Microsoft Grant To UN: Tech For Human Rights
A five-year partnership between the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and Microsoