IP, Gender & Traditional Cultural Expressions
A call for papers has been issued for an upcoming event on intellectual property rights, gender and traditional cultural expressions. Abstracts for papers are due on 18 February.
Intellectual Property Watch
Original news and analysis on international IP policy
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IP Enforcement Extravaganza Assails Consequences Of Counterfeits
PARIS - Counterfeiting and piracy are on the pillory at the annual event organised by three intergovernmental agencies fighting intellectual property rights infringement. Much of the emphasis of this year’s event is being placed on the danger to the consumers and the economic consequences of infringement as well as on the necessity of enforcement measures. But some developing country delegates present at the event raised concern that the event might not be taking their concerns sufficiently into account.
Financial Crisis Increased ICT Exports From Asia
The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) released data today that show Asian economies increased their share of global exports of information and communication technology (ICT) goods in 2009 over the previous year. This means the global financial crisis further shifted trade in these goods toward Asia, UNCTAD said.
Europe Calls For Radical Change On Innovation; EU Patent In Works
The European Union is failing to keep pace with key competitor nations and is in need of a radical new, greatly simplified, approach to research and innovation, the European Commission said today. And an element of what is needed is a European-wide patent.
People: New Lead For US Global IP Policy; KEI Lawyer To MSF; Copyright Kings In Washington
An American industry representative with European ties has been named to take over the role of coordinating and communicating US international policy on patents and trademarks. Meanwhile, a key civil society lawyer became US manager of Doctors without Borders Access to Medicines campaign in the United States. And a music industry lawyer central to several landmark copyright cases has been nominated to be the next solicitor general. Catch these and the new faces at the trade associations and law firms in the latest edition of the IP-Watch People Column.
Microsoft General Counsel On Pricing For The Poor, Cloud Computing
A top official of the Microsoft Corporation paid a visit to his former school in Geneva yesterday on his way from the World Economic Forum, and talked about corporate responsibility, the company’s principles, infringement issues and cloud computing. He also tried to explain the company’s complex differential pricing regime aimed at lowering prices for lower income populations – especially if they don’t happen to speak a popular world language.
US Legislation Would Prevent Patents On Tax Strategies
A bill was introduced into the United States Senate last week that would prevent any individual or company from being able to get a patent on a tax strategy. The bill also is included in the patent reform bill reintroduced into the Senate Judiciary Committee last week and expected to come up as soon as this week.
Are European Think Tanks Corporate Lobbyists By Another Name?
Think tanks can be a godsend for reporters with a looming deadline. Almost invariably, they are staffed with articulate policy specialists, adept at summarising complex issues in a few quotable sentences. Frequently, too, the think tanks have neutral-sounding names, so a reader or viewer of news reports can easily believe that they are independent of vested interests.
Closer inspection reveals that many of these “independent” bodies are in fact heavily reliant on corporate donations. This is especially the case for a number of think tanks working on intellectual property.
Last Online Voices Before Change Bursts From Digital Darkness In Egypt?
For anyone in Egypt in recent months or years, it was impossible to ignore the extraordinary destitution of masses of people living in dusty, stark cement structures everywhere on the edges of Cairo or the choked roads clogged with a far-too-rapidly swollen population. Reports from the ground via digital technologies chronicled events that hit this week, but it might be the digital silence today that seals the change.
WTO Geographical Indications Talks Tiptoe; Substantive Discussion Coming
After more than a decade of stalled negotiations, World Trade Organization members have entered into a debate about creating a register for the international protection of wines and spirits with place names.
Innovation, Generic Drugs, Patents In Congress Follow Obama’s State of the Union Speech
American lawmakers aren’t wasting any time getting down to business after President Obama stressed the importance of spurring innovation during his annual State of the Union address this week and cited the need for the United States to regain its competitive edge, particularly when up against countries such as China and India. A slew of related bills are emerging in Congress.
Midem Music Congress: The Two Universes Of The Music Business
CANNES - More help from governments, a hope for new cloud music services and new markets in emerging countries like Brazil. India and China were on the wish list of the big music labels and publishers at this week's annual industry bash in Cannes, France. Technology companies and the newly invited hackers were more concerned with new ways to better access music and connecting artists and fans.