Kenya Opens Region’s Door To GM Maize
In the face of a severe food shortage, Kenya's Cabinet has approved imports of genetically modified maize, though it has drawn the line on use of GM maize as seeds, a regional newspaper reports.
Intellectual Property Watch
Original news and analysis on international IP policy
Category IP Policies
US Chamber Urges Highest IP Standards In Trans-Pacific Trade Pact
The largest United States industry association continues to push for the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement (TPP) to be the model of the highest intellectual property rights standards of any US agreement, matching the US-Korea free trade agreement.
Decisive Week Ahead For Protection Of Traditional Knowledge, Genetic Resources
World Intellectual Property Organization member countries next week will work on draft negotiating texts on the protection of genetic resources, traditional knowledge and folklore. New recommendations by a set of developing countries are calling for a diplomatic conference in 2013, and to extend the work of the committee in charge of reaching an international instrument, as its mandate ends this year.
Interview With Chief Judge Paul R. Michel On US Patent Reform
Chief Judge Paul R. Michel (Ret.), of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, saw hundreds of patent cases during his distinguished career and has a unique position from which to view and offer advice on efforts in the US Senate and House of Representatives to agree on changes to domestic patent law. Intellectual Property Watch recently had the opportunity to interview Judge Michel on prospects for substantive patent reform in the US, the effect on future cases involving domestic and foreign patents, likely constitutional challenges, and the "non-problem" of non-practicing entities.
Neglected Diseases R&D Financing Proposals Shaping Up At WHO
Global public health experts in charge of exploring ways to finance R&D on diseases endemic in developing countries last week provided a preliminary summary of assessments on proposals provided by various stakeholders. They also made recommendations to establish global mechanisms, including a binding global instrument for R&D and innovation for health.
EU Commission Reports On IPR-Infringing Goods Detained By Customs
The European Commission today presented its annual report on customs activities related to intellectual property rights (IPR) infringing goods, finding sharp increases in some areas and leading to calls for new enforcement measures.
WHO Enters Next Phase Of Global Plan To Increase Flu Vaccine Production
The World Health Organization will be entering a new phase of its global action plan for influenza vaccines, a WHO representative told reporters today. The goals of the first phase of the programme should be furthered but with more attention given to the local health and policy environment, WHO said.
WIPO, The ‘Sleeping Beauty’ Of Climate Change Policy, Urged To Awaken
The World Intellectual Property Organization has taken its first public steps in the climate change debate by holding a conference on the subject this week. The organisation’s expertise in intellectual property policy and technology transfer is being sought by several other actors in the field, in particular the United Nations climate change agency.
El Patent Pool estimula las perspectivas de medicamentos anti-VIH con una primera Licencia
El Medicines Patent Pool y la compañía farmacéutica Gilead Sciences ha anunciado hoy un acuerdo de licencia para permitir la producción medicamentos clave para el combate contra el VIH a un menor costo y en una formulación más fácil de usar, haciéndolos más accesibles a los países en desarrollo.. El acuerdo se extiende al uso de tratamientos para la hepatitis B por primera vez.
Does Introduction Of A Utility Model Protection Regime Make Sense In India?
India has at least seven diverse intellectual property (IP) legislations related to protection already in place. Its focus should therefore arguably be directed - along the lines of many other IP jurisdictions - on more stringent enforcement modus operandi of the IP rights. Is there scope for introducing yet another IP legislation – the utility model protection law - in the Indian IP landscape and if so, what should be its scope and implication, asks Swarup Kumar.
Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement: Did US Move Threaten Public Health?
Civil society groups say a leaked document from regional free trade negotiations between countries bordering the Pacific Ocean shows the United States favouring giant pharmaceutical companies at the expense of public health. Separately, the tobacco industry is allegedly also trying to push for a clause to prevent plain packaging.
Medicines Patent Pool Boosts HIV Drug Prospects With First Licence
The Medicines Patent Pool and pharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences today announced a breakthrough licence agreement to allow for the production of key HIV medicines at lower cost and in an easier-to-use formulation, making them more accessible to developing countries. The agreement also opens up the use of treatments for Hepatitis B for the first time.