Category Biodiversity/Genetic Resources/Biotech

WIPO Members Agree New Text On IP And Genetic Resources; Move Talks Forward

World Intellectual Property Organization members negotiating for an instrument to protect against theft of genetic resources last week agreed on a new text with more options on legal terms, effectively moving the talks forward. In this round of talks, the African Group showed signs of moving off its position of revoking patents for violators, while the United States came out strongly against disclosure of origin at the expense of amiable relations with key allies.

Rwanda Releases New Tariff Levels On IP, Signs UPOV 91 Biotech Rules

The government of Rwanda has revised the fees and cost to be paid for the registration of different categories of intellectual property rights. The changes mean lower fees for all types of IP rights, and gives more time to oppose registrations. Rwanda also enacted a law on seeds and plant varieties.

US Blindsides Allies Over Patents And Genetic Resources At WIPO

The United States may have hoped for a different result last week when it alienated allies at the World Intellectual Property Organization by issuing a rash criticism of Switzerland’s policy on patents and genetic resources and threatened to follow with more.

Interview – Indigenous Concern Over Rising Focus On IP In WIPO TK Talks

Indigenous peoples have been the victims of repeated acts of biopiracy while the international community has failed to act to prevent it, indigenous representatives said in an interview this week. The World Intellectual Property Organization has been discussing ways to address that issue for some 16 years, without success. As negotiators continue to seek consensus on what a potential treaty could achieve, indigenous peoples feel the spotlight has drifted from their issues to technical issues of the intellectual property system and highlighted attention on users of the system.

At WIPO, US Plays Hypotheticals With Swiss Law On Disclosure Of Genetic Resources In Patents

With discussions in full swing at the World Intellectual Property Organization on how to protect genetic resources in intellectual property rights, and in particular whether the disclosure of the source of genetic resources should be mandatory in patent applications, the United States has tabled a document hypothetically applying the mandatory disclosure legislation of Switzerland to a US patent.

WIPO Seminar: Experts Discuss IP Protection Of Genetic Resources

Last week, the World Intellectual Property Organization held a seminar on intellectual property and genetic resources. For over a decade, WIPO members have been discussing ways to protect genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge from misappropriation. The seminar allowed speakers from different regions and interests to offer their views on the topic.

WIPO Delegates Seek Convergence On Protection Of Genetic Resources This Week

The protection of genetic resources from misappropriation through patents, for example without the consent of the resource owners, and in particular indigenous communities, or benefit-sharing when commercial benefits arise from the use of those resources is being discussed this week at the World Intellectual Property Organization. Two divergent broad perspectives on how to achieve such protection are hoped to come closer on core issues.

WHA: Pandemic Flu Preparedness Framework Praised; Vaccine Production Still Short

Adopted five years ago, the World Health Organization Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Framework is currently undergoing its first review. Member states gathered in committee at the World Health Assembly yesterday mostly expressed support for the framework, and took note of a report by the WHO secretariat.

At UN Indigenous Forum, WIPO Gives Update On Negotiations

The World Intellectual Property Organization, a United Nations agency, today gave the UN in New York an update of ongoing negotiations for the protection of indigenous knowledge and genetic resources.