WTO Review Provides Update On China’s IP Rise
A World Trade Organization review of China’s trade policy includes assessments of the country’s progress on adopting - and becoming a leader of - the global intellectual property rights system.
Intellectual Property Watch
Original news and analysis on international IP policy
William New
UNCTAD Report Sees Sustainable African Growth In IP Flexibilities
The United Nations agency on trade and development this week published its Economic Development in Africa 2012 report, which argued, among other things, that the region’s sustainable future depends on using flexibilities in intellectual property rights as appropriate.
Global Broadband Commission Urges G20 To Act For Development
The Broadband Commission for Digital Development, a mixed public-private sector leaders group aimed at boosting high-speed internet availability in the developing world, today issued an open letter to the leaders of the Group of 20 urging action which the commission says will lead to greater socio-economic growth.
On Eve Of Protests: Watch ACTA Debate With Key Parliament Members
On the eve of the 9 June Europe-wide protests against the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA), journalist Jennifer Baker of IDG met with Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) Christian Engström (Pirate Party) & Niccolo Rinaldi (ALDE) to discuss the current state of affairs with regard to the ACTA. Watch the video.
Upcoming Event: 5th Product And Pipeline Enhancement For Generics
A conference entitled the "5th Product and Pipeline Enhancement for Generics" to be held in Washington, DC on 17-19 July will feature industry leaders in the generic, branded pharmaceutical and API industries. Issues covered will include current and upcoming changes in regulations and the market, innovation in drug pipeline, portfolio management and business development, intellectual property protection and biosimilars.
IP5 Patent Offices Strengthen Joint Work
The heads of the world's five largest intellectual property offices, who refer to themselves as the IP5, met today to discuss further efforts to improve quality and efficiency in patent examination, and harmonise patent systems. Joining them were industry representatives from each of the regions.
European Nuclear Lab CERN Launches New “Easy IP” Plan
Does the idea of a multifunctional, versatile position-sensitive detector for measuring characteristics of a beam of particles spark ideas for useful products of benefit to society and the economy? If so, then CERN has just the thing for you. In an attempt to boost the utility of its research, the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), the Geneva-based intergovernmental laboratory, today announced a plan to offer its patented technologies for licence royalty-free in order to promote innovation.
Asian Governments Plan To Better Use TRIPS Flexibilities For Health
International trade rules related to intellectual property rights enshrine the notion that there may be cases where exceptions to IP rights are needed by governments, such as sovereign decisions on a nation’s public health. Using those flexibilities could save millions of lives but may mean taking a tough stance in free trade negotiations with bigger trading partners, concluded a meeting of Asian stakeholders this week.
ICANN To Reveal New Internet Domain Applications In Mid-June
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), the domain name system technical oversight body, will shortly make public the list of applied for new domains.
MSF Medicines Access Campaign Director Departs; New Director Named
Médicins Sans Frontières (MSF, Doctors without Borders) announced today that it has named a new executive director of its Access to Medicines Campaign, a high-impact advocacy initiative on international public health issues in Geneva and elsewhere. Today was the last day for current Executive Director Tido von Schoen-Angerer, who completed two three-year terms in the role.
World Health Assembly: Agreement Reached On Neglected Disease R&D Process, But No Convention
A proposal at this week’s World Health Assembly to negotiate a binding convention on research and development for neglected diseases - those predominantly afflicting poor populations - ran into resistance from developed countries which hold the view that another approach might be possible. But an agreement was reached on a way forward for the expert report that recommended the binding convention.
World Health Assembly: Latest Texts Of R&D Drafting Group
The latest available documents of the closed-door meeting addressing recommendations on ways to finance neglected diseases largely afflicting developing countries show progress heading into this afternoon's session. They reflect efforts to agree on how to take the process forward, including agreement reached last night on putting the issue to regional groups later this year.