Thorny Issues Remain In EU-India Trade Talks
According to European Trade Commissioner Karel de Gucht, there are still thorny issues on the table in the ongoing EU-India free trade agreement talks, including intellectual property issues.
Intellectual Property Watch
Original news and analysis on international IP policy
Year 2011
Panel: Indigenous Rights Integral To Treaty On Knowledge, Folklore and Genes
Although indigenous peoples’ rights are recognised in a number of international declarations, the implementation of those rights is difficult to achieve, according to panellists at an event opening this week’s World Intellectual Property Organization negotiations toward a treaty to protect traditional knowledge, folklore and genetic resources.
ACTA Still Open To Interpretation, Legal Experts Say; Transparency Fight Ongoing
The Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) is open for interpretation, perhaps too much so, legal experts on both sites of the Atlantic are warning.
Developing Countries Need Help To Get Research Results Patented, IP Proponent Says
Developing countries are not taking advantage of discoveries made by their scientists and researchers because they lack an appropriate intellectual property infrastructure and expertise, according to a long-time United States proponent of IP rights speaking in Geneva last week. He called for development funds to be redirected to address these shortcomings rather than only supporting IP enforcement initiatives.
Extra Time For Japanese Patent Filers
Patent offices in developed and developing countries answered a call from the Japan Patent Office for “bail-out measures” for Japanese patent applicants who were affected by the tsunami on 11 March.
TiVo Case More Closely Aligns US With Europe On Patent Infringement Contempt Cases
The United States recently changed one important aspect of enforcing patent rights. Patent owners who wish to use contempt proceedings to stop adjudged infringers from committing additional infringements must comply with the new standards laid down in TiVo Inc. v. EchoStar Corp. The decision, which brings US law closer to that of European countries, makes it easier for patentees to bring contempt actions, but may sometimes make it harder to win these actions.
US Senator Introduces ‘Do-Not-Track’ Legislation
The chairman of the United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation has announced he will introduce legislation that would allow consumers to control the collection and use of their personal information by online companies. The bill would include the possibility of enforcement action against non-complying companies.
UNCTAD: Bundle Of Opportunities To Improve Medicines Access In LDCs
Access to essential medicines in least developed countries (LDCs) could be facilitated through local production, according to a report released today by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.
WIPO Committee On Development Agenda Suspended, Discussions Bogged Down
The World Intellectual Property Organization committee in charge of overseeing the implementation of the organisation’s cornerstone Development Agenda, ended abruptly when the session was suspended after a strong disagreement over a development project.
US Gets Threatening Over ICANN’s New Internet Domain Plan
US Assistant Secretary for Commerce Larry Strickling said yesterday the Obama administration expects all issues to be resolved before the internet is opened to a large number of new top-level domains. And he hinted that the US might reconsider the special role of the internet coordination body if it does not comply.
WIPO Members To Work Toward Treaty On Folklore, Traditional Knowledge, Genetic Resources
Building on recent momentum that has produced negotiating texts towards an international instrument to protect folklore, traditional knowledge and genetic resources, delegates to the World Intellectual Property Organization next week will try to clean the texts that still bear signs of division.
USPTO Director Kappos Outlines A Pro-Active, Value-Driven Patent Office
NEW YORK – The United States Patent and Trademark Office is operating at a “higher level” these days, trying to look beyond patent numbers to patent quality and value, USPTO Director David Kappos told a group of licensing executives yesterday.