Category Biodiversity/Genetic Resources/Biotech

2016: UPOV Works To Improve Breeders’ Applications, Civil Society Calls For Alternative System

The Geneva-based International Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) provides intellectual property rights protection for plant breeders. In 2016, the organisation is planning to work on systems to facilitate breeders’ applications for new varieties. Meanwhile, civil society is calling for ways to protect plant varieties other than through UPOV, which they see as hindering farmers’ rights.

The Year Ahead In Biotechnology And Intellectual Property

The year 2016 promises to be rich in debates on plant patenting, protection of genetic resources and traditional knowledge, and biopharmaceuticals. Here are some key issues and dates to watch for.

FAO Head Says Livestock Diversity Is Crucial For Future Food Security On A Harsher Planet

FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva writes: Our livestock is increasingly being raised indoors and fed on concentrate feed that is often imported. Intensive production of chickens, pigs and dairy cows is based on a few breeds worldwide. These developments are risky, as we and future generations are losing the potential to adapt livestock production systems to increasingly harsh conditions such as those associated with higher temperatures and shortages of nutritious feeds.

WHO To Study Effect Of Nagoya Protocol On Sharing Of Genetic Materials

The implementation of a protocol ensuring access to genetic resources and the fair and equitable benefit-sharing of commercial benefits might affect the sharing of pathogens samples between countries, said the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, who asked the World Health Organization to study possible implications of the protocol’s implementation.

Copyright, Unitary Patent System Lead EU IP Priorities In 2016

Modernisation of EU copyright and intellectual property rights enforcement law tops Europe's agenda in 2016. Trademark reform legislation approved last year takes effect this year, and a preliminary deal on trade secrets protection is expected to be finalised. Work on the unitary patent system continues, and there's an increased focus on the issue of patents versus plant breeders' rights.

Local Rooibos Tea Growers Take Charge In Effort To Gain GI Protection

CAPE TOWN, South Africa -- Small growers of Rooibos tea, in a remote region of South Africa, have taken up the charge in pursuing a geographic indication certification to protect their unique red tea against misuse and imitation. Intellectual Property Watch brings you the local story.

TPP, India Most-Read IP-Watch Stories Of 2015

The most-read stories of 2015 on the Intellectual Property Watch website fairly reflected the trends of the year, with the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement, India’s evolving intellectual property rights policies, European Patent Office patents on conventional vegetables, biologics, 3D printing, and some pop culture issues leading the way.

In the coming weeks, IP-Watch will review in-depth what’s in store for 2016, already underway. But for now, let’s take a look at last year’s highlights.

Speakers At WIPO Diverge On Patents-Access Relationship; Biologics A Challenge For Generics

A seminar on patents and availability of medicines in developing countries yesterday considered whether patents constitute a barrier to access. For the private sector, patents are essential to the innovation system, for others they maintain high prices and should be licensed for easier access. Beyond patents, biologics seem to be taking over the pharmaceutical industry, and the complexity of manufacturing biosimilars might well leave traditional generic manufacturers by the wayside.

Separately, a side event at WIPO looked at IP management strategies in private-public partnerships in agriculture and health technologies.