Trading’s End: Is ACTA The Leading Edge Of A Protectionist Wave?
Government policymakers are stalling on trade liberalization while erecting new nontransparent trade barriers, writes Frederick Abbott.
Intellectual Property Watch
Original news and analysis on international IP policy
Year 2011
TRIPS Amendments Needed To Restore Balance In IP, Researchers Say
Current global intellectual property obligations are seen by some as favouring rights holders to the detriment of the public interest, and a series of amendments to international rules on trade and IP could address this, says a new book from a respected European think tank.
WIPO Members Renew Debate Over Development Agenda Implementation, Coordination
A debate has arisen this week among World Intellectual Property Organization members over a WIPO secretariat report on implementation of the 2007 Development Agenda, which was intended to infuse a stronger development dimension into the UN agency’s activities.
World Health Ministers Pledge To Fight Non-Communicable Diseases
A pledge against the spread of cancer, diabetes, heart disease and other noncommunicable diseases was made last week by health ministers adopting a “Moscow Declaration” to prevent, and treat such illnesses.
Consumers’ Rights Still Not On Equal Footing With Copyright Owners’, Study Finds
The newly published third annual Consumers International IP Watchlist shows that most countries offer weak support for consumer interests in access to knowledge and the global copyright system seems ill-equipped to respond to the new consumer creativity evolving on internet. However, the study found that some countries are demonstrating good practices when it comes to consumers.
EU Announces €600M Euro Plan For ‘Internet Of The Future’
With the internet moving beyond connected computers to a new world of mobile-connected machines and objects, it is time to make the internet more capable of handling future data-streams, with increased accuracy, resiliency, and safety, the European Commission said today. In response, the Commission committed €300 million euros over 5 years, to be matched by European research, public sector and industry contributions, for innovation and helping European businesses and government find new internet solutions.
WIPO Internal Audit Division Seeks Consultants To Assess IP In Kenya
The World Intellectual Property Organization Internal Audit and Oversight Division is seeking expressions of interest from consultants to conduct an evaluation and analysis of Kenya’s performance with intellectual property rights during the years 2005 to 2010. The study aims to help WIPO members to assess the effect of the UN agency’s work in the country during that time, and to boost learning and accountability.
WHO Calls For Proposals To Finance R&D For Diseases Affecting Developing World
A call for proposals was launched today by the World Health Organization expert group in charge of making recommendations on ways to encourage and finance research and development for diseases that mostly affect developing countries.
Discount For IP-Watch Readers At LES Life Sciences Meeting, 4-6 May
Intellectual Property Watch readers have been offered a $200 savings on attendance at next week's spring meeting of the Licensing Executives Society in New York, focused on life sciences. This year's LES Spring Meeting will feature key topics facing IP, licensing and business development professionals in the life sciences industry including: Structuring Term Sheets, Option Agreements, Co-Development and Co-Promotion Deals, Profit Sharing vs. Revenue Sharing, Commercialization, Clean-Tech, Deal Negotiations, Bio-Fuels, Patent Litigation, Biosimilars, Cloud Computing, Antitrust Dos and Don'ts in Licensing and more. US Patent and Trademark Office Director David Kappos will keynote on improving the quality of healthcare, pharmaceutical and life science patents.
The meeting will take place from 4-6 May, at the Westin New York at Times Square. Read the full story for the program and promotional code.
WIPO Delegates Meet On IP And Development Implementation
Intellectual property has often been considered by developing countries as a hindrance to development rather than a driving force. Next week, delegates to the World Intellectual Property Organization will discuss the implementation of the organisation’s commitment to take development considerations more substantially into its work. In particular, delegates are expected to try to agree on the coordination mechanism of the committee responsible for the effort.
WHO: Chronic Diseases Can Be Reduced
The World Health Organization has launched today in Moscow its first Global Status Report on Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs).
US Mission To Fund WIPO Work On Counterfeits
The United States mission in Geneva announced today a new international initiative to raise public awareness about protection of intellectual property rights. The initiative is a cooperation with the World Intellectual Property Organization and has support from the governments of Kenya, Morocco and the Philippines, US Ambassador Betty King said at a reception.