Category Patents/Designs/Trade Secrets

Gilead Monopoly Prevails Over Non-Discriminatory Access As Debated Hepatitis C Deal Sets Off

Gilead on 15 September struck voluntary licence deals with seven India-based generic manufacturers to expand access to its hepatitis C innovative drugs in developing countries. With a limited territory covered, this, yet deserving, pact raises doubts about the coherence of Indian counterparts at a time when there are no relevant patents in India, several pre-grant oppositions have been filed and unrestrained competition by compulsory licences could have been pursued, writes Daniele Dionisio.

New WIPO Conference Hall Offers Grand Setting As Nations Gather

At the outset of its annual General Assembly this week, the World Intellectual Property Organization inaugurated a state-of-the-art new conference hall which has already drawn attention for its prominent position overlooking the Place des Nations in Geneva.

Catherine Saez
September 24, 2014

Interview With KIPO Commissioner Kim Young-min

South Korea is now considered one of the most influential countries in the IP field. Intellectual Property Watch exchanged a set of questions for Kim Young-min, commissioner of the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) since 2013, speaking about KIPO’s policies for increasing international cooperation, reducing first action pendency, and preventing “bad faith” trademark applicants in Korea from making unfair profits.

WIPO Assemblies: Heavy Agenda With Potential Decisions On Normative Issues

The Assemblies of the World Intellectual Property Organisation member states opened this morning in a new conference hall for a 10-day marathon with many decisions to be taken on the programme of work of the organisation for the year to come, its governance, and the need to address issues left opened by several committees.

Catherine Saez
September 22, 2014

WIPO Staff Council Head Fired On Eve Of Annual Assembly; Chair Asked To Share Reports On Gurry

The World Intellectual Property Organization administration received a strong reaction from UN unions on Friday night when it fired the president of the UN agency’s staff association on the eve of the annual WIPO General Assembly. Meanwhile, the General Assembly chair has been called on to provide to member states the results of two confidential reports evaluating allegations made against the WIPO director general.

William New
September 22, 2014
4 Comments

Numerous Side Events At WIPO General Assembly This Week

A number of side events have been scheduled during the annual General Assemblies of the World Intellectual Property Organization this week. The range of events are organised by WIPO as well as governmental and non-governmental organisations working in areas such as public health, finance, copyright, geographical indications and innovation.

Catherine Saez
September 22, 2014

Is The Development Dimension Of WIPO Incompatible With Its Role Of IP Protection?

The World Intellectual Property Organization is a successful United Nations agency if success is measured by its generated income and the number of international registrations of intellectual property titles. However, in its role as a norm-setting United Nations agency, the organisation has been struggling for the past year as member countries have quite a different view on its core objectives.

Catherine Saez
September 18, 2014
4 Comments

Top Officials Proposed For WIPO; Tied To Director’s Term

After months of consideration and an application process that attracted 360 applicants, the World Intellectual Property Organization secretariat has made public its proposed names for the top posts at the UN agency for the next six years. Only four out…

William New
September 17, 2014
2 Comments

For Experts, Questions Still Abound On IP And Standard-Setting

BRUSSELS – Intellectual property experts at the annual conference of the European Policy for Intellectual Property Association (EPIP) discussed a range of topics including IP rights and standard-setting. The conclusion? Many questions remain unanswered.

Magda Voltolini
September 16, 2014

Experts Look At The Meaning Of Myriad Case, One Year Later

IRVINE, CALIFORNIA – Experts gathered here last week addressed the question of – one year later - what does the United States Supreme Court’s decision on human gene patents mean for scientific research and patent policy?

Brittany Ngo
September 16, 2014

WIPO Committee Advances Decisions On Programme, Budget, Oversight

The powerful World Intellectual Property Organization Program and Budget Committee in its recent meeting worked through a tough agenda of core decisions about the UN organisation’s functioning and future. The committee reached decisions on key issues related to strengthened oversight, the 2014-2015 programme, and financial issues, but couldn’t break through on issues like new WIPO field offices, streamlining committee meetings, accounting for development expenditures, or funding indigenous representatives to participate in WIPO negotiations.

William New, Catherine Saez and William New, Catherine Saez
September 15, 2014
1 Comment

Guest Post: Nine Mandatory Licences Allow Greater Access To Medicines In Ecuador

What is a mandatory licence? Mandatory licenses are a legal remedy within the intellectual property flexibilities provided by the World Trade Organization allowing a government to grant permission to third parties to produce a patented product or use a patented process without the consent of the patentee, in order to address a priority status for the country.