Original news and analysis on international IP policy
A newly published study from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) outlines significant problems in accessing medicines in South Africa – which is said to have the highest number of people living with HIV in the world – and urges its government to use available tools under international trade law such as exceptions to patents on needed medicines.
The United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued its draft strategic plan for 2014-2018 and is asking for comments.
A new study of 12 leading international standard-setting organisations (SSOs) found a high degree of inconsistency and lack of clarity when it comes to intellectual property rights and licensing. The study also includes analyses on how standards policies are evolving in Brazil, China and India.
Infojustice.org reports: Last week, the report Brazilian Patent Reform: Innovation Towards Competitiveness was launched at an event at the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies.
A hearing to consider a United States government "green paper" as part of the ongoing reform of the US copyright system has been moved to 12 December due to the government shutdown.
The United States has signed the World Intellectual Property Organization Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons Who Are Blind, Visually Impaired or Otherwise Print Disabled.
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) yesterday approved the US International Trade Commission’s ban on imports of certain electronics from Samsung, based in part on the fact that the patents in the case do not involve standard essential patents (SEPs). By contrast, concern over SEPs was a big reason for the recent White House decision to overturn a USITC finding that Apple had violated Samsung’s patents.
The United States Patent and Trademark Office has helped to outline the process for public comments and participation in the ongoing reform to the US copyright system. The focal point for discussion is a "green" paper issued in July, on which a hearing is scheduled this month.
The UN International Telecommunication Union today released global statistics on information and communications technology, showing great advances in speed, reach and mobile connectivity, but with the reality that billions of humans are still not connected to the internet.
At the end of an intensive 10-day meeting, World Intellectual Property Organization member states were unable to agree on the UN agency's program and budget for the 2014-2015 biennium, leading to suspension of the meeting at about midnight on the last night. An extraordinary meeting was called for December to finish the work before the end of the current biennium on 31 December.
A closed-door working group under the World Health Organization will meet next week to continue working out details of a plan for companies to pay for the right to use influenza virus strains to potentially develop patented treatments.
The membership of the UN World Intellectual Property Organization in its celebrated annual General Assembly have spent most of the last few days in informal small groups behind closed doors, trying to reach agreements on issues that seem simple but for them, go to the heart of the organisation’s functioning.