WIPO Conference On IP And Development Provisional Programme Is Out
The provisional programme for an international conference on intellectual property and development at World Intellectual Property Organization taking place in April is now available.
Intellectual Property Watch
Original news and analysis on international IP policy
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UK IP Office Unveils 5-Year Strategy to Make Businesses More IP-Aware
The United Kingdom has a vibrant creative sector but many businesses don't take full advantage of their intellectual property, IP Minister Baroness (Lucy) Neville-Rolfe said in her introduction to an Intellectual Property Office five-year strategy report released today. IPO research shows that over 90 percent of firms haven't valued their IP, and small to mid-sized companies often don't understand or know how to protect it, she said. Even a modest boost in those figures could have a significant impact on the UK economy, she said.
WHO Board To Address Reform Progress, R&D Financing, Lobbyists/ Foundations
Next week, the World Health Organization Executive Board will hold its biannual meeting. On the agenda are key subjects such as the WHO reform process, sharing of influenza viruses for R&D, and a controversial framework for the WHO’s engagement with actors such as non-governmental organisations, private entities, and foundations. Also on the agenda is the effort to address the growing microbial resistance to antibiotics, and finding a way to finance research and development for diseases affecting primarily developing countries.
Medicines Patent Pool Announces Sub-Licensing Agreements For Hepatitis C Generics
By Jahan ‘Harry’ Taubman-Rezakhanlou for Intellectual Property Watch The Medicines Patent Pool today announced its first round of sub-licensing agreements with four generic manufacturers for the production and sale of a generic line of Bristol-Myers Squibb’s daclatasvir to 112 lower-to…
Panels Look At IP Considerations In Representing Creative Talent
NEW YORK – At a conference of hundreds of performers and agents in a hotel perched on Times Square this week, panellists told some interesting stories about intellectual property rights and protecting – or failing to protect - creations and performances.
Copyright, Unitary Patent System Lead EU IP Priorities In 2016
Modernisation of EU copyright and intellectual property rights enforcement law tops Europe's agenda in 2016. Trademark reform legislation approved last year takes effect this year, and a preliminary deal on trade secrets protection is expected to be finalised. Work on the unitary patent system continues, and there's an increased focus on the issue of patents versus plant breeders' rights.
ITU Report On Internet Of Things: Great Potential For Development But Privacy, Interoperability Concerns
Connected devices talking to each other and to humans could solve major global challenges and be a vector for global development, according to a new report by the UN International Telecommunication Union and Cisco Systems. However, issues remain, such as strategies to protect privacy, and interoperability between devices and systems.
WIPO Training In Africa: Brand SMEs’ Products To Exploit Innovation And Commercialization
KAMPALA, Uganda - Small and medium enterprises in Uganda should brand their products with geographical indications and collective marks to gain competitive advantage. This was one of the messages during a recent World Intellectual Property Organization event entitled, Advanced Training of Trainers Program on Effective Intellectual Property Asset Management by Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, (SMEs). The training took place in Kampala, Uganda on 8-10 December.
A Look At The Marrakesh Treaty Ratification In Brazil
The Marrakesh Treaty, first of its kind, will enter into force three months after the deposit of the instruments of ratification or accession by 20 eligible countries. So far, thirteen have done so. Brazil, which was one of the main proponents and negotiators, deposited its ratification of the treaty on December 11, 2015, after the yearlong internal legislative process. The key question we are trying to face here is how the ratification of this treaty may impact Brazilian copyright legislation and the interpretation of the limitations.
Council Of Europe Guidelines For Network Neutrality To Protect Freedom Of Expression, Privacy
The Council of Europe (CoE), the intergovernmental regional group that includes the European Union, today called on European governments protect the principle of network neutrality at the national level. The member countries adopted guidelines on protecting and promoting the right…
Obama Calls For TPP Approval On Eve Of ITC Hearing
On the eve of a three-day mega hearing on the impact of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) starting today at the US International Trade Commission, President Barack Obama called on Congress to approve the trade deal. In his final annual State of the Union Address last night, the TPP got only a minor mention.
Opportunities And Challenges That The Internet Of Things Creates
Over the past few years, we’ve seen paramount change in the way we access the internet – it started with desktops and soon shifted to mobile devices. But the world hasn’t been waiting for long to see it grow into something huge. Internet intelligence is now knocking at the door of our homes, cities, and businesses – this is what you’ve heard of as the Internet of Things (IoT).