Original news and analysis on international IP policy
With talks on the controversial Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement about to resume, members of Congress are putting pressure on the Obama administration to disclose what it's seeking on intellectual property rights. And civil society groups say that even more worrying than the closed-door nature of the TPP negotiations is the United States' increasing use of bilateral meetings to sway other countries.
Nearly US$25,000 - and growing - in donations has been collected to hand over to Wikileaks if it successfully leaks the top-secret text of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement currently under negotiation. The draft text has been blocked from public scrutiny while being shared only with industry.
For those who might be curious, the short answer is yes. For those who might be interested to learn more about the protection of geographical indications (GIs) in Russia, this article provides some insights into the Russian law that might be pertinent in light of Russia’s accession to the World Trade Organization and recent developments in the international GI law.
Gaudenz Silberschmidt, head of international affairs in Switzerland's public health office for the past decade, has been nominated to become senior adviser in the World Health Organization Office of the Director-General. He will have a special focus on the reform process taking place at the cash-strapped UN agency.
The director of the World Health Organization, the global public health body, today vigorously applauded the ruling by Australia's high court upholding the Australian government's upcoming ban on trademarked labels on tobacco packages. The case pits international trade interests against public health interests, and the WHO said it hopes today's ruling will have a "domino effect" for many other countries considering such bans.
From Informa:
9th Annual Pharmaceutical Law Academy – 18th – 19th September, London, UK
The essential route to a comprehensive update on the key legal challenges affecting the pharmaceutical industry
Why attend Pharmaceutical Law Academy 2012?
1. For those new to the industry to gain an excellent grounding in the legal and commercial challenges faced in the pharmaceutical sector in a relaxed and informal atmosphere.
2. For those who are familiar with the sector, the course serves as a practical update and guidance on the hot legal issues and topics in pharmaceutical law.
Find more information here. Quote your VIP Code: FKW82293IPWE to receive a 10% discount
Intellectual Property Law in the Middle East – 24th – 25th September, Dubai, UAE
Hear insights from The Ministry of Economy, Starwood Hotels, Pepsi-Cola, Arabian Anti-Piracy Alliance, Al Tamimi & Co and many more!
PLUS! Pre-conference workshop: What IP is worth having in the Middle East?
Sunday 23rd September 2012, Dubai
Are you up to date with the latest IP developments? Are you able to maintain your competitive advantage and manage your IP assets successfully in the Middle East?
In the first event of its kind, Intellectual Property Law in the Middle East Conference is the most crucial forum, enabling you to meet your needs to stay abreast with fundamental trade mark, copyright and patent developments in the Middle East.
Find more information here.
Quote your VIP Code: FKW82296IPWE to receive a 10% discount
Protecting the Media - 20th September 2012, Millennium Hotel London Knightsbridge
IBC Legal Conferences is proud to announce its 18th annual Protecting the Media event highlighting key legal developments and updates for broadcast, print and new media.
1. Gain cutting-edge updates on the most crucial developments in media law
2. Debate current contentious topics and complex regulations
3. Review the significance of recent cases and their practical implications on your everyday work
4. Discuss best practice and practical challenges to drive investigative journalism
5. Network with peers and leading experts
6. Benefit from hot-off-the press updates on privacy, defamation, data protection and more
7. Embrace practical tools to prepare for problem areas
Find more information here.
Quote your VIP Code: FKW82292IPWE to receive a 10% discount
IP & Competition Law - 25 September 2012, Sheraton Brussels Hotel, Belgium
IBC Legal is proud to announce its in-depth IP & Competition Law forum. Key representatives from the European Commission, national competition authorities, private practice and in-house will debate the key legal practical challenges to help you master the challenging interface between competition law and IP law.
By keeping abreast of the developments in this complex and fast-moving area of law, you will be able to meet the expectations of competition authorities, exceed the needs of your clients and master the practical challenges in your everyday work.
Find more information here.
Quote your VIP Code: FKW82275IPWE to receive a 10% discount
Online Brand Protection Forum – 24 – 25 October 2012, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel – Tower of London, UK
This conference will gather together expert brand representatives from leading organisations with the intention of highlighting, examining and discussing the latest challenges to asserting, maintaining & defending brand presence online
How do you police the ever expanding virtual market?
What can you do to prevent losing control of your brand?
How can you stay on top of perennial maladies such as counterfeiting and trademark infringement?
What can be done to counter rogue and deceptive websites?
Which policies should be put in place to guard against domain name squatting, phishing, digital piracy and traffic diversion?
Find more information here.
Quote your VIP Code: FKW82327IPWE to receive a 10% discount
Distance Learning Courses:
Computer and Communications Law – from Queen Mary, University of London
Apply for this distinctive programme of online, distance-learning courses leading to the award of the Queen Mary, University of London LLM, or Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate in Computer and Communications Law. Gain expertise in the legal regimes governing the supply and use of computer and communications technology.
Find more information here.
UK, EU & US Copyright Law from King’s College London
Apply for the 2012-2013 Distance Learning Programme leading to a Postgraduate Diploma/Masters in UK, EU & US Copyright Law. The programme aims to provide the professional with an in-depth and up-to-date knowledge of the general principles of copyright law, mainly focusing on the law in the United Kingdom, the principles of United States copyright law and the major ‘copyright’ Directives of the European Community.
Find more information here.
Mapping out intellectual property issues related to the Olympic Games may itself constitute an engaging exercise: trademark and design protection of the Olympic indicia; data protection of Games results; personality and publicity rights associated with sports celebrities; character rights subsisting in the Olympic mascots; unfair competition law and other legislative means to address ambush marketing and secure the interests of the Games’ exclusive sponsors. The latter appears essential for the purpose of securing the means for staging the Games and sustaining the Olympic Movement.
Intellectual property promotion is at the heart of a new campaign launched yesterday by the United States Chamber of Commerce with the aim of convincing decision-makers and the public at large of the value of IP in economic and social terms, and dissipate some misconceptions.
The international pharmaceutical industry this week released a policy statement targeting counterfeit medicines on the internet. Among the recommendations was for the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) to join the fight.
The World Trade Organization will hold its next ministerial level meeting in Bali, Indonesia, in the first week of December 2013, it announced today.
Tech Freedom, the Competitive Enterprise Institute, Free State Foundation, and the Cato Institute filed an amicus brief yesterday with the Washington, DC Court of Appeals claiming that the US Federal Communication Commission’s 2011 “Preserving the Open Internet” order is unconstitutional.
The United States House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee today cancelled its briefing on computer equipment shipments to Iran and North Korea authorised by the World Intellectual Property Organization. The committee took the action after WIPO Director General Francis Gurry blocked two senior staff from participating in the meeting.