Europe Acts On Visually Impaired Reader Access
The European Blind Union and the Federation of European Publishers have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on access to works for dyslexic or visually impaired readers on 14 September.
Intellectual Property Watch
Original news and analysis on international IP policy
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Online Social Media Strategy: Use Them Or Be Used By Them
A frontline debate among many industry intellectual property lawyers in the United States is how to handle the explosion in use of online social networking media tools like Facebook, Twitter or FourSquare.
US Companies, Officials Discuss Policies To Boost IP Value, Cut Costs
Private-sector experts and key government officials in the United States came together this week to discuss strategies for improving rules and procedures on intellectual property, and look for ways to maximise the value of company IP assets while cutting costs.
Consultations On WTO Drug Transit Case Continue
The second round of World Trade Organization dispute settlement consultations between the European Union and the Netherlands and India and Brazil over the seizure of generic medicines in transit were held this week.
Economists Report Empirical Evidence Of TRIPS Impact On Developing Countries
The World Trade Organization Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) agreement has sparked decades of international debate over whether exporting stronger intellectual property norms to developing countries is beneficial or harmful.
High Copyright Transaction Costs Cause “Friction,” Google Economist Tells WIPO
The combined forces of strengthening copyright law and the explosion of information has led to huge transaction costs in managing legitimate transactions of copyright material, the top economist from Google said yesterday at the World Intellectual Property Organization.
China Defies Global Trend In Patent and Trademark Applications, WIPO Says
The global economic crisis led to a significant drop in patent and trademarks filings in 2008 and particularly in 2009 but there are signs of recovery, according to the World Intellectual Property Indicators 2010 report released today. China is still showing vigorous growth and demand in intellectual property protection.
Swiss Supreme Court Forbids Rights Holder Access To IP Addresses
Swiss Supreme Court Forbids Rights Holders’ Access to Personal IP Addresses
The Swiss Federal Supreme Court took a decision on 8 September preventing the collection of Internet Protocol (IP) addresses by private companies.
Campaign Aims To Take Back Consumer Rights Over IP-Protected Products
Copyright and patent laws "are often misused" for reasons that have "more to do with limiting competition and preventing consumers from making innovative uses of their products" than they do with stopping piracy, global consumer advocacy group Consumers International plans to tell a UN internet meeting today. Such misuse includes limitations on the use of third-party content on devices such as the iPhone, and regional codes that prevent consumers from playing DVDs bought legally abroad in a consumer's home country.
Human Rights Council Opens With New Work On IP
The UN Human Rights Council opened yesterday morning, with its session planned to run until 1 October. Several new reports that touch on issues of innovation and indigenous protection are expected to be presented. The Working Group on the Right…
IP-Watch Chairs IP Law Summit
Intellectual Property Watch Editor William New this week is chairing an IP Law Summit in Las Vegas, Nevada (US), being held from 12-14 September. The event is addressing latest issues at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), prospects…
African Traditional Knowledge And Folklore Given IP Protection Despite Warning Of TK Commodification
Some African nations signed a protocol on the protection of traditional knowledge and folklore at the beginning of August gaining the praise of the World Intellectual Property Organization. However, a United Nations report launched in January warned against the application of western legal and economic principles to collectively owned knowledge in traditional communities.