Largest-Ever Open Access Publishing Initiative To Start At CERN In January
The European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) announced today that the largest scientific open access initiative ever will begin on 1 January 2014.
Intellectual Property Watch
Original news and analysis on international IP policy
William New
Pillay And Berners-Lee: Human Rights Must Always Be At Heart Of World Wide Web
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay today said at the outset of a meeting with World Wide Web inventor Tim Berners-Lee that human rights must always be at the heart of discussions about the Web, as it affects so many aspects of society.
European Commission Launches Consultation On EU Copyright Modernisation
The European Commission today announced the launch of a public consultation on modernisation of European Union copyright rules.
IP-Watch Works To Open TPP Text; USTR Misses Response Deadline
Intellectual Property Watch has been working to make more information public about US government involvement in the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement under negotiation with 11 other countries.
Yemen Accedes To WTO; Outcry Over Tough TRIPS Deadline
At the World Trade Organization Ministerial in Bali, Indonesia today, Yemen was accepted as a new least-developed country member. Its terms for joining included adoption of full intellectual property trade rules by 2016, which more than 160 civil society groups worldwide said is in contravention of last summer's agreement to extend the period for LDCs to adopt such rules to 2021 or later.
Down To The Wire, WIPO’s Gurry Continues To Catch Flak In US
World Intellectual Property Organization Director General Francis Gurry continues to receive criticism from some quarters in the United States technology and intellectual property sector who say he should not be re-elected for a second six-year term next year.
Critical Moment For Africa’s Small Farmers As ARIPO Decides On Plant Variety Protection
The Africa Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) this week was expected to consider a proposal to move toward a biotechnology-friendly future, but small farmers say the current proposal will damage their ability to exist in the those countries.
WIPO Launches Green Tech Licensing Database, Network
The World Intellectual Property Organization today launched WIPO Green, a database and network aimed at boosting licensing of environmental technologies.
USTR Says Its TPP Proposal On IP And Public Health Shows Flexibility
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) yesterday issued a statement on the status of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement talks on intellectual property rights and public health, suggesting that it has put forward new ideas on the issue. The statement is worded to reflect that USTR has heard the concerns of other governments and of public health advocates, but it's unclear if those groups will accept it.
BRICS Launch Their Own Plan For IP Cooperation; India Defends Itself
Developing countries have been under pressure for years to join the global intellectual property system established by developed countries, and they have been doing so gradually. But now the leading emerging economies have taken matters into their own hands and signed an IP cooperation roadmap among themselves that will boost their uptake of IP in a way that is most favourable to them.
Medical R&D Projects Proposed By WHO Regions Show Diversity
The regions of the World Health Organization earlier this month submitted their proposals for projects to boost research and development of health technologies for diseases disproportionately affecting developing countries and lacking a market incentive. A shortlist of projects will be selected by a group of WHO-chosen experts at a 3-5 December meeting in Geneva.
International Organisations, Industry, Launch Campaign Against Fake Medicines
Ten global health organisations today launched "Fight the Fakes," a global campaign against "fake" medicines, aimed at raising awareness about medicines - brand or generic - that are not what they claim to be. Meanwhile, a Swiss pharmaceutical company official was named head of investigations at a top international public health organisation.