Original news and analysis on international IP policy
By Kaitlin Mara Representatives of global indigenous groups were in Geneva last week to exchange views on the role of intellectual property in the protection of indigenous and traditional knowledge and folklore. Indigenous groups participated an informal meeting held on…
By Kaitlin Mara Free software and open standards proponents met this week in Geneva to discuss the importance of standards-setting and to debate the role of patent protections and advocate freedom of information sharing in the digital economy. Organised by…
By William New The World Intellectual Property Organization may see significant revenues from its record high patent filings and it may be nearing agreement on a new budget designating how to spend it. WIPO’s Audit Committee is meeting this week,…
By Tatum Anderson for Intellectual Property Watch The Indian government will consider whether it should grant permission for patented drugs to be manufactured and exported without the consent of the patent owners at a hearing scheduled for the last week…
By Kaitlin Mara and William New Officials from key international organisations on Friday outlined efforts to develop policies intended to prevent the spread of pirated and counterfeit goods. The officials were joined by representatives of law firms and international companies…
Geoff Tansey, a leading intellectual property and agriculture researcher and co-founder of the academic journal Food Policy, co-edited a new book examining a rarely-explored side of intellectual property legislation: its effects on access to food. The book, The Future Control…
By Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch The United States is gaining ground in its fight against intellectual property piracy and counterfeiting, a potent interagency commission told President George Bush and the US Congress this week. Yet for every gain…
By Carolyn Deere This week presents a critical opportunity for the 184 member states of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Wednesday, 13 February is the deadline for WIPO’s membership to submit nominations for the post of WIPO Director General.…
By Liza Porteus Viana for Intellectual Property Watch The United States Patent and Trademark Office got a slight financial boost in President Bush’s proposed $3 trillion fiscal 2009 budget released Monday, while agencies such as the State Department and International…
By Liza Porteus Viana for Intellectual Property Watch The Patent Reform Act of 2007, proposed legislation to modify United States patent law, is a step in the right direction, but in its current form threatens to undermine innovation, the Bush…