Category Trademarks/Geographical Indications/Domains

Survey Analyzes Tech, Media, Telecom Disputes; IP Prominent

Newly released results of a survey published by the Queen Mary University of London on disputes relating to technology, media and telecommunications reveal interesting details about the types of disputes brought and the reasons behind them.

ARIPO Lines Up IP Enhancing Activities For 2017

CAPE TOWN, South Africa – From establishing training schemes, exchange expertise, sharing research, and helping members acquire and develop technology related to intellectual property and shape copyright associated rights, the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) has set targets for implementation in 2017.

WEF Davos: Responsible Leadership, Fourth Industrial Revolution, Social Responsibility

Days away from the opening of the annual World Economic Forum in Davos, the founder of the forum described the main themes of the upcoming event, and underlined the role of social responsibility for business leaders.

After 15 Years In WTO, China Still Weak On Many IP Rights Rules, US Says

Innovation and intellectual property rights have set the United States apart from competitors in recent history, and China seems intent on closing that gap any way it can. A US trade office report out this week on China’s compliance with World Trade Organization rules 15 years after accession show the magnitude of China’s continuing compliance problems related to intellectual property rights.

UN Establishes Technology Bank For Least-Developed Countries, Including An IP Bank

The United Nations has established a “technology bank” for least-developed countries that aims to strengthen the science, technology and innovation capacity of LDCs that includes better management of intellectual property rights.

ARIPO Amends Protocol On Patents, Utility Models And Designs

The Harare Protocol on Patents, Industrial Designs and Utility Models has been amended. The amendments were adopted by the 40th Session of the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) Administrative Council, and came into operational effect from 1 January 2017.

Top IP-Watch Stories Of 2016 Reflect Cutting Edge Issues, Lingering Concerns

Hundreds of thousands of people visited articles on Intellectual Property Watch last year, and we published nearly 1,000 original articles. The year’s most-visited articles reflected a mix of new ideas and policies worldwide and some recurring issues, with especially heavy attention on stories involving India.

USTR Nominee Lighthizer May Fit Strong Stance On IP Protection

Robert Lighthizer, President-elect Donald Trump's newly named choice for United States Trade Representative, appears to fit Trump's strong stance on China, including on intellectual property protection, but is a longstanding Washington Republican insider and negotiator of trade agreements, which might seem contrary to Trump's stated questioning of the status quo. Still, some say he is apart from Trump's other appointments on trade in important ways.

IP World Enters New Year With Major Shift Of People In Pharma, Copyright

As a new year dawns, a lot of movement has been observed in the pharmaceutical industry with new key players taking the lead. Meanwhile, new delegates are covering IP issues in Geneva, and coordination of regional groups at the World Intellectual Property Organization makes its usual yearly shift for 2017. The copyright industry also saw major changes, and law offices have been busy hiring new partners.

2016 USTR List Of ‘Notorious’ Markets: Stream Ripping, Taobao And Switzerland

The United States Trade Representative’s office today released its annual “notorious markets” for intellectual property-infringing goods, with a list of 21 online and 12 physical markets worldwide. Many of the online sites are based across Europe, including several in Switzerland, but also in Russia and China as in the past. A big feature is China's Taobao, and new methods like stream ripping.