Original news and analysis on international IP policy
Graham Dutfield is a legal researcher at the Queen Mary College of the University of London. He is a supporter of traditional knowledge protection and a critic of the anti-development and anti-consumer orientation of current trends in intellectual property rule-making.…
In preparation for the World Health Assembly in May, a group representing the World Health Organization (WHO) executive board will meet this week to discuss a recent WHO report on intellectual property rights and public health as well as a…
Intellectual Property Watch was very pleased to have sponsored Martha Pigott and Nick Duston, college students from the United States, this spring on internships to carry out research, writing and outreach activities. “We were thrilled to have them working with…
By William New and Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen Developing country members of the World Intellectual Property Organization this week are demanding that a key committee on genetic resources, traditional knowledge and folklore be mandated to agree on a legally binding…
New in the April edition of the Intellectual Property Watch Monthly Reporter, now available by subscription on our website, In the People section: A Business Software Alliance executive moved over to head a top US government technology agency, an…
The South Centre, a Geneva-based intergovernmental organisation, is gearing up its work on intellectual property by launching a new programme on innovation, access to knowledge and intellectual property. The centre says it already sees the results of the programme in…
[For the official biography of Michael Keplinger, please see IPW, May 5, 2006, WIPO] The United States government today confirmed it has put forward a senior Commerce Department official’s name for a top spot at the World Intellectual Property Organization.…
Officials holding consultations at the World Trade Organization today on whether geographical indication (GI) protection for wines and spirits should be extended to other products completed a list of questions on the issue, but made no progress on bridging differences.…
Government negotiators addressing the global harmonisation of patent systems today could not agree on a work programme for a key World Intellectual Property Organization committee, effectively stalling debate on the issue until the end of the year. “It is not…
Nations debating whether to harmonise national patent systems have turned their focus to developing country demands to include requirements that patent filers disclose the origin of genetic material and traditional knowledge. The debate is taking place in a 10-12 April…
India today floated a suggestion for joint meetings of two key committees at the World Intellectual Property Organization in a move that could change the way patents are addressed. The proposal could elevate biodiversity issues of concern to developing countries…
The member governments of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) cautiously opened discussion today on the future work programme of the committee responsible for harmonisation of patent laws. The issue is contentious as many WIPO developing country members have previously…