Original news and analysis on international IP policy
By Rishab Aiyer Ghosh and Karsten Gerloff, UNU-MERIT The Development Agenda put forward by many World Intellectual Property Organization member states seeks in part to fulfil WIPO’s mission to “promote the use and protection of works of the human spirit.”…
By William New A record number of applications for international patents were filed in 2006, and Asian economies are leading the rapid growth, officials from the World Intellectual Property Organization said on 7 February. “There is still growth in the…
By William New The proposed fiscal year 2008 budget for the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) would maintain agency efforts to increase international protection and enforcement of US patents and trademarks, according to a copy of the budget…
With technology causing groundbreaking changes in global music industry business models, intellectual property rules governing music are in question. At the annual Midem gathering in Cannes in late January, Intellectual Property Watch’s William New sat down with Jacqueline Charlesworth, senior…
By William New Multinational companies have long complained about cheap, dangerous knock-offs of their products undermining their profits and reputation, but in a two-day annual high-level gathering along with key intergovernmental organisations this week, they have taken the anti-piracy and…
By William New Companies from the wealthiest nations continue to view a clampdown on theft of their intellectual property rights as key to improving their economic performance, and are targeting the largest developing countries in their effort. To their aid…
By William New With one meeting left before a decision at the World Intellectual Property Organization to proceed with formal negotiations on a treaty boosting the rights of broadcasters and cablecasters, the prospects are unclear, according to officials. The WIPO…
By William New World Intellectual Property Organization officials negotiating this week on how to improve broadcasters’ and cablecasters’ ability to protect their signals have attempted to move into a deeper debate using an informal chair’s text of a draft treaty.…
By William New Just months before full-fledged negotiations are expected to begin on a treaty to boost broadcasters’ and cablecasters’ rights, World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) negotiators meeting this week to iron out differences struggled to find their footing for…
[Please note: This interview has been republished to clarify the transcription.] Howard Alan Zucker, assistant director general of health technology and pharmaceuticals at the World Health Organization, is among other things in charge of the Intergovernmental Working Group on Public…
By William New
As the Bush administration enters its final cycle, personnel changes are being seen at a variety of levels, including key health, copyright and telecommunications officials involved in intellectual property-related issues.
By William New In her opening remarks to staff on her first day in office, new World Health Organization Director-General Margaret Chan said she would not rock the organisation boat, would focus policy on women and Africa, issued a warning…