Category Trademarks/Geographical Indications/Domains

ITU In “Urgent” Meeting On Global Spectrum As New Devices Gobble It Up

A high-level, highly technical UN meeting that occurs about once every four years at which key decisions are made about wireless communications opened today in Geneva. The meeting comes as devices such as smart phones and tablets are devouring many times more spectrum than mobile phones of the past.

Subscriber Alert: WHO Board Considers Key Reform Paper

The World Health Organization Executive Board today is being asked to approve a draft chair's summary of this week's Board discussions on the path to sweeping reform of the UN agency. But the document is unusual, according to some observers, in that it addresses major changes without being considered a negotiation or decision. [Update: this draft was approved by the Board with only the change of deadline for comments to 17 February.]

SOPA, Piracy, Pharmaceuticals May Dominate US IP Policy Discussions In 2012

Online piracy, patent reform and intellectual property issues relating to pharmaceuticals are among the top legislative and regulatory priorities for many stakeholder groups in the United States this year, but given that 2012 is an election year, chances are slim that Congress will push through anything that isn’t a top priority or that could cause too much partisan rancour.

US Senate Postpones PIPA Vote; EU Commissioner Joined Opposition

The new age of lobbying through online public engagement showed its effectiveness today as the Senate announced the postponement of next week's vote on controversial anti-piracy legislation that led to unprecedented protests on the internet.

FAQ: What SOPA Would Mean To You

A list of answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the much-disputed anti-piracy legislation before the United States Congress has been published by CNET News. It also reported that some 4.5 million people signed the petition on Google during the blackout protest yesterday.

Year Ahead: Busy Copyright Schedule As Europe Seeks Economic Recovery

With European hopes for economic recovery pinned in large part on a more vibrant digital single market, 2012 will likely see a flurry of intellectual property-related legislative activities. Much of it centres on copyright, but the year may also bring movement on a unified European patent and changes in trademark law.