More Than 60 Groups, Companies Urge EU To Step Up Copyright Reform
A range of civil society groups and companies today urged the European Union to embrace a more ambitious agenda for reform of the Union's copyright law.
Intellectual Property Watch
Original news and analysis on international IP policy
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WHO Launches Public Consultation On Blueprint Material Transfer Agreement
The World Health Organization has launched a public consultation on the Draft Research and Development Blueprint Material Transfer Agreement tool text.
EU Parliament Approves Cross-Border Online Paid Content
The European Parliament today adopted the Portability Regulation by a margin of 586 to 34 votes with 6 abstentions. The new EU regulation will allow the cross-border use of online paid content which so far was hampered by geoblocking. Users now can access their Netflix, Sky Go or similar subscription services when roaming in the EU. But the regulation will not really end geoblocking, warned the minority opposed to the regulation, as Pirate Party Member Julia Reda.
US Renegotiation Of NAFTA To Include IP Rights, Digital Trade
Newly confirmed United States Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer issued a letter to Congress today stating that he will lead a renegotiation of the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with Canada and Mexico. And the changes will include new provisions on intellectual property rights and digital trade.
Major Research Funders, Institutions Pledge Transparency In Clinical Trials
More transparency on clinical trials is expected after major research funders, research institutions, and international health groups agreed that the research they fund or support will publicly release results of clinical trials.
New Industry Alliance Aimed At Antimicrobial Resistance
Pharmaceutical industry representatives today announced a new alliance to fight antimicrobial resistance. The announcement came during a meeting of the private sector of the most advanced countries.
Investor-State Provisions Mean EU Cannot Conclude Singapore Trade Deal Alone, EU Court Says
The European Union free trade agreement with Singapore cannot be concluded by the European Union alone, at least not in its current form, according to an opinion (2/2015, ECLI:EU:C:2016:992) handed down by the European Court of Justice in Luxemburg earlier today.
Microsoft Grant To UN: Tech For Human Rights
A five-year partnership between the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and Microsoft was announced today.
Brussels Conference On Innovation, Research and Competition In EU
An academic conference this month will explore issues related to innovation, research and competition in the European Union, addressing topics such as 5G, big data, patents and standards.
WHO Touts Its Past Work On Improving Access To Medicines
The World Health Organization today published an item entitled, Access to medicines: making market forces serve the poor, a chapter from its report ‘Ten years in public health 2007-2017’ of outgoing WHO Director General Margaret Chan.