Catherine Saez

Articles: 1423
Comments: 1

15 Years Later, Prospects For WTO Information Technology Agreement Examined

The World Trade Organization this week celebrated 15 years of a tariff-cutting agreement on information technology products, and issued a publication charting the history of the agreement. Industry representatives invited to a symposium joined voices asking that the agreement be expanded, while some called for strategies to incorporate development into technology trade promotion. And a link was made between the agreement and a rise in patents on technology.

Catherine Saez
May 15, 2012

Agreement On Future Work For Development Committee Snatched From Defeat At WIPO

In what could be compared to an obstacle course, World Intellectual Property Organization members agreed late at night yesterday on the future work of a committee working on the development dimension of the organisation's activities.

As WIPO Director Reports On Development Agenda, Developing Countries Demand Full Implementation

A World Intellectual Property Organization committee meeting this week to assess the development dimension of WIPO activities heard the progress report of the director general. Developing countries took the opportunity to claim that the mandate of the committee was not completed, in particular because the development dimension was kept out of two important WIPO bodies.

Catherine Saez
May 10, 2012

Lines Of Geographical Indications Debate Begin To Take Shape In The United States

The United States has historically demonstrated little interest for geographical indications but recent developments seem to indicate that actors are taking stands on the issue.

Catherine Saez
May 1, 2012

Study On Non-Agricultural GIs Supported By European Commission

The European Commission Directorate General for Internal Market and Services has awarded a contract to three lobbying groups promoting geographical indications to conduct a study on GIs.

Catherine Saez
May 1, 2012

Frustrations Show At Slow Progress On Protection Of Traditional Knowledge at WIPO

At the close of a WIPO meeting to advance a text to become a potential treaty to protect traditional knowledge, some countries found that the results of the session were somewhat disappointing, although some progress had been achieved.

Catherine Saez
April 21, 2012
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Divergences Clarified On Protection Of Traditional Knowledge At WIPO

From the outset of a World Intellectual Property Organization meeting to advance a potential treaty text on the protection of traditional knowledge, discussions on draft articles of the possible treaty confirmed divergence of views, notably between developed and developing countries.

Catherine Saez
April 18, 2012
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Negotiators Aim For Progress On Traditional Knowledge Protection Treaty

Country delegates will try to make progress on a treaty text to protect traditional knowledge from misappropriation at the World Intellectual Property Organization next week. The hope of many is to bring it far enough for the annual members’ meeting in October to schedule a high-level treaty negotiation next year.

Catherine Saez
April 14, 2012
1 Comment

Former Senior Staff Say OECD Countries Trying To Stifle UNCTAD’s Work

A letter co-signed by 49 former staff members of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development denouncing efforts by some countries to muffle the institution's voice was released yesterday at a press conference.

Catherine Saez
April 12, 2012

Trade And Development With A Dash Of IP: Conference To Set Course For UNCTAD

The quadrennial conference of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) sets the course of the UN body work for the next four years. The mandate of the conference has evolved since its creation to become mainly a provider of research, policy analysis and technical assistance to developing countries. This time around, the conference will serve as a wide-ranging forum for trade and development issues, and intellectual property issues will haunt discussions in several areas.

Catherine Saez
April 11, 2012

EPO Response: No Tricks On Patents On Seeds And Plants

In response to a report published on 3 April by civil society group No Patent on Seeds alleging that industry and patent examiners in the European Patent Office are finding legal loopholes to grant patents on seeds and plants, an EPO spokesperson told Intellectual Property Watch the patent office does not "apply tricks" to grant patents.

Group Says Industry, EPO Finding Loopholes To Patent Seeds, Plants

A new report by civil society group No Patent on Seeds was issued yesterday alleging that industry and patent examiners in the European Patent Office are "using legal loopholes to grant patents on seeds, plants and even harvest and food products derived thereof."

Catherine Saez
April 4, 2012