Category Enforcement

IPR Lists For Trans-Atlantic Trade Deal Still Growing; Risk Of Locking In Old IPR Regimes?

Locking in Europe and the United States to “old” intellectual property regimes is the one “killer argument” against including an IP chapter in the upcoming Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), according to Bernd Hugenholtz, director of the Institute for Information Law (IViR) at the University of Brussels. Hugenholtz spoke at a workshop on “What Role for Intellectual Property Rights in the TTIP?,” organised by Marietje Schaake, member of the European Parliament for the Liberal Group. Questions also were raised during the meeting about the lack of transparency of free trade negotiations.

LDC Request For Waiver Of IP Obligations Meets Conditions From Developed Countries

The request by least developed countries (LDCs) to push back the date on which they would have to enforce intellectual property rules under the World Trade Organization is the subject of informal consultations between delegations, as the deadline is fast approaching. Particularly at stake is the time period of the extension, which developed countries would prefer to be limited. Meanwhile, well over 100 academics have voiced support for the LDCs’ request.

Infojustice.org: US, EU Demand TRIPS-Plus Concessions From Poorest Countries

Sangeeta Shashikant writes: "Developed countries, particularly the United States and the European Union, have offered a poor and impractical deal of an incredibly short extension of 5 years with restrictive conditions to least developed countries that are entitled to be exempted from implementing the WTO TRIPS Agreement. Particularly problematic is their demand that the LDCs agree to a 'no-roll-back' clause, a TRIPS plus condition that will prevent LDCs from rolling back (i.e. providing a reduced degree of IP protection) their current laws, even if they adversely impact their development concerns."

GIs Closer To International Status As WIPO Committee Recommends Treaty Negotiation

Geographical indications might rise to the same status as appellations of origin in a World Intellectual Property Organization treaty, which member states are seeking to amend in order to attract wider membership. After a week of negotiations on a draft revised treaty, member states have decided to recommend the convening of a high-level negotiating meeting in 2015 to approve the revision of the current instrument.

Shippers Becoming Anti-Counterfeiting Target; Europe Takes Other Measures

Istanbul - Counterfeiters are using legitimate supply chains, and shipping companies are unknowingly allowing it and need to take steps to crack down, rights holders’ representatives said at a recent anti-counterfeiting conference. Meanwhile, Europe is undertaking a study of the benefits of IP-intensive industries, and new customs and protection measures.

GIs Rub Against Trademark Protection In WIPO Discussions On Protection

Cognac, porto and tequila are appellations of origin protected under an international agreement managed by the World Intellectual Property Organization. Members of this agreement are seeking to modify it so it attracts a wider membership, in particular by including geographical indications. The exercise, however, is a complicated one as the new agreement has to be in tune with other international agreements, notably the World Trade Organization agreement on intellectual property.