All General Obligations To Retain Traffic Data Found Illegal Under EU Law
The European Court of Justice in Luxembourg made big news today when it ruled against indiscriminate retention of traffic and localisation data once again.
Intellectual Property Watch
Original news and analysis on international IP policy
Category Trademarks/Geographical Indications/Domains
ECJ Advocate General Says EU Commission Cannot Make Trade Deals Without Member States
Not all parts of the European Union-Singapore trade agreement "fall within the EU’s exclusive competence and therefore the agreement cannot be concluded without the participation of all of the Member States." This is the result of an opinion of the European Court of Justice Advocate General Eleanor Sharpston published today.
Southeast Asian Countries Launch IP Cooperation Plan To Be Assisted By WIPO, EU
BANGKOK – Countries in Southeast Asia have launched a 10-year action plan to strengthen their intellectual property rights cooperation, with the European Union and the World Intellectual Property Organization providing financial and technical assistance in helping the countries to achieve their goals.
Trademarks Promote Economic Growth In Latin America, Industry Study Says
A new study by intellectual property trade associations analysed the correlation between trademarks and their economic impact on several Latin American countries. The study found that trademark registration is growing in the region and promotes economic growth.
Group Finds Discrepancies In Implementation Of Nagoya Protocol Between EU, Providers
A new report by two civil society groups explores what they say are discrepancies between European Union and provider country laws implementing the Nagoya Protocol on genetic resources, which they say could lead to legal uncertainties for users and providers.
Idea Of A Multilateral Investment Court Makes Headway, Proponents Say
The European Union and Canada held an informal meeting in Geneva this week to present a project for a multilateral investment court to handle global investor-state disputes, hoping to draw interest and questions by other country delegates, according to sources. Time will be needed to gain acceptance of the idea, they said, and the next opportunity will be at the January World Economic Forum in Davos.
ICC Named UN Observer – Big Business Gets A Seat At The UN Table
The International Chamber of Commerce, the world’s largest business organisation, today was granted observer status at the United Nations General Assembly, given business a direct voice in the UN system for the first time ever, the ICC announced.
UNESCO Report Backs Right To Encryption In ‘Golden Age Of Surveillance’
The United Nations Economic, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has released a report on encryption, taking the perspective of human rights.
EU, Canada Meet To Discuss A New Model For Investor-State Trade Disputes
The European Commission and the Canadian government today and tomorrow are hosting a first meeting for talks on a new multilateral investment court. Such a court could, the European Commission explained in an announcement, become the follow-up mechanism for the existing investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) provisions that are part of 3,200 bilateral and multilateral free trade agreements around the world.
UN Study: GIs Could Open New Markets For Poor Countries If Financing, Training Provided
A new study by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) finds that geographical indications could open the way to lucrative export markets for least-developed countries. The study calls for UN agencies to support those countries in their effort to develop GIs and diversify their exports, but warns about the need for capacity building and financial help, and raises biodiversity concerns of GI intensification.