Patentees Suffer Double Loss At US Supreme Court
The United States Supreme Court issued two important patent law decisions recently. Both unanimous rulings provided bad news to patentees, particularly patent trolls.
Intellectual Property Watch
Original news and analysis on international IP policy
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UK IP Advisor Points To Online Search Engines To Do More Against Piracy
Search engines don't cause internet piracy but they could do more to stamp it out, the UK Prime Minister's intellectual property advisor says in a new paper.
South African Trade Minister Davies: Election Result May Mean Fast Action On IP Policy
Intellectual property pundits have welcomed South African President Jacob Zuma’s decision to retain Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies in the position following South Africa’s May general elections. And Davies in an interview this week signalled that completing the national intellectual property policy may be a top priority.
No Agreement On Management Of WHO Relationship With External Actors
After several drafting sessions this week meant to finalise a framework to govern the engagement of the World Health Organization with the private sector, nongovernmental organisations, foundations and academics, country delegates admitted defeat today at the World Health Assembly.
World Health Assembly: WHO To Member States: Support Our Efforts Vs. Substandard, Fake Medicines
World Health Organization members this week will decide on approval of a work plan on poor quality medicines, and the WHO secretariat is hoping members will follow with financial support to carry out the plan.
Role Of Industry, NGOs, Foundations At WHO Under Intense Debate
A proposal to increase the engagement of “non-state actors” - industry, nongovernmental organisations, foundations and academics - in the activities of the World Health Organization is under intense debate at the annual World Health Assembly this week.
Independent Review Of WIPO Development Up For Debate
The World Intellectual Property Organization Committee on Development and Intellectual Property opened this week with a loaded agenda and some politically-charged issues. One of them is an independent assessment of the mandated mainstreaming of a development dimension into the activities of the UN organisation.
WHO Report Compares Prices, IP Status Of HIV Treatment In Middle-Income Countries
A new report from the World Health Organization concludes that prices of HIV treatments vary greatly between middle-income countries (MICs), often depending on patent landscape, licensing agreements, whether drugs were sourced from originator companies, and regulatory approval. For third-line treatments, the price of drugs remains a challenge for all, with newer products more likely to be patented in key countries of production.
US Backs Call For Investigation Into Claims Against Gurry
The United States mission in Geneva has issued a statement on the re-election of World Intellectual Property Organization Director General Francis Gurry, stressing governance issues and voicing strong support for an investigation into a complaint about alleged misconduct at WIPO.
Gurry Re-Elected By Praiseful WIPO Membership; Some Ask For Transparent, Accountable Governance
Some five minutes is all it took this morning for the World Intellectual Property Organization General Assembly to re-elect Francis Gurry at the head of WIPO for the next six years. All delegations taking the floor congratulated the director general and underlined the achievements under his current mandate. However, the matter of allegations by one of the WIPO deputy directors general is being investigated.