Category IP-Watch Briefs

200 Companies, Organisations Worldwide Promote Stronger Encryption

Nearly 200 organisations, companies and others from 42 countries have signed an open letter to the international community demanding that stronger encryption tools be allowed to be developed and used. The letter describes encryption tools and services as vital components of maintaining a secure digital environment, where if users are allowed to use the strongest forms of encryption it can allow for the safest and most efficient ways to communicate across borders.

Wired – UNICEF Invests $9m In ‘Open Source’ Tech To Save Children’s Lives

The United Nations will fund 60 startups to create open source technologies to improve the lives of children in developing countries. Unicef, the children's charity run by the UN, will channel more than $9 million into startups based on venture capital-style investing. But it isn't concerned if the companies fail.

European Data Protection Officers On Privacy Shield Announcement: Please Send Text!

A day after the European Commission announced an agreement with US authorities for a “Privacy Shield” as a follow-up mechanism for the invalidated Safe Harbour Agreement, the Article 29 Working Party of European Union data protection officers said they need to see the written text before making their final assessment.

Monika Ermert
February 3, 2016
1 Comment

The Conversation – Netflix’s VPN Ban Proves We Need To Develop A Global, Legal Digital Marketplace

In mid-January, Netflix announced a ban on the use of proxies, unblockers, and virtual private networks (VPNs)—all technical work-arounds to view movies and TV programs unavailable in the subscriber’s country. This announcement coincided with the company’s global service launch into more than 130 new markets.

WHO Report: 45 Million New Jobs In Health Workforce By 2030

A new report from the World Health Organization says there will be 45 million new jobs in the health workforce worldwide by the end of the UN Sustainable Development Goals in 2030. But most of the new jobs will be created in upper-middle and high-income nations.

William New
February 1, 2016

WIPO Conference On IP And Development Provisional Programme Is Out

The provisional programme for an international conference on intellectual property and development at World Intellectual Property Organization taking place in April is now available.

Catherine Saez
January 22, 2016
2 Comments

Medicines Patent Pool Announces Sub-Licensing Agreements For Hepatitis C Generics

By Jahan ‘Harry’ Taubman-Rezakhanlou for Intellectual Property Watch The Medicines Patent Pool today announced its first round of sub-licensing agreements with four generic manufacturers for the production and sale of a generic line of Bristol-Myers Squibb’s daclatasvir to 112 lower-to…

Council Of Europe Guidelines For Network Neutrality To Protect Freedom Of Expression, Privacy

The Council of Europe (CoE), the intergovernmental regional group that includes the European Union, today called on European governments protect the principle of network neutrality at the national level. The member countries adopted guidelines on protecting and promoting the right…

William New
January 13, 2016
1 Comment

Trade Commissioner Malmstroem Promotes TTIP, Warns Against Intolerance

MUNICH -- At a New Year's reception of the Regional Chamber of Commerce in Karlsruhe, Germany today, European Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstroem promoted the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) and warned against "extreme views, opposed to open societies and economies."

Monika Ermert
January 12, 2016
8 Comments

50+ US Congress Members Urge Reasonable Licensing Terms For Government-Funded Medical Patents

More than 50 members of the United States Congress today sent a letter urging the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and National Institutes of Health (NIH) to exercise their legal authority to require medical patents that have emerged from government-funded medical research projects to be licensed on reasonable and affordable terms for public use.

UN Initiative On Access To Medicines Calls For Contributions

The United Nations Secretary-General’s newly formed High Level Panel on Access to Medicines launched a call for contributions by stakeholders at the end of December, in an effort it says could transform millions of lives.

Catherine Saez
January 7, 2016
1 Comment

WIPO Survey Seeks Public Input On UN Agency’s Development Agenda

Interested observers have a unique opportunity until mid-January to give their views on the landmark 2007 World Intellectual Property Organization Development Agenda, including its implementation, relevance, impact, effectiveness, efficiency in use of resources, and its sustainability.

William New
December 24, 2015