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WIPO General Assembly Wrap: Many Decisions Made, But External Offices, Design Treaty Left Hanging

After an intense 10 days of negotiations, World Intellectual Property Organization delegates this week managed to close all items of the organisation's annual General Assemblies, with major decisions taken, such as the approval of the 2018/2019 budget, and a new mandate and work programme for the committee on the protection of genetic resources and traditional knowledge. However the inability to decide at the ambassador level which countries would host new WIPO field offices, and on the convening of a high-level negotiation to conclude a treaty on industrial designs, led to some teeth grinding.

WIPO Delegates Agree On Budget For 2 Years; US Still Vigilant On GI Treaty

On the last day of the annual World Intellectual Property Organization General Assembly, delegates today found a way to agree on the issues blocking the adoption of the 2018/2019 budget. In particular delegates found a way to address requests made by the United States on the program and budget, notably on the financing of the WIPO agreement protecting geographical indications.

Latest Draft From WIPO Informal Negotiations On TK, Genetic Resources

A new draft emerged today, the last day of the negotiations, on renewal of the mandate of a World Intellectual Property Organization committee on protection of genetic resources and traditional knowledge.

TRIPS Council: IP And Innovation, Compulsory Licensing, Questions For EU On Goods In Transit

The intellectual property committee of the World Trade Organization is meeting next week with several notable items on the agenda, including some reviving earlier negotiations. Among topics for discussion on intellectual property and innovation is a focus on inclusive innovation and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. Also, India also submitted a series of questions for the European Union about goods in transit, echoing an earlier WTO dispute. And separately, some countries are holding a workshop on geographical indications and traditional knowledge.

Clock Ticking For WIPO Assembly To Agree On Budget, Design Treaty, Genetic Resources

This morning no breakthroughs were reported by delegates chairing informal meetings to reach consensus before the end of the annual World Intellectual Property Organization General Assembly tomorrow. Agreement still has to be reached on the most political issues, such as the budget, the mandate of the committee on genetic resources and traditional knowledge, and where the next WIPO field offices will be hosted. Also under discussion is the composition of one of WIPO’s governing bodies, challenged by the Asia and Pacific Group, which wants more seats.

New Draft Text On Mandate For WIPO Committee On Genetic Resources, TK

Delegates rushing against time to find agreement on the next mandate of the Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore (IGC) are considering a third draft decision, issued this morning.

WIPO Lisbon System: Fee Schedule, Common Regulations, Contributions To Quell Deficit

In a quest to address the projected deficit of a World Intellectual Property Organization treaty protecting geographical indications, treaty members have been gathering funds to try to eliminate the deficit. Separately last week, the treaty union annual assembly approved a fee schedule and regulations applying both to the treaty and its 2015 Act.

WIPO Assembly Snapshot: Decisions Adopted; Budget, Traditional Knowledge, Designs Still On Table

With three days remaining at the annual World Intellectual Property Organization General Assembly, delegates are still seeking agreement on the 2018/2019 budget, the mandate of the committee on the protection of genetic resources and traditional knowledge, and an update to the international treaty on design law. A number of decisions have however been approved, as WIPO committees reported on their activities.

Asia Pacific Countries Challenge Composition Of Key WIPO Committees

The World Intellectual Property Organization Program and Budget Committee is arguably the most powerful committee of the United Nations agency, and is open to a limited number of countries. This year, the countries sitting on the committee have to be renewed, and the Asia and Pacific Group is challenging the way countries are chosen, and their numbers because of under-representation of some regions.

New US/Japan Proposal On Mandate For WIPO Traditional Knowledge Committee

The United States and Japan have submitted a joint proposal for the next mandate of the World Intellectual Property Organization committee on the protection of genetic resources and traditional knowledge, whose mandate must be decided this week. The new proposal comes on top of proposals from the African Group and the European Union. If there is a large consensus saying the committee should continue its work, the objectives of the committee and the way to achieve them differ widely.