Original news and analysis on international IP policy
The outgoing chair’s draft report on progress at the World Trade Organization toward establishing a mandated register for geographical indications praises recent work and sees hope for convergence on outstanding issues such as legal effects and participation, according to a copy obtained by Intellectual Property Watch. But it details key differences on the issues that remain.
The World Intellectual Property Organization has been known to be different from the rest of the United Nations family in that it earns most of its own revenues, and typically operates with a budget surplus. But recognising that it could better meet the needs of its members with additional funds, it now is turning to the international donor community.
The 15-18 November Internet Governance Forum finished work yesterday, and the official press release and wrap-up notes have been circulated by the United Nations, which organises the annual talk shop. There is no single body governing the making of internet…
The World Trade Organization General Council, the WTO’s highest-level decision-making body in Geneva, on Tuesday received the annual report for the WTO committee on intellectual property rights. In it were descriptions of the past year’s IP debates and recommendations for extensions of deadlines.
An official report has been circulated from the first day of the 15-18 November United Nations-led Internet Governance Forum (IGF) meeting in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. Among the developments was the announcement by Tim Berners-Lee of a World Wide Web…
ALEXANDRIA - Dining on fresh fish beneath a golden sunset overlooking the Mediterranean beneath which lie the remains of the ancient Library of Alexandria, the conversation turns to the invention of written language. A light-hearted debate breaks out between an Egyptian and a Syrian over the origins of the first alphabet several thousand years ago, but is left for the time being when the Syrian asserts, “We invented the alphabet, you invented writing.”
Selon des sources ayant participé à la réunion du Comité consultatif sur l'application des droits de l’Organisation mondiale de la propriété intellectuelle (OMPI), qui s’est tenue du 2 au 4 novembre, l’implication proactive des pays en développement vis-à-vis du programme de travail sur l’application des droits de propriété intellectuelle s’est accentuée.
Los países en desarrollo han aumentado su participación proactiva en el programa de observancia de la Organización Mundial de la Propiedad Intelectual (OMPI), según los participantes de la reunión del Comité Asesor sobre Observancia, que se celebró del 2 al 4 de noviembre.
Conservative US radio talk show host Glenn Beck, known for bad-mouthing others on radio and opposition television station Fox News, has lost a case at the World Intellectual Property Organization trying to force the takedown of website parodying him, www.GlennBeckRapedAndMurderedAYoungGirlIn1990.com.
Censorship of content over the internet by national governments, ostensibly on moral or security grounds, could be subject to challenge at the World Trade Organization for hindering trade in services, according to a working paper [pdf] published by Brussels think-tank…
During the most recent negotiations on the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) in Seoul, Korea on 4-6 November, about which no information is available, US industry and public interest groups issued statements taking widely divergent positions on progress of the talks.
World Trade Organization members reached agreement today to recommend extension of a moratorium on customs duties on electronic commerce, and a moratorium on challenging other WTO members under intellectual property rules for actions not in violation of the WTO, according to a WTO official.