New SMS Tool To Report Non-Tariff Trade Barriers At African Borders
Small traders and businesses facing barriers to moving goods across African borders now can send a mobile phone text message alert that could help resolve the problems more quickly.
Intellectual Property Watch
Original news and analysis on international IP policy
William New
Reports: Obama’s Proposed 2014 Budget Favours Patent Office, R&D, Generic Drugs
US President Barack Obama yesterday released his proposed budget for fiscal year 2014, and according to reports it would give the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) control over its revenues, and would be mixed for the biopharmaceutical industry while taking several steps to boost generic medicines.
Questions Follow Sharp Rise In Investor-State Disputes, Far-Reaching Cases
At an unprecedented rate, private companies are using "investor-state" provisions in trade agreements negotiated by governments to challenge foreign government regulations, often made on behalf of the public, a United Nations report has found. And the majority of target governments are developing or transition economies, most of the time being challenged by companies in developed countries.
South Korea Military Fights High Price Of Patented R&D
Korea Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) Commissioner Young-min Kim has joined military leaders and patent attorneys in signing a “Working agreement for the building of a military intellectual property (IP) ecosystem." A key aim is to avoid high-cost private-sector patent monopolies on military R&D.
New Draft Traditional Knowledge Bill Published In South Africa
An alternative South African bill on the protection of traditional knowledge has been published in the official Government Gazette, and it would create a new system of intellectual property right specific to TK, according to South Africa experts.
Study: Misuse Of Patent System Affecting Health System In Australia
Research from the University of Melbourne has found that patents may be keeping pharmaceuticals expensive in Australia, but said that most of the patents are being taken out by companies that are not the originators of the drugs.
WIPO Reports Another Record In Cybersquatting Disputes In 2012
It was another record year in 2012 for cybersquatting cases filed at the World Intellectual Property Organization Arbitration and Mediation Centre. In addition, WIPO announced results of a survey that show that its mediation services could benefit parties in technology-related disputes.
US Justice Dept. Praises IPXI Patent Exchange, But Not Yet Resolved
The United States Department of Justice today said it has not yet settled concerns about the possible negative effect on competition of a proposed patent exchange.
United States Chided As TRIPS Scofflaw At WTO
A clause unfairly protecting a rum company’s US market by denying trademark rights quietly stuck into a US Congress appropriations bill in the deep of night in the late 1990s continues to haunt the halls of the World Trade Organization – but that does not seem to trouble US trade authorities. And this is not the only intellectual property-related case being met with US indifference, an irony for possibly the biggest proponent of IP rights in the world.
Innovation, IPR Cooperation Among Top Priorities For BRICS
The trade ministers of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) today concluded a framework for cooperation that includes innovation and intellectual property rights, but separately.
Conference Addresses Current Issues For Corporate IP Counsel
New York - A conference here this week aimed at corporate counsel for intellectual property addressed a range of issues of interest to that audience.
US Objective For EU-US FTA: Elevate IPR Enforcement
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) yesterday notified the US Congress of its intent to negotiate a free trade agreement with the European Union. And in case there was any doubt, among the negotiating objectives will be to raise the level of intellectual property rights protection and enforcement.