Category Trademarks/Geographical Indications/Domains

Europe Assesses “Changed World” In Trade Politics

European Union trade politicians in several meetings this week in Brussels reflected on the future of trade policy, also impacted by the US elections. “It is a changed world, period,” Iuliu Winkler, vice-chair of the parliamentary International Trade (INTA) Committee (European People's Party) said at the opening of the EU Trade Policy Day, expressing the general sentiment. While many members of INTA committee underlined the need of Europe to press ahead with their trade negotiations internationally, those critical of an aggressive trade agenda were eager to have their arguments not to be mixed with what was criticised as populist fear-mongering against globalisation.

WIPO Development Committee Finds Compromise On Future Work

The World Intellectual Property Organization committee on development last week agreed on a work programme which appears to be the best compromise to keep discussing subjects that developing countries consider as having major importance, such as how WIPO integrates development in its work, how the organisation implements the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and how WIPO delivers technical assistance to developing countries. They will also continue working on a project and a proposal related to technology transfer.

East African Nations Agree Declaration Promoting Regional Pharma Sector Investment

Senior officials from East African nations last week agreed on a declaration on promoting investment in the region's pharmaceutical sector, spelling out terms aimed at boosting investment in ways that are locally relevant and responsible. The declaration includes: steps to standardise and improve product quality and registration, boosting government procurement of local products, setting up research centres, adopting domestic laws on intellectual property and international trade flexibilities to IP, actions against counterfeit and substandard medical products, and increasing exports. The meeting comes as local pharmaceutical production is seen to be in decline in the region.

Proposals On How To Better Implement WIPO Development Agenda Recommendations Kept On Agenda

Today, the World Intellectual Property Organization committee on development agreed to pursue discussions on how WIPO is implementing the recommendations of its sweeping 2007 Development Agenda. The secretariat is instructed to provide a response to a set of recommendations provided by independent reviewers.

WIPO Committee Agrees To Focus Work To Improve WIPO Technical Assistance

Delegates at the World Intellectual Property Organization committee on development today agreed on how the committee should continue work on improving WIPO technical assistance to developing countries. For the next six sessions, delegates will work on a proposal for forums and secretariat reports with the aim of raising the accountability and effectiveness of WIPO technical assistance.

Navigating Fragmented Laws And Systems Around Tobacco Packaging Lawsuits

Sitting between different rights, powers and principles at the intersection of differing legal regimes is the case of Philip Morris v Uruguay. The case, which concerns Uruguayan regulations that impose enlarged graphic health warning requirements on tobacco packaging and reduce the varieties of a tobacco brand that can be sold, has since its decision in July this year by an investor-state arbitration tribunal, has caused much discussion among legal practitioners and academia and attracted broader public attention.

WIPO Members Divided On IP Agency’s Role In Implementation Of UN Sustainable Development Goals

Countries of the world decided in 2015 to launch an ambitious agenda to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all by 2030. What should be the role of the UN World Intellectual Property Organization in the attainment of the adopted United Nations Sustainable Development Goals? This question, discussed at the WIPO Committee on Development and IP, is dividing countries, as developed countries argue that only a few goals apply to the work of WIPO, and others argue that there should be no ‘cherrypicking’ as all the goals in one way or another do apply to WIPO's work as a UN agency.

WIPO Members Working Out Response To Independent Review of Development Agenda

The first review of the implementation of the 2007 Development Agenda Recommendations aimed at infusing a development dimension into the World Intellectual Property Organization found that this implementation had been mostly consistent with the expectations of member states, but the review provided a list of suggestions to fill additional gaps. In committee this week, some countries asked that the WIPO secretariat prepare a response on how it plans to implement the recommendations provided by the experts conducting the review, but this is yet to be agreed.

Mark Whitaker Of Morrison & Foerster Named AIPLA President

Mark L. Whitaker, a veteran intellectual property trial lawyer and partner in Morrison & Foerster’s Intellectual Property Litigation Practice Group in Washington, DC, has been named president of the American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA).

Ottiglio Leaves IFPMA For Consultancy In Geneva

Mario Ottiglio is stepping down as director of public affairs, communications & global health policy at the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers in Geneva. He will be staying in Geneva as the managing director of the new office of the High Lantern Group, a US consulting firm.