Category Enforcement

At IGF, Glimpses Of Future IP Governance Overshadowed By Mass Surveillance

Away from traditional free trade agreement negotiations with secret chapters on stricter intellectual property protection, perceptions are slowly evolving about the need to make IP systems work better. One of 100+ sessions at the 8th United Nations Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Bali, Indonesia last week featured “intellectual property exchanges” as marketplaces for knowledge. But IP policy did not take centre stage and neither did other access topics in Bali, which instead was overshadowed by the recent revelations of mass surveillance by US intelligence services.

Antigua Creating Platform To Monetise Suspended US IP Rights From WTO Case

The government of Antigua and Barbuda is said to be taking steps to set up a platform to allow the tiny Caribbean nation to monetise or otherwise take advantage of the suspension of US intellectual property rights, as it is permitted to do by a World Trade Organization dispute panel. The WTO panel had ruled that Antigua could make up its loss in IP rights for US measures blocking Antiguan online gambling in the US.

IP Scores High In Sports – Supports Amateurs, Olympics, Development, Speakers Say

Alongside last week’s meeting of the World Trade Organization intellectual property committee, the United States, European Union and Jamaica organised an event on the relevance of intellectual property in sports. Speakers from professional organisations such as the International Olympic Committee, the Association of European Professional Football Leagues, and the Nike company were invited to share their experience in the matter.

WTO: Tobacco Plain-Packaging Battle Flares Up; Sports And IP Issues Take The Field

The World Trade Organization intellectual property committee last week agreed on a draft decision on disputes that are not in direct violation of WTO IP rules but where one country’s measures negatively affect another country’s expected benefits. Plain packaging for tobacco products was also discussed as Ireland is preparing to introduce such a measure meant to discourage tobacco use, and some countries presented their views on the importance of IP rights in sports.

USTR Support Of USITC Ban On Samsung Imports Contrasts With Earlier Position

The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) yesterday approved the US International Trade Commission’s ban on imports of certain electronics from Samsung, based in part on the fact that the patents in the case do not involve standard essential patents (SEPs). By contrast, concern over SEPs was a big reason for the recent White House decision to overturn a USITC finding that Apple had violated Samsung’s patents.

IP Law Europe Summit To Address Patent Policy, Secrecy, Know-How, M&As, Brands Online

IP Law Summit
November 17-19, 2013| Grande Real Villa Itália| Cascais, Lisbon, Portugal

The IP Law Europe Summit is the premium forum bringing together leading in-house IP counsel with specialist international law firms, IP attorneys and legal services providers. As an invitation-only event taking place behind closed doors, the summit offers regional IP executives an intimate environment for a focused discussion of key new drivers shaping the IP industry.

Distinguished speakers include:

Tommi Lehtinen, Head of IPR, Product Differentiation Portfolio, Nokia Siemens Networks
Peter Schøtt Knudsen, VP, Global Head of Legal & IPR, ECCO
Cheree Johnson, Chief Innovation Counsel, HJ Heinz
Jean Luc Chalhoub, GC, New Business & Strategic Partnerships, Orange
Jan Strzebniok, VP & GC, EMEAI, Honeywell Aerospace
Vincent Pickering, CLO & Secretary, WABCO
Mark Lágler, GC, Supply Chain and Global Services, Unilever

Key issues for 2013 include:

Ahead of the Game – Keeping pace with the latest developments in patent legislation in the EU and US
Dynamic Exchange – Leveraging know-how and technology transfer to stimulate cost-efficient innovation
Positive-Sum Game – Informing the M&A strategy to unlock valuable transactions
Secrecy Status – Exploring trade secrets protection to keep expenditure under control and defend IP in fast-moving markets
A Taxing Issue – Orchestrating IP and R&D activities to reap the benefits of favourable tax regimes
Designing Value – Shielding design and packaging elements to boost brand recognition
Diversity Powerhouse – Mastering the art of orchestrating diversity to excel as a team
Social Media Palooza – Riding the digital wave while guarding your brand and reputation

To gain a view of the event brochure, click here: http://www.marcusevans-conferences-northamerican.com/IPLawEU_eaag_IPW

For speaking, sponsoring or attending, please contact Laurel Zevitz at +1 312-540-3000 ext 6683 or email l.zevitz@marcusevansch.com

Plurilateral Agreement On Geographical Indications On Its Way At WIPO

Last week, WIPO members that are parties to a special agreement on the protection of appellations of origin agreed to convene a diplomatic conference in 2015 to adopt a revision of the 1958 Lisbon Agreement. The revised treaty would extend to all geographical indications the protection already granted to appellations of origin. The decision to convene a diplomatic conference, however, stirred up controversy with a number of WIPO members that are not parties to the treaty.