Category Patents/Designs/Trade Secrets

US Senate Moves Toward Vote On Reform To Patent Regime

By Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch Legislation for sweeping patent reform in the United States could see Senate floor action as soon as early April. Majority Leader Harry Reid, Democrat-Nevada, said the congressional body could consider S 1145 next…

Conseil des ADPIC : la moitié des membres de l’OMC est en faveur de l’amendement sur la biodiversité

Kaitlin Mara et William New La commission de l’Organisation mondiale du commerce (OMC) sur les droits de propriété intellectuelle a conclu sa rencontre triennale avec un jour d’avance, au terme d’une réunion que plusieurs participants ont qualifiée de « routinière…

Consejo de los ADPIC: la mitad de los miembros de la OMC apoya la enmienda sobre la biodiversidad

Por Kaitlin Mara y William New El Comité sobre Derechos de Propiedad Intelectual de la Organización Mundial del Comercio (OMC) finalizó un día antes su reunión trienal que fue considerada “de rutina” por varios participantes. La reunión se caracterizó por…

Brazil Wrestles With Decision On GM Corn, Seed Patenting

By Claudia Jurberg for Intellectual Property Watch RIO DE JANEIRO – After 10 years of debate, Brazil approved in February the commercialisation of two varieties of genetically modified corn, a highly contentious decision in the country that has become linked…

Tussle Over Participation In India Compulsory Licence Hearing

By Tatum Anderson for Intellectual Property Watch Swiss pharmaceutical company Roche is expected to appear before the Indian Patent Office on 17 March to assert its right to attend a later meeting that could result in one of its drugs…

TRIPS Council: Half Of WTO Membership Backs Biodiversity Amendment

By Kaitlin Mara and William New The World Trade Organization committee on intellectual property rights concluded its triennial gathering one day early in a meeting several participants characterised as “routine.” The meeting was marked by further support for an amendment…

Complaint Lodged Over EU Parliament’s Exclusive Use Of Microsoft Systems

By David Cronin for Intellectual Property Watch BRUSSELS – A formal complaint has been lodged with the European Parliament over how its information technology systems rely almost exclusively on software manufactured by Microsoft. Advocates of open standard software, which is…

Indigenous Groups Express Concerns On IP Protection Of Their Knowledge

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…

Positive Outcome For WIPO Committee On TK, Folklore, Genetic Resources

By William New The World Intellectual Property Organization committee on traditional knowledge and other issues concluded a weeklong meeting with a compromise way forward that a range of government officials said was a positive outcome that maintains committee progress. “The…

Free, Open Software Supporters Advocate Against Microsoft Document Standard

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…