Tobacco Plain Packaging Gains Ground As France Introduces Draft Bill
French Minister for Social Affairs, Health and Rights of Women Marisol Touraine today announced a national programme to reduce tobacco use in France, including plain packaging.
Intellectual Property Watch
Original news and analysis on international IP policy
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WIPO General Assembly Highlights Positions On Key IP Policy Issues
In the opening days of this week’s annual World Intellectual Property Organization General Assembly, member governments showed a diversity of views on issues such as negotiations for possible treaties on broadcasters’ rights, design law, copyright exceptions for libraries, and protection of traditional knowledge. But one of the biggest gaps is over the future of the WIPO Development Agenda, with some countries suggesting a new course for this agenda, and proponents deeply concerned about a loss of momentum.
Panellists Discuss Value Of Patent Pooling For HIV/AIDS, Potential For Other Diseases
A side event to this week’s World Intellectual Property Organization annual General Assembly highlighted the work of the Geneva-based Medicines Patent Pool in fighting HIV/AIDS, and discussed whether it makes sense for the patent pool model to be extended to other diseases.
Gilead Monopoly Prevails Over Non-Discriminatory Access As Debated Hepatitis C Deal Sets Off
Gilead on 15 September struck voluntary licence deals with seven India-based generic manufacturers to expand access to its hepatitis C innovative drugs in developing countries. With a limited territory covered, this, yet deserving, pact raises doubts about the coherence of Indian counterparts at a time when there are no relevant patents in India, several pre-grant oppositions have been filed and unrestrained competition by compulsory licences could have been pursued, writes Daniele Dionisio.
Rights Owners, Internet Companies Far Apart In Australian Copyright Consultation
Responses to an Australian government proposal for fighting online copyright infringement show a wide gap between rights holders and internet companies on liability, and website blocking.
Interview With KIPO Commissioner Kim Young-min
South Korea is now considered one of the most influential countries in the IP field. Intellectual Property Watch exchanged a set of questions for Kim Young-min, commissioner of the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) since 2013, speaking about KIPO’s policies for increasing international cooperation, reducing first action pendency, and preventing “bad faith” trademark applicants in Korea from making unfair profits.
WIPO Assemblies: Heavy Agenda With Potential Decisions On Normative Issues
The Assemblies of the World Intellectual Property Organisation member states opened this morning in a new conference hall for a 10-day marathon with many decisions to be taken on the programme of work of the organisation for the year to come, its governance, and the need to address issues left opened by several committees.
WIPO Staff Council Head Fired On Eve Of Annual Assembly; Chair Asked To Share Reports On Gurry
The World Intellectual Property Organization administration received a strong reaction from UN unions on Friday night when it fired the president of the UN agency’s staff association on the eve of the annual WIPO General Assembly. Meanwhile, the General Assembly chair has been called on to provide to member states the results of two confidential reports evaluating allegations made against the WIPO director general.
Numerous Side Events At WIPO General Assembly This Week
A number of side events have been scheduled during the annual General Assemblies of the World Intellectual Property Organization this week. The range of events are organised by WIPO as well as governmental and non-governmental organisations working in areas such as public health, finance, copyright, geographical indications and innovation.
Is The Development Dimension Of WIPO Incompatible With Its Role Of IP Protection?
The World Intellectual Property Organization is a successful United Nations agency if success is measured by its generated income and the number of international registrations of intellectual property titles. However, in its role as a norm-setting United Nations agency, the organisation has been struggling for the past year as member countries have quite a different view on its core objectives.
Top Officials Proposed For WIPO; Tied To Director’s Term
After months of consideration and an application process that attracted 360 applicants, the World Intellectual Property Organization secretariat has made public its proposed names for the top posts at the UN agency for the next six years. Only four out…
For Experts, Questions Still Abound On IP And Standard-Setting
BRUSSELS – Intellectual property experts at the annual conference of the European Policy for Intellectual Property Association (EPIP) discussed a range of topics including IP rights and standard-setting. The conclusion? Many questions remain unanswered.