for an international register of geographical indications, or product names derived from places or special characteristics. The register was agreed to as part of the 2001 Doha Round of talks, but has proven contentious as countries [...

Europe?s Outlook For 2011: EU Patent, Digital Content, Innovation And Free Trade

Posted on January 13, 2011
The Digital Agenda's hoped-for role as a key growth driver for Europe?s flagging economy has pushed intellectual property issues into a high-priority spot on the EU?s policy agenda for 2011. In an effort to boost job creation and innovation, the European Commission is looking to improve online content licensing, access and protection...

Lawmakers Backing Comcast-NBC Merger Were Paid By Comcast

Posted on January 13, 2011
Comcast gave money to the vast majority of the 97 members of the US House of Representatives that signed a letter to the Federal Communications Commission urging approval of a merger between cable company Comcast and broadcaster NBC Universal, according to research...

US Supreme Court Expected To Weaken Patent Validity

Posted on January 12, 2011
Patents will soon receive less protection in the United States. That?s the view of many experts who have been closely following Microsoft Corp. v. i4i Ltd. Partnership, which will be argued before the United States Supreme Court later this year. Related Articles:In Bilski Decision, US Supreme Court Adopts Tough But Vague Test for Business Method Patents The Top Legal IP Issues In The United States In 2011 New US Senate Patent Reform Bill Brings Many Reactions

The 2011 Drug Patent ?Cliff? And The Evolution Of IP Valuation

Posted on January 11, 2011
In today?s global economy, there is an increasing convergence of intellectual property and finance. Wall Street is grappling with how to recognise the true value of a firm?s intellectual property. Companies are realising that simply accumulating patents does not necessarily increase their firms? value, but it is how those patents are used that can attract capital...

Report Shows IP Rightsholders Being Left Behind In Online Commerce

Posted on January 11, 2011
A new private sector report shows that billions of visitors are going to websites selling products and services worldwide, but accentuates the fact that most of these visits involve transactions not controlled by the intellectual property rights owners...

WTO Plans Talks On Geographical Indications

Posted on January 11, 2011
World Trade Organization members are scheduled to meet this week to discuss a geographical indications register as part of the intensifying negotiations under the Doha Round. Related Articles:WTO Session On GIs, Part Of Doha “Final Countdown” Proponents Seek To Develop Policy Potential Of US Geographical Indications WTO Members Discuss GIs As EU Proposes Higher Regional Protection

Patent Reform, Piracy, Generic Drug Issues Likely For US Congress This Year

Posted on January 11, 2011
Although attempts to repeal last year?s healthcare reform bill and efforts to get the deficit under control may take up much of the United States Congress? time this year, lawmakers are expected to tackle a number of intellectual property-related priorities lawmakers, including patent reform, internet neutrality, and enforcement during the new 112th session...

EFF Examples Of Public Benefit Of Wikileaks

Posted on January 11, 2011
The Electronic Frontier Foundation has posted several examples of benefits to the public of disclosures of confidential documents by Wikileaks. Details here. Related Articles:Wikileaks Creator, In Geneva, Denounces US Abuse Of Human Rights EFF, 7,000 Petitioners Urge FCC To Protect Net Neutrality What If There Were An Application For Dot Wikileaks? Related Articles:Wikileaks Creator, In Geneva, Denounces US Abuse Of Human Rights EFF, 7,000 Petitioners Urge FCC To Protect Net Neutrality What If There Were An Application For Dot Wikileaks?

