Original news and analysis on international IP policy
By Kaitlin Mara The World Health Organization has released a long-awaited list of high-level experts tasked with finding innovative funding mechanisms for needed medical research on neglected diseases. The list largely contains governmental and intergovernmental representatives, and first reactions to…
By Kaitlin Mara
Intellectual property protection is key to the innovation and infrastructure surrounding athletic achievement, said speakers at a World Intellectual Property Organization training event for journalists last week. Trademark protection, copyright protection and other forms of IP rights ensure that the organisations that promote sport and its participants can continue their work, they argued.
The Intellectual Property Watch Monthly Reporter features the most important news on international IP policymaking, the latest on who is coming and going in the IP community at the United Nations, World Trade Organization, Geneva missions, regional and national IP…
By Kaitlin Mara Against the background of increasing food prices and related questions of food security and agricultural sustainability, the new secretary general of an international organisation protecting plant varieties outlined his future plans for the UN body. Francis Gurry,…
By Kaitlin Mara The push to amend the World Trade Organization agreement on intellectual property rights has not receded, as made clear this week by proponents of wider protection for geographical indications and using the patent system to safeguard biodiversity…
By Kaitlin Mara Indigenous groups are looking for better representation at the United Nations body negotiating on issues related to the protection of their traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions. At the World Intellectual Property Organization last week, indigenous groups,…
Videocast: Intellectual Property Watch sat down with the World Intellectual Property Organization’s new director general, Francis Gurry, to discuss his plans for the organisation. The appointment of Gurry was widely hailed by supporters as a positive change, and a way…
By Kaitlin Mara Late Friday evening, weary government officials had to admit they had reached a deadlock in negotiations on international protection of traditional knowledge and folklore at the World Intellectual Property Organization. “No agreement,” said the meeting’s chair, Rigoberto…
The chair of the World Intellectual Property Organization Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore has released a draft chairman’s proposal for accelerated work at the next two meetings of the IGC. The text of…
By Kaitlin Mara and William New Member states of the committee on traditional knowledge, genetic resources, and folklore at the World Intellectual Property Organization on Friday must decide whether and how they will carry on the work of the committee…