European Commission Seeks Public Input On Preservation Of The Open Internet
The European Commission (EC) announced today that it would begin a period of public consultation on the subject of internet neutrality.
Intellectual Property Watch
Original news and analysis on international IP policy
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WIPO Copyright Committee Negotiating Texts Available
The World Intellectual Property Organization Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR) is meeting intensively to try to resolve differences on a variety of instruments, from visually impaired readers, to broadcasting, to educational and research institutions. Intellectual Property Watch has the latest texts.
Access To Medicines And Intellectual Property In Jordan
A new study sponsored by the Medicines Transparency Alliance (MeTA) sheds light on the impact of strong intellectual property protection on access to medicines.
US Congressional Committee Urged To Invite WIPO Staff Involved In Computer Shipments
The World Intellectual Property Organization has notified the US congressional committee scheduled to hold a briefing tomorrow on WIPO technical assistance shipments of computers and software to North Korea and Iran that the committee should invite staff who have more direct knowledge of those activities.
© 1912-2012. A Century of Dutch Copyright Law
International Copyright Conference, Koninklijk Instituut voor de Tropen, Amsterdam, 31 August 2012 -
In 2012, the Dutch Copyright Act (the “Auteurswet”) will celebrate its centenary. The Act of 1912 is one of the world’s oldest “living” acts in the authors’ rights tradition.
WIPO Staff Council President To Testify Before US Congressional Committee
The World Intellectual Property Organization official who informed the US House Foreign Affairs Committee of WIPO shipments of computers to Iran and North Korea will testify before the committee on Tuesday.
WIPO’s Gurry Discusses Iran/North Korea; Denies Whistleblower Retaliation
World Intellectual Property Organization Director General Francis Gurry today said the UN agency has cut off its programme of providing computer equipment to countries in order to eliminate doubts in “certain countries” about the programme as it relates to Iran and North Korea, and said he is moving swiftly to establish an independent review. He also said that he would authorise any WIPO official with competence for the programme to testify about it if asked.
WIPO Announces New Policy On Assistance To North Korea, Iran
The World Intellectual Property Organization today announced a new policy for dealing with countries sanctioned under the United Nations and has discontinued the provision of computer hardware to countries such as North Korea and Iran. It said its past assistance is being reviewed by relevant UN sanctions committees, but that it believes it was not in violation.
IP Exchange ‘Getting Some Teeth’; First Offerings Likely In Autumn
A new system to more effectively licence technology and facilitate the trading of intellectual property rights will come online later this year - and an increasing number of countries are taking notice.
Texts On Broadcasting, Copyright Education Exceptions, Metamorphise At WIPO
Members of the World Intellectual Property Organization copyright committee today received a large compilation text of proposals on limitations and exceptions for education and research, and promptly set about totally reworking it. They also reopened negotiations on a broadcasters’ rights treaty based on a new comparative table of proposals which they quickly deemed in need of redrafting. On broadcasting, the United States reopened a debate over whether the treaty should cover internet transmissions.
Dominican Republic Files WTO Case Over Australian Tobacco Packaging
The Dominican Republic, a strong tobacco producer, today notified the World Trade Organization that it has launched a dispute settlement case against Australia over its new law requiring tobacco to be sold in plain packaging in order to discourage its use for public health reasons.
Considering Canada’s Supreme Court Decisions In This Week’s WIPO Proceedings
As members of the international intellectual property community prepare for their third day of the 24th session of the Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR), they are told to keep the spirit of Beijing alive, referring to the recently concluded Beijing Treaty on Audiovisual Performances. However, there is reason to keep another country's spirit in copyright law in mind as well. Last week, the Supreme Court of Canada handed down five critically important copyright judgments that may very well colour the proposals made by member states at the SCCR.