The Top Legal IP Issues In The United States In 2011

Posted on January 07, 2011
The year 2010 was a turbulent year for intellectual property law in the United States, and 2011 promises more of the same. The following are some of the top US IP developments to watch in the coming year. Related Articles:Year Ahead: Five Key IP Cases To Watch In The United States In 2010 Year Ahead: Range Of IP Policy Issues May See Action In United States In 2010 An Eventful Week For IP Policymaking In The United States

Special Report: Music Industry’s Lavish Lobby Campaign For Digital Rights

Posted on January 06, 2011
The music industry has spent tens of millions of dollars to lobby government officials worldwide during the past decade, but whether or not the initiative has helped to shape a viable legal and commercial framework is a subject of debate. Related Articles:Special Report: Are Copyright Trolls The Future Of Digital Content Protection? Campaign Aims To Take Back Consumer Rights Over IP-Protected Products Special Report: The Potential Consequences of Google’s Electronic Book Initiative

Roche Exec Takes Over At Medicines For Malaria Venture

Posted on January 06, 2011
A top Swiss company executive on pandemic influenza and HIV/AIDS research took the reins of the Geneva-based Medicines for Malaria Venture this week, just weeks after MMV was given international organisation status by the Swiss government. Related Articles:WHO Members Again Attempt Global Plan Against Pandemics US Ambassador In Geneva Defends Secrecy In UN Pandemics Negotiations Agencies Talk Cooperation On Medicines Access; Stakeholders Cautious

IP & Traditional Cultural Expressions: An Unnatural Alliance?

Posted on January 05, 2011
Incorporating traditional cultural expressions into an intellectual property system will be an uphill battle, warned a panellist at a recent side event at the World Intellectual Property Organization. But, argued another, it could be one of the best ways for indigenous communities to benefit from their knowledge...

IP-Watch In Podcast On Patent Trolls + IP And Development

Posted on January 05, 2011
Intellectual Property Watch Director and Editor-in-Chief William New recently participated in a podcast discussing IP and development, particularly at WIPO, and the latest on patent trolls around the world. Related Articles:IP-Watch Chairs IP Law Summit Special Report: Are Copyright Trolls The Future Of Digital Content Protection? Medicines Patent Pool Seeks Business Director

New Guide To TRIPS Health Provisions In FTAs

Posted on January 04, 2011
A new policy guide has been released that analyzes the public health effects of intellectual property rights provisions in bilateral trade agreements. The guide has a special focus on the Eastern Mediterranean region. Related Articles:Tough IP Health Provisions In Europe’s Colombia/Peru Trade Deal Indian Official: ACTA Out Of Sync With TRIPS and Public Health Health Waiver, IP Enforcement Discussed At Lively WTO TRIPS Council Meeting

Patent On AIDS Medicine Denied In India; Seen Unlocking Market

Posted on January 04, 2011
A decision by the Indian Patent Office to reject a patent on an AIDS drug last week has drawn acclaim from civil society and Indian generic pharmaceutical industries. The decision was not based on a controversial article of Indian law aimed at preventing patent extensions but rather on the grounds of non-inventiveness...

Net Censorship Fears As Hungary Takes EU Presidency

Posted on January 03, 2011
An internet civil liberties group in Hungary has warned that the country's new media law gives the government censorship authority, threatening freedom of speech and independent journalism. The law took effect on 1 January - at the same time Hungary assumed the six-month presidency of the European Union, raising fears of EU level spread of such policies...

Drug R&D Advocate Named Kenyan Ambassador To UN Geneva

Posted on January 03, 2011
An official who is has been an active voice in access to medicines policymaking in Geneva has taken over as the new permanent representative of Kenya to the United Nations Office at Geneva. Related Articles:US Ambassador In Geneva Defends Secrecy In UN Pandemics Negotiations Worning Named Acting Head Of WHO IP Division USTR Names New Ambassador To WTO; Ag Negotiator

New Leadership At INTA

Posted on January 03, 2011
The International Trademark Association today announced the appointment of its 2011 president, the first INTA president from a non-English speaking country.

Nations Closer To Pandemic Vaccine Framework, Key Negotiator Says

Posted on December 24, 2010
There could be some good news in 2011 for poor populations concerned about the impact of devastating pandemic diseases. Nations last week reached some breakthroughs behind closed doors in the sensitive international negotiations on finding a way to ensure all global citizens can obtain vaccines in the face of pandemics, according to a leading official in the talks...

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