Original news and analysis on international IP policy
A programme of promotion, education and incentives combined to bring about a remarkable rise in trademark filings in the Chinese municipality of Qingdao, a joint study of the World Intellectual Property Organization and Qingdao municipal government found.
Heading into the final stretch of the year, it is a good time to catch up on all of the staff changes that have occurred in governments, industry, law firms and nongovernmental organisations related to the IP community in Geneva. Here is a rundown of some of top moves made by people since the start of the year.
Ministers from Mexico, Canada and the United States concluded the second weeklong round of negotiations for an updated North American Free Trade Agreement in the past four weeks, and claimed progress on "important" issues and the shaping of a text with some 24 chapters. But the government officials offered no specifics to the public.
In a US burger battle, it appears that Smashburger may soon end up with a bad taste in its mouth if In-N-Out’s allegations in its latest trademark complaint against Smashburger are proven true.
Geneva, Switzerland is the gathering point for the world's governments to set international policy and practices relating to intellectual property rights, as they cut across many of the public policy issues of the day (eg innovation, trade, internet, health, food), including at the World Intellectual Property Organization, World Trade Organization and World Health Organization. Everyone has a stake in what governments and their stakeholders do in these venues. But who do you talk to in order to get your message through? Now Intellectual Property Watch has fully updated its unique list of the diplomats representing many of the key nations in those institutions in Geneva. Available here for subscribers only!
A trademark industry study released today looks at the economic contribution of trademark-intensive industries in five countries in the Southeast Asian region, and finds they are making a significant contribution. The study puts a particular focus on Singapore.
NEW YORK – An event of international law enforcement, security experts and industry this week at the United Nations headquarters in New York aimed at building strategies against a wide range of intellectual property crime worldwide. At the event, a senior United States official discussed plans to expand a program of US IP experts abroad.
China and the European Union appear to be on track to complete a deal on geographical indications that could include protection of some 100 products each from the EU and China. Comments have been received on the proposed list and are undergoing translation. Among them, a United States lobby group said the list for China to protect unfairly includes several generic food names that should not belong solely to the EU.
This summer, the International Trademark Association (INTA), the global trademark industry group, launched a one-of-a-kind pilot program offering pro bono attorneys the opportunity to help nonprofits and others obtain and protect trademarks. And in its first weeks, it is already receiving submissions and a positive response, according to an INTA representative.
With much of the rest of the western world on holidays, the Office of the United States Trade Representative spent this month in meetings and issuing statements about improving international trade conditions for the US.
Over the past two weeks, United States Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and other senior officials have been involved in activities with Canada and Mexico (under renegotiation of the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement, NAFTA), Japan, South Korea, and China.