African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI) Joins UPOV
The Geneva-based Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) announced yesterday that the African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI) became its seventy-second member.
Intellectual Property Watch
Original news and analysis on international IP policy
Category IP-Watch Briefs
Less Than Half The World Has Internet Access; Barriers, Disincentives Appearing, ISOC Finds
The internet is expected to reach 3 billion people globally next year, but “much development work still remains to bring the economic and social benefits of the internet to all people and to make sure everyone has quality access” Kathy Brown, president and CEO of the Internet Society (ISOC), said on today’s release of ISOC’s first annual report on the state of the internet.
CJEU Removes Threat Hanging Over Internet Users
Thanks to the latest ruling of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) on a long-standing copyright case, millions of internet users across the EU can keep calm and carry on browsing websites.
Libraries Can Digitise Books Without Consent, European Advocate General Says
Libraries can digitise individual books in their collections without the consent of rights holders, the Advocate General of the European Court of Justice, Niilo Jääskinen, has written in his application in a case (C-117/13) pending at the Luxembourg Court.
Open Policy Network Launched
A new network has been launched with the aim of promoting open policies worldwide. The network brings together dozens of nongovernmental organisations, universities, international organisations, foundatioins and individuals under guiding principles and a work plan. According to its website, Open…
WHO Bulletin Focusses On BRICS And Global Health
The June edition of the World Health Organization monthly Bulletin is dedicated to public health and the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa). That was a key issue of the recent World Health Assembly, as the emerging economies gain strength and coordinate their efforts to improve health access for their citizens, particularly as they graduate from global aid projects.
First Report Of The US Industry Copyright Alert System
The groundbreaking Copyright Alert System set up a year ago by internet service providers and copyright holders to stop unauthorised music and film downloads, saw 1.3 million alerts sent out in it its first 10 months, according to a new report. And it expects to double in size this year.
EU Council Agrees Approach For New Legal Framework On Trade Secrets
The European Council today agreed on an approach for establishing a new legal framework for protecting trade secrets.
WHO Executive Board Wraps Up Post-WHA Work
At the World Health Organization 135th Executive Board meeting this week, member states discussed improvements to cut down on lengthy World Health Assemblies, and adopted two reports for further discussion on surgical care and anaesthesia, and the health impact of air pollution.
New WHO Document On Neglected Disease R&D Model Projects
A new document on efforts to find innovative financing for neglected diseases has been made available today at the World Health Assembly.
External WIPO Members Group Considers DG Investigation
According to sources, members of the Independent Advisory Oversight Committee, an external member state body at the World Intellectual Property Organization, are meeting this week to discuss a possible investigation into allegations made involving the WIPO director general.
UN Expert Calls For Using Public Food Purchasing To Boost Right To Food
“Governments have few sources of leverage over increasingly globalised food systems - but public procurement is one of them,” the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to adequate food states in a new report. The right to food should be included in public food purchasing according to five principles in order to make food systems fairer and more sustainable, he said.