Obama Announces New Trade Enforcement Unit With IP Focus
In the annual State of Union address last night, US President Obama announced a new Trade Enforcement Unit that includes anti-piracy and anti-counterfeiting.
Intellectual Property Watch
Original news and analysis on international IP policy
Category IP-Watch Briefs
EPO Advisory Board Priorities: Fees, Thickets, Quality
The European Patent Office Economic and Scientific Advisory Board today announced its priorities for research, including patents fees, thickets and quality.
Is Piracy Part Of The Digital Ecosystem?
The blog Monday Note has an analysis today on digital piracy in light of the media frenzy over the US Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) bill last week. The analysis suggests that anti-piracy measures like France's Hadopi are not working, but there is evidence that offering competitive legitimate download sites does work.
EU Telecoms Said To Be Unfairly Restricting Internet Access
French online rights group La Quadrature du Net this week announced an analysis asserting that in more than half of European Union countries, telecommunications operators engage in "illegitimate" restrictions of their users' access.
Book Calls For Re-Casting Debate Over TRIPS And Medicines Access
A recent book analyses the role of intellectual property protection in providing incentives for innovation and its impact on access to medicines by retracing the origins, content and interpretations of the World Trade Organization agreement on IP rights and trade. It concludes that the debate needs to be recast in order for all sides to benefit going forward.
FAQ: What SOPA Would Mean To You
A list of answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the much-disputed anti-piracy legislation before the United States Congress has been published by CNET News. It also reported that some 4.5 million people signed the petition on Google during the blackout protest yesterday.
Book On “Idea Rights” Gives Clear, “Non-Ownership” Explanation Of IP Law
"Idea Rights: A Guide to Intellectual Property" is a new book that looks at the major statutes and cases in intellectual property law with experienced, yet fresh, eyes.
EU Innovation Commissioner Presents Horizon 2020
The European Union Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science today introduced the US policy community to Horizon 2020, the large-scale new multi-year research and innovation funding programme the EU is preparing to undertake.
Record Patent Filings At EPO
Despite the economic situation, the European Patent Office saw record patent filings in 2011 and maintained its share globally, it reported today.
USPTO In Obama’s Proposed Consolidation Of Trade-Related US Agencies?
US President Obama today announced a proposal to combine six government agencies working in areas of international trade and economics, aimed at boosting efficiency. This includes the Commerce Department, which currently houses the US Patent and Trademark Office, and it appears it would affect the USPTO.