Designated ICANN CEO Takes Over Early
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) today announced that designated CEO Fadi Chehadé has assumed his new position.
Intellectual Property Watch
Original news and analysis on international IP policy
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European Parliament Passes Orphan Works Directive
The European Parliament today passed a “directive on certain permitted uses of orphan works” with 531 in favour versus 65 opposed (11 abstentions). The directive will be a good first step toward allowing the digitisation and making available to the public of older copyrighted works that are buried in the archives and libraries of the Union because no rights holder can be located, the lead rapporteur Lidia Geringer de Oedenberg (S&D) and many supportive MEPs said.
Syria Denounces Madrid Agreement On Trademark Registration
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) today announced that it has received notification that Syria will withdraw from the international trademark treaty known as the Madrid Agreement.
Public Not Eager To Be Consulted By ITU On Telecom Regs
The global public consultation started by the UN International Telecommunication Union (ITU) on the draft future International Telecommunication Regulations (ITR) has elicited few responses on the consultation website since it opened to comments on 15 August.
Chinese Official Gains Oversight Of UN Internet Governance Forum
The United Nations Department for Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) has a new boss. Chinese career diplomat Wu Hongbo was nominated earlier this year by the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, UNDESA only recently announced on its website.
Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. & Canada), Inc. Annual Meeting – Special Savings for IP-Watch Readers!
Don't miss the LES (USA & Canada) Annual Meeting, October 14-17 in Toronto: The must-attend licensing event for professionals across all industry sectors!
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Over 3-and-a-half days, the Plenary Sessions will help you delve into a range of cutting-edge issues, including the convergence of life sciences and high tech; a debate over the alleged patent bubble; and a robust, judge-led discussion about the Canadian and US patent environments. Targeted Mini-Plenary Sessions will drill down to timely topics of interest in each of the industry sectors, and you'll have the opportunity to select from any of over 40 interactive cross-sector workshops tailored to your interests.
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IP-Watch readers save $100! Use promo code IPW12 when registering for your discount.
US Film Industry (Also) Likes Democrats’ Platform On IP And Internet Freedom
The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) today said that it is "extremely pleased" with the presidential election platform of the Democratic Party, echoing praise the music industry group gave last week to the rival Republican Party.
Donations Rise For Wikileaks To Post Trans-Pacific Partnership Text
Nearly US$25,000 - and growing - in donations has been collected to hand over to Wikileaks if it successfully leaks the top-secret text of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement currently under negotiation. The draft text has been blocked from public scrutiny while being shared only with industry.
Silberschmidt To Join WHO As Senior Adviser To Director General
Gaudenz Silberschmidt, head of international affairs in Switzerland's public health office for the past decade, has been nominated to become senior adviser in the World Health Organization Office of the Director-General. He will have a special focus on the reform process taking place at the cash-strapped UN agency.
US Film Industry Praises Republicans On IP And Internet Freedom
The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) today (29 August) issued a statement praising the platform language of the Republican Party, which is opposing President Obama in this year's presidential election.
Public Library Must Provide Accessible E-Readers Under US Law
The United States Justice Department and the National Federation of the Blind have reached a settlement with the Sacramento, California Public Library Authority to fix violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act caused by using Barnes & Noble NOOK electronic reader devices in a patron lending programme. The readers excluded persons who are blind or have other disabilities requiring features such as text-to-speech or access through audio or tactile options. The library will no longer purchase exclusionary devices and has agreed to acquire a set of accessible ones, as well as train staff on the requirements of the disabilities law.
Novartis Challenge To India Patent Law Put Off To 11 September
The Supreme Court of India today did not get to an agenda item involving a challenge to India's patent law by Swiss pharmaceutical company Novartis, and it is now scheduled to come up on 11 September. The case is considered to have potential widespread impact on the production of lower priced generic medicines.