Original news and analysis on international IP policy
By Bruce Gain for Intellectual Property Watch
An upcoming federal court ruling in the United States that will determine whether or not RealNetworks' RealDVD copying software violates the US Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) will likely have a major impact on releases of similar software in the near future.
By Liza Porteus Viana for Intellectual Property Watch
Intellectual property and financial stakeholders, representatives from developing and developed countries, and non-governmental organisations are in Vienna this week to work on a global guide on how to use intellectual property as collateral in commerce.
By Kaitlin Mara
The World Intellectual Property Organization has advertised a range of top positions, including head of the Internal Audit Section, chef de cabinet (director of the director general's office) and his/her deputy, a chief information officer, a human resources director, a chief economist and an official responsible for global challenges such as climate change.
The Intellectual Property Watch Monthly Reporter features the most important news on international IP policymaking, the latest on who is coming and going in the IP community at the United Nations, World Trade Organization, Geneva missions, regional and national IP…
By Liza Porteus Viana for Intellectual Property Watch
NEW YORK - As the value of intellectual property increases in the innovation economy, an increasing number of IP owners are trying to guard their ideas and innovations through business-method patents, international trade agreements, biological patents and other forms of protection.
But amid the economic crisis roiling the financial markets around the world and trickling down to Main Street, intellectual property owners often need to weigh the costs and benefits of protecting their IP assets through litigation. Many companies say it is hard-knock times like these that make protecting their intellectual property even more vital.
By Bruce Gain for Intellectual Property Watch
Five years and over 30,000 lawsuits later, both sides in the music industry's legal battle against illegal file-sharing in the United States claim they are prevailing.
The Council of the European Union has prepared a confidential draft contribution to the World Intellectual Property Organization gap analyses on traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions, which will be discussed at the WIPO Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore from 13 to 17 October.
By Liza Porteus Viana for Intellectual Property Watch
When the new administration and Congress come into office following the November elections in the United States, the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries will prioritise protection of their intellectual property and innovative biological drugs as the push for cheaper, generic versions gets stronger. Patent reform also will continue to be a lobbying priority, as well as making sure intellectual property is protected in any forthcoming international trade agreements.
By Kaitlin Mara
As more companies embrace environmental sustainability as an essential part of business strategy, policymakers have been questioning what they can do to create a policy environment conducive to green business. Intellectual Property Watch spoke to several green business professionals to get their view on the IP policy environments in which they work.
By Liza Porteus Viana for Intellectual Property Watch
BOSTON - More companies have joined a global effort to improve the environment by pledging "green" patents for use in the public domain. Meanwhile, a US IP law group passed a resolution on IP and public health, including provisions urging restriction of compulsory licences.