Category IP Policies

Patent Reform, Copyright Enforcement Are Key European IP Issues for 2007

By Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch
Last year saw the apparent demise of two hotly contested European Union intellectual property policy proposals, the European Patent Litigation Agreement (EPLA) and consideration of a pan-European copyright levy on blank audiovisual media. This year could prove a bit quieter, although a European Commission plan to criminalise some IP infringements may prove no less controversial.

Dugie Standeford
January 16, 2007
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International Health IP Policy Issues To Be Watched In 2007

By Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen
The year 2006 was a busy one in terms of health policy developments related to intellectual property rights, and a quick look at the events ahead in 2007 shows that the coming year should be no less interesting.

Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen
January 9, 2007

Signal-Based Or Nothing, Some Say At US Broadcasting Treaty Roundtable

By John T. Aquino for Intellectual Property Watch WASHINGTON, DC – At the 3 January roundtable discussion concerning the work at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) on a broadcasters’ rights treaty, many of the more than 50 participants were…

John T. Aquino
January 4, 2007

WHO Head Chan Cites Optimism, Issues Warning, Omits IP In Opening Remarks

By William New In her opening remarks to staff on her first day in office, new World Health Organization Director-General Margaret Chan said she would not rock the organisation boat, would focus policy on women and Africa, issued a warning…

William New
January 4, 2007

Swiss Initiative Seeks To Dispel “Black-And-White” View Of Patents

By Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen Switzerland has begun a new kind of collaboration at the national level with the aim of moving beyond the old “patents are good/patents are bad” debate, particularly when it comes to intellectual property and public…

Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen
December 19, 2006

WIPO Committee To Increase Focus On Genetic Resources

By William New In a recent meeting, a World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) committee agreed to increase its activity related to intellectual property rights and genetic resources. This could have significance for negotiations on the issue currently at the World…

William New
December 16, 2006

US Congress Passes Legislation On “Semi-Generic” Wines

By William New Just in time for the New Year, the United States Congress has passed a bill that will continue to allow the production of knock-off champagnes from outside of France. The European Union is currently examining a bill…

William New
December 15, 2006

Patent Reform On US Senate Agenda; US Officials Question French Copyright Law

By William New As the year end draws near, United States government officials are marking the ground for international intellectual property debates to come in 2007. On 13 December, Senator Patrick Leahy, incoming chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee released…

William New
December 14, 2006
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WTO Meeting Reopens Discussions On Geographical Indications Register

By William New Informal consultations on 11 December on World Trade Organization negotiations to create a multilateral register for geographical indications produced little progress but showed a willingness by all sides to continue talking on the issue, participants said. The…

William New
December 12, 2006

WHO Group Lays Foundation For Global Neglected Diseases R&D Plan

By Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen During a 4-8 December meeting of some 100 World Health Organization (WHO) member states and other stakeholders, the foundation was laid for discussions of a global plan for providing medicines for diseases predominantly affecting poor…

Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen
December 11, 2006

Key Report Urges UK Government To Boost IP Enforcement and Fair Use Rights

By Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch An independent study of Britain’s intellectual property framework has found it essentially sound but in need of changes at the national and international levels. Many of its 54 recommendations appear uncontroversial, but several…

Dugie Standeford
December 8, 2006
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WHO Members Take Small Steps With New Medicine R&D Plan In Novel Exercise

By Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen Participants in this week’s ground-breaking meeting of a World Health Organization group working to stimulate research on neglected diseases hailed the cooperative spirit of the group after three days. But early in the 7 December…

Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen
December 7, 2006