Microsoft Asserts Patents In E-Readers, Tablets
US software-maker Microsoft today filed lawsuits for patent infringement against bookseller Barnes & Noble and its makers of Android-based electronic book reader and tablet devices.
Intellectual Property Watch
Original news and analysis on international IP policy
Category IP-Watch Briefs
White House Issues Proposals For IP Legislation
The Obama administration today issued a series of recommended legislative changes to further beef up domestic intellectual property rights protection, including boosting criminal punishment of pharmaceutical counterfeiters and those engaged in "economic espionage," increasing wiretapping, making infringing online streaming a felony, and giving more powers to customs officials.
WHO Opens Expert R&D Financing Group To Public Scrutiny
The 5-7 April meeting of the Consultative Expert Working Group on research and development: financing and coordination (CEWG) will partly be open to the public to enhance transparency, the World Health Organization said today. The expert group is part of…
Draft Review Finds No WHO Malfeasance On Pandemics
The draft report of the committee reviewing the World Health Organization's actions in response to the 2009 spread of H1N1, or swine flu, has been issued. Looks like the WHO may be cleared.
Media Piracy In Emerging Economies Report Stirs Debate
A large (440-page) new report on media piracy in emerging economies is stirring significant debate in internet copyright and open access circles, as it purports to turn rights owner assertions and the basis for developed country IP policy on their heads.
Public Input Sought In Review Of WIPO Technical Assistance
Public input is being sought this week for an external review of technical assistance provided by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). For years, questions have been raised over the fairness and appropriateness of the guidance and training provided to developing countries by WIPO provides, the UN agency whose aim is to promote protection of IP rights.
Tech Industry Unhappy With US Patent Reform Bill
The high technology remains unconvinced by efforts in the United States Senate to reform US patent laws, a Washington tech industry association said today, as debate on the bill began on the Senate floor.
Parliament Approves European Directive Against Falsified Medicines
The European Parliament today approved a new law aimed at preventing falsified medicines from entering the legal supply chain, according to a Parliament press release. The law needs to be formally approved by the Council of Ministers.
Obama 2012 Budget Proposal Reduces Exclusivity For Biologics
Shortly after passage last year of the US healthcare reform act called for a regulatory pathway to bring follow-on biologic drugs, or biosimilars, to market with 12 years of data exclusivity for brand-name producers, the Obama administration has proposed to reduce that time to its original 7 years, according to sources. The move, contained in the 2012 budget proposal, is expected to allow lower priced generic versions of drugs to enter the market sooner, a benefit to consumers.
European Commission Sued On EU-India Bilateral Trade Deal
Watchdog organisation Corporate Europe Observatory (CEO) yesterday filed a complaint at the European General Court against the European Commission's denial of access to information on the EU-India bilateral trade talks.
Australia Accused Of Using Development Aid To Push Trade Agreements
A United Nations independent expert yesterday issued a statement on Australia's aid programmes for countries in need, praising some of the country's work but warning that it not use such aid to pressure regional governments to enter into free trade agreements with it.
USPTO Requests Budget Increase, Expects Rise In Applications
The United States Patent and Trademark Office yesterday submitted a request to the US Congress for a budget increase in 2012 on expectations of a rise in patent and trademark applications and promises of reductions in application processing times.