Original news and analysis on international IP policy
A recent European Union regulation on customs enforcement of intellectual property rights has raised concerns among civil society actors who find that the regulation might not be an improvement over its previous version under which seizure of legal generic medicines in transit occurred a few years ago, leading to a World Trade Organization dispute.
Alongside last week’s meeting of the World Trade Organization intellectual property committee, the United States, European Union and Jamaica organised an event on the relevance of intellectual property in sports. Speakers from professional organisations such as the International Olympic Committee, the Association of European Professional Football Leagues, and the Nike company were invited to share their experience in the matter.
The World Trade Organization intellectual property committee last week agreed on a draft decision on disputes that are not in direct violation of WTO IP rules but where one country’s measures negatively affect another country’s expected benefits. Plain packaging for tobacco products was also discussed as Ireland is preparing to introduce such a measure meant to discourage tobacco use, and some countries presented their views on the importance of IP rights in sports.
The US government shutdown is now in its second week, causing more and more of the country’s intellectual property regime to grind to a halt. The shutdown’s effects also are rippling overseas, hindering US efforts to negotiate two major international trade deals containing significant IP provisions.
IP Law Summit
November 17-19, 2013| Grande Real Villa Itália| Cascais, Lisbon, Portugal
The IP Law Europe Summit is the premium forum bringing together leading in-house IP counsel with specialist international law firms, IP attorneys and legal services providers. As an invitation-only event taking place behind closed doors, the summit offers regional IP executives an intimate environment for a focused discussion of key new drivers shaping the IP industry.
Distinguished speakers include:
Tommi Lehtinen, Head of IPR, Product Differentiation Portfolio, Nokia Siemens Networks
Peter Schøtt Knudsen, VP, Global Head of Legal & IPR, ECCO
Cheree Johnson, Chief Innovation Counsel, HJ Heinz
Jean Luc Chalhoub, GC, New Business & Strategic Partnerships, Orange
Jan Strzebniok, VP & GC, EMEAI, Honeywell Aerospace
Vincent Pickering, CLO & Secretary, WABCO
Mark Lágler, GC, Supply Chain and Global Services, Unilever
Key issues for 2013 include:
Ahead of the Game – Keeping pace with the latest developments in patent legislation in the EU and US
Dynamic Exchange – Leveraging know-how and technology transfer to stimulate cost-efficient innovation
Positive-Sum Game – Informing the M&A strategy to unlock valuable transactions
Secrecy Status – Exploring trade secrets protection to keep expenditure under control and defend IP in fast-moving markets
A Taxing Issue – Orchestrating IP and R&D activities to reap the benefits of favourable tax regimes
Designing Value – Shielding design and packaging elements to boost brand recognition
Diversity Powerhouse – Mastering the art of orchestrating diversity to excel as a team
Social Media Palooza – Riding the digital wave while guarding your brand and reputation
To gain a view of the event brochure, click here: http://www.marcusevans-conferences-northamerican.com/IPLawEU_eaag_IPW
For speaking, sponsoring or attending, please contact Laurel Zevitz at +1 312-540-3000 ext 6683 or email l.zevitz@marcusevansch.com
Two scientists with a connection to Geneva have published an unorthodox e-book entitled, Guide for the perplexed entering the Maze of Genetic Resources Traditional Knowledge and Folklore.
The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) last week held a mandated seminar on the right of everyone to enjoy the benefits of scientific progress and its applications. In some cases, intellectual property rights may not be helping, according to speakers.
Mutual understanding between the international trade community and internet stakeholders would be of great benefit to help adjust the multilateral trade regime to the rapidly changing landscape of the digital economy.
The US Chamber of Commerce's Global Intellectual Property Center organised a panel during the World Trade Organization Public Forum last week to explore what industry sees as challenges of trade in the digital age. Three panellists presented concerns - mainly counterfeiting - and solutions they have put in place to address such challenges.
The UN International Telecommunication Union today released global statistics on information and communications technology, showing great advances in speed, reach and mobile connectivity, but with the reality that billions of humans are still not connected to the internet.
In recent years, the Caribbean has been placed under a considerable amount of pressure to comply with the international regimen on intellectual property rights writes Abiola Inniss.
The innovative capacities of countries cannot be measured with a simplistic matrix, taking only into account the number of patents or the research and development expenditures, said a World Intellectual Property Organization official. Meanwhile, WIPO’s views were buttressed by an expert from the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation.