Original news and analysis on international IP policy
By William New The proposed fiscal year 2008 budget for the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) would maintain agency efforts to increase international protection and enforcement of US patents and trademarks, according to a copy of the budget…
By Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen A recent top-level meeting of the World Health Organization discussed member states’ rights to address malaria using flexibilities in international trade and intellectual property law. But there was strong disagreement as to how far this…
With technology causing groundbreaking changes in global music industry business models, intellectual property rules governing music are in question. At the annual Midem gathering in Cannes in late January, Intellectual Property Watch’s William New sat down with Jacqueline Charlesworth, senior…
By Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen At a counterfeit and piracy meeting in Geneva, Japan reintroduced its proposal for an international legal framework on enforcement of intellectual property rights, and the European Union made clear its plans to step up IP…
By William New Multinational companies have long complained about cheap, dangerous knock-offs of their products undermining their profits and reputation, but in a two-day annual high-level gathering along with key intergovernmental organisations this week, they have taken the anti-piracy and…
By Catherine Saez Counterfeiting and piracy are inflicting an uncomfortable bite on profits for businesses and tax revenues for states, and also raise health and safety risks, say businesses and governments. The global business community is determined to fight back…
By Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen At last week’s meeting of the World Health Organization (WHO) Executive Board, member states expressed dismay with the process of a public health and intellectual property working group and agreed that the spirit they set…
By Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen Non-governmental participants have different opinions about how a World Health Organization (WHO) working group set up to boost research and development into neglected diseases, should best move forward. While some argue that intellectual property rights…
By William New Companies from the wealthiest nations continue to view a clampdown on theft of their intellectual property rights as key to improving their economic performance, and are targeting the largest developing countries in their effort. To their aid…
By Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch
While antipiracy initiatives and updated broadcasting protections remain dominant themes for government and industry this year, 2007 also could usher in an expansion of user rights as well, according to sources. In the United States and perhaps worldwide, the focus appears to be on fair use or fair dealing, said DowLohnes intellectual property attorney James Burger. Outside the US, it is taking the form of legislation clarifying or expanding private use of copyrighted material, he said, while internally, "the personal use issue is more likely to find its challenge in the judicial system."