Category Patents/Designs/Trade Secrets

Rio+20 Conference Opens With IP, Tech Transfer, Underlying Debate

As world leaders along with thousands of government, private sector and nonprofit participants, get ready to meet in Rio de Janeiro this week, 20 years after this Brazilian city hosted the historic first Earth Summit, there are fears that there may be no meaningful consensus on how the world can become more liveable and sustainable at the same time. And technology transfer, research and development, intellectual property rights are part of the debate.

Promotion: Upcoming Courses And Events Provide Insights Into IP

Informa has announced a range of upcoming events and courses on the essential aspects of intellectual property and technology of interest to Intellectual Property Watch readers. Here is the list:

Events:

IP Dispute Resolution - 28 - 29 June 2012, Grange City Hotel, London, UK

European Trademarks 2012 – 3rd July 2012, Grange City Hotel, London, UK

Protecting Corporate Information – 5th July 2012, One Drummond Gate, London, UK

IT Law Summer School 2012 – 30 July - 3 August 2012, Downing College, Cambridge, UK

IP Summer School - 13 - 17 August 2012, Downing College, Cambridge, UK

Distance Learning Courses:

Computer and Communications Law LLM, PgDip - from Queen Mary, University of London

UK, EU & US Copyright Law LLM, PgDip - from King's College London

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.

Discussion On Counterfeits With A Flavour Of Rum At WTO TRIPS Council

Intellectual property enforcement was discussed at yesterday’s session of the World Trade Organization council on IP-related issues in two different contexts, both involving the United States. Cuba complained about the US failure to comply with a 10-year-old ruling on a Cuban rum brand name, and the US added an agenda item on enforcement against counterfeit goods, both of which created some stir.

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.

Compulsory Licences Positive For The South, With Conditions, Study Finds

Compulsory licences can provide an efficient way to decrease prices of drugs in developing countries but the conditions of issuance of a licence influence the benefits countries can derive from them, particularly if the countries have a technology gap, according to an economic model presented this week at the World Intellectual Property Organization.