Study: Boon Of Drugs, Vaccines From Public Research
A new study finds that publicly funded research has had a greater positive impact on public health than previously believed.
Intellectual Property Watch
Original news and analysis on international IP policy
Year 2011
Report: Nanotechnology Patents Spreading But Regulatory Framework Needed
The non-profit ETC Group has released a report on global governance of nanoscale technologies that showed that thousands of patents are being granted on this still little understood area of science.
Economist: Breadth Of Patent Portfolio Better Than Betting On One Winner
Determining the value of patented inventions is akin to a guessing game, said a speaker at the World Intellectual Property Organization yesterday. Companies should try to spread their patents over related technological innovations rather focusing on one patent, hoping it will be “the philosopher’s stone”.
US Chamber Of Commerce Releases 2011 IP Policy Agenda
The United States Chamber of Commerce, the industry lobbying giant in Washington, has issued its 2011 intellectual property agenda. The list of suggested legislative changes to be made by the Obama administration and the US Congress aim at further increasing resources and support for IP enforcement, including legislation to block websites deemed to infringe on IP rights.
Pharma Backs Calls For Extension Of TRIPS Deadline For Least-Developed Countries
Developed country pharmaceutical companies today announced their support for an extension of the deadline for poor countries to comply with a global trade agreement on intellectual property rights that would significantly raise their obligations to protect IP. The extension idea has been proposed by the United Kingdom government in a new trade strategy document.
New White House IP Advisory Committees Elevate IP Enforcement To Highest Level
US President Barack Obama this week used an executive order to create two government advisory committees on intellectual property rights enforcement. The committees put IP rights at the highest interagency level possible and have the stated aim of promoting innovation through the protection of such rights.
International Patent Filings Begin To Bounce Back; China Rocketing, US At Half-Mast
The storm appears to be subsiding for international patent filings as 2010 showed a cautious recovery in growth, the head of the World Intellectual Property Organization said today. After the first-ever drop in applications in 2009, 2010 filings almost returned to their 2008 level. And China holds pole position in growth numbers.
Leaks Show Real Aim Of ACTA, As Trade Chief Declares It Binding
The recently completed Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA), negotiated by the countries that own most of the world's intellectual property rights, is aimed at developing countries they hope will give value to those rights by protecting them, leaked documents show, according to French group La Quadrature du Net.
Veto Power For Governments Against Any Internet Domain Name?
The United States Department of Commerce National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is proposing possible veto power for governments against applications for new top-level domains. NTIA is asking for a change to domain name system management that would allow governments to object to any proposed internet address for any reason, which has not surprisingly stirred debate among some observers, including in Europe.
Would Canada-EU Trade Proposals Add $2.8 Billion Price Tag To Drugs Bill?
A study by the Canadian Generic Pharmaceuticals Association (CGPA) suggests that the European Union’s (EU) proposed changes to Canada’s patent system could add nearly $3 billion to Canada’s prescription drug bill.
Brazil’s Copyright Reform: Schizophrenia?
Pedro Paranaguá writes: Brazil's new Minister of Culture is under severe pressure from civil society groups, academics and some artists. After just a few weeks in power, Minister Ana de Hollanda issued an order to take the Creative Commons license off the Ministry's website. Why is that a problem?
US IP Enforcement Coordinator Issues Annual Report
The United States Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator today issued an annual report on IP enforcement. One year after her appointment, Coordinator Victoria Espinel claimed significant progress on the plan for the office set up to coordinate IP enforcement activities across various US government agencies.