New EU-Industry Agreement Against Counterfeits
The European Commission recently signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at boosting cooperation between rights holders and internet platforms in the fight against counterfeit products sold online.
Intellectual Property Watch
Original news and analysis on international IP policy
Category Trademarks/Geographical Indications/Domains
Thorny Issues Remain In EU-India Trade Talks
According to European Trade Commissioner Karel de Gucht, there are still thorny issues on the table in the ongoing EU-India free trade agreement talks, including intellectual property issues.
ACTA Still Open To Interpretation, Legal Experts Say; Transparency Fight Ongoing
The Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) is open for interpretation, perhaps too much so, legal experts on both sites of the Atlantic are warning.
WIPO Committee On Development Agenda Suspended, Discussions Bogged Down
The World Intellectual Property Organization committee in charge of overseeing the implementation of the organisation’s cornerstone Development Agenda, ended abruptly when the session was suspended after a strong disagreement over a development project.
US Gets Threatening Over ICANN’s New Internet Domain Plan
US Assistant Secretary for Commerce Larry Strickling said yesterday the Obama administration expects all issues to be resolved before the internet is opened to a large number of new top-level domains. And he hinted that the US might reconsider the special role of the internet coordination body if it does not comply.
Trading’s End: Is ACTA The Leading Edge Of A Protectionist Wave?
Government policymakers are stalling on trade liberalization while erecting new nontransparent trade barriers, writes Frederick Abbott.
TRIPS Amendments Needed To Restore Balance In IP, Researchers Say
Current global intellectual property obligations are seen by some as favouring rights holders to the detriment of the public interest, and a series of amendments to international rules on trade and IP could address this, says a new book from a respected European think tank.
Consumers’ Rights Still Not On Equal Footing With Copyright Owners’, Study Finds
The newly published third annual Consumers International IP Watchlist shows that most countries offer weak support for consumer interests in access to knowledge and the global copyright system seems ill-equipped to respond to the new consumer creativity evolving on internet. However, the study found that some countries are demonstrating good practices when it comes to consumers.
WIPO Internal Audit Division Seeks Consultants To Assess IP In Kenya
The World Intellectual Property Organization Internal Audit and Oversight Division is seeking expressions of interest from consultants to conduct an evaluation and analysis of Kenya’s performance with intellectual property rights during the years 2005 to 2010. The study aims to help WIPO members to assess the effect of the UN agency’s work in the country during that time, and to boost learning and accountability.
Discount For IP-Watch Readers At LES Life Sciences Meeting, 4-6 May
Intellectual Property Watch readers have been offered a $200 savings on attendance at next week's spring meeting of the Licensing Executives Society in New York, focused on life sciences. This year's LES Spring Meeting will feature key topics facing IP, licensing and business development professionals in the life sciences industry including: Structuring Term Sheets, Option Agreements, Co-Development and Co-Promotion Deals, Profit Sharing vs. Revenue Sharing, Commercialization, Clean-Tech, Deal Negotiations, Bio-Fuels, Patent Litigation, Biosimilars, Cloud Computing, Antitrust Dos and Don'ts in Licensing and more. US Patent and Trademark Office Director David Kappos will keynote on improving the quality of healthcare, pharmaceutical and life science patents.
The meeting will take place from 4-6 May, at the Westin New York at Times Square. Read the full story for the program and promotional code.
WIPO Delegates Meet On IP And Development Implementation
Intellectual property has often been considered by developing countries as a hindrance to development rather than a driving force. Next week, delegates to the World Intellectual Property Organization will discuss the implementation of the organisation’s commitment to take development considerations more substantially into its work. In particular, delegates are expected to try to agree on the coordination mechanism of the committee responsible for the effort.
WIPO Begins New Era With A Light, Transparent Office Building
More than two years after construction was begun and 13 years since its approval, a large new World Intellectual Property Organization office building quietly opened doors in March and the exodus from across the street and several other locations in Geneva began for some 500 employees of the United Nations organisation.