UK Intellectual Property Office Seeks Comment On Copyright Exceptions
Draft legislation updating UK copyright exceptions is out for comment, the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) has said.
Intellectual Property Watch
Original news and analysis on international IP policy
Category English
WHO Updates Guidance For Pandemic Flu Risk Management
The World Health Organization (WHO) has released an updated guidance document on pandemic influenza risk management, which includes the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Framework for the sharing of influenza viruses and access to vaccines and other benefits that was discussed by member states during the 66th World Health Assembly (WHA) in May.
Interview With Tanja Rajić: The Impact Of EU Enlargement On Trademark Practice In Croatia
Ten years after applying for membership, Croatia is finally joining the European Union on 1 July 2013. Tanja Rajić, senior associate at PETOSEVIC, explains how six years of accession negotiations and the adoption of the acquis communautaire have affected intellectual property protection in Croatia and prepared it for becoming a member state.
WTO TRIPS Council: Discussion Of Innovation Shows Divergent Views; Tobacco Back On Agenda
The impact of intellectual property rights on the transfer of ‘green’ technology was brought up to the World Trade Organization committee on intellectual property this week with divided points of view. In addition, a discussion on cost-effective innovation was criticised by some developing countries as side-tracking the committee's objectives, and the European Union's planned revision of its tobacco products directive was disapproved by some producer countries.
LDCs Obtain New Waiver On IP Obligations At WTO, Take It As A Limited Victory
World Trade Organization members this week agreed to give least-developed countries an extra eight years to implement international intellectual property protection rules. The decision received a broad support among countries, with some voicing reservations about the negotiation process.
Geneva Study Finds ‘Evergreening’ Increases Healthcare Costs
A recent Geneva-based study found that so-called evergreening practices utilised by drug manufacturers are successful in protecting profits by maintaining company market share and offsetting generic competition and cost containment policies.
Mass Surveillance No Surprise To Many In Technology And Politics
Revelations about boundless spying by the National Security Agency and other US agencies on the electronic communications of US and non-US citizens are rippling international politics and will be a surprise topic at the upcoming Group of 8 summit in Dublin. But the more savvy technical community has been slow to react. There is some speculation about the technical solutions used and even less call for action. For many, quite obviously, the state surveillance does come as a surprise at least because of its scope.
Criticism Of The 2012 ITRs Not Valid, Says Former Senior ITU Official
The failure to reach agreement in Dubai in December 2012 at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) World Conference on International Telecommunication (WCIT-12) resulted in a refusal to sign the treaty that was approved at the conference. Various reasons have been given to justify not signing the treaty (IPW, ITU/ICANN, 13 December 2012). A new article explaining the outcome was published today by a former senior ITU official, and made freely available by special arrangement for IP-Watch readers.
ICANN Accepts Some Government Advice On New TLDs
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) this week accepted another set of advice from its Government Advisory Committee (GAC) with regard to new top-level domain applications.
WTO Members Agree On Draft Extension Of TRIPS Transition For LDCs
World Trade Organization members today reached a draft decision on a request put forward by least-developed countries to extend the period during which they do not have to comply with international rules of intellectual property rights protection, according to sources. Under the terms of the hard-fought decision, LDCs can benefit from an extension of eight more years.
EU Court Backs Secrecy, Privileged Industry Access In Trade Talks
Secrecy in trade negotiations and privileged access for business and trade associations does not violate EU law, according to a judgment handed in by the Court of the European Union in Luxembourg today.
WIPO Study: Informal Economy Important To Developing Country Growth, But No IP
During a recent meeting of the World Intellectual Property Organization Committee on Development and Intellectual Property (CDIP), a study on innovation in the informal economy was presented by the organisation's secretariat. The exercise was conducted in an effort to better understand how innovation occurs and how intellectual property is relevant in that context.