WIPO Issues Tribute To Pete Seeger
The World Intellectual Property Organization has posted a tribute to legendary American folk singer, songwriter and activist Pete Seeger, who died on 27 January at the age of 94.
Intellectual Property Watch
Original news and analysis on international IP policy
Year 2014
Move On Data Protection Or Fail On TTIP, EU Parliament Chair Says
At the Munich Security Conference a year ago, there was a considerable first push for the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). Eight months after the start of official TTIP negotiations and with the Snowden revelations in between, the tone at the 50th edition of the high-level foreign policy event in Munich is somewhat changed.
WIPO Patent Law Committee Agrees On Studies, Seminars, Website Updates
Members of the World Intellectual Property Organization patent law committee this week bridged significant differences and agreed on a range of activities for future work, each with their own goals for the international patent system in mind.
US Highest, India Lowest On US Chamber International IP Index
The United States Chamber of Commerce Global Intellectual Property Center this week released a report ranking 25 countries on their IP environment.
MSF: AstraZeneca Pullout Of Neglected Disease R&D Proof System Broken
Following news reports that pharmaceutical producer AstraZeneca will end its spending on early stage research and development for tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases, Médecins Sans Frontières issued a statement saying the move is further proof that substantive change to the global pharmaceutical R&D system is needed.
New Study Makes Case for Innovative Medicines
A new pharmaceutical industry-backed study draws attention to the value of innovative medicines in reducing healthcare costs and to the wider society that goes beyond clinical and personal values. However, in middle income countries, national prioritisation and improvements in healthcare infrastructure are needed to maximise the value of medicinal innovation, the study found.
Year Ahead: Internet Governance After Snowden: Cacophony Of Conferences
Those interested in internet governance will have to put some money aside for 2014: rarely have there been so many conferences to talk about how to manage core internet resources and develop the common rules to govern more general aspects of global net communication.
At WIPO, Global Experts Share Experiences On Open Collaboration
The recent World Intellectual Property Organization Conference on Open Innovation: Collaborative Projects and the Future of Knowledge showed the potential of open collaborative innovation in confronting some of today’s greatest challenges. This model of innovation is used in industries ranging from health research and solutions to climate change to film production and museum design.
In State Of The Union, Obama Highlights Need For Patent Reform, Trade
In the annual State of the Union speech of the United States president to Congress last night, President Obama described an innovation race, and highlighted the importance of trade agreements and passage of patent reform legislation.
At WIPO, Nations See Different Needs From Patent System
An important international platform that has seen stark differences in the past, the World Intellectual Property Organization Standing Committee on the Law of Patents (SCP) began a weeklong meeting today on improving the patent system with parties promoting their own interests and asking straightforward questions of others.
WHO Sets Path For Model R&D Projects For Developing Countries
Members of the World Health Organization Executive Board this week moved forward on the long path to new ways to spur research and development for diseases that mainly afflict poor populations. A process has been set for considering – and potentially choosing among - eight projects before the annual World Health Assembly in May.
WHO Board Adopts Resolution On Medicines Access After TRIPS Flexibilities Debate
The sometimes tense issue of intellectual property rights flexibilities built into international trade rules on IP briefly threatened to trip up a proposal on access to medicines today at the World Health Organization. But members managed to steer the debate to consensus on a text that will now head to the full membership for approval in May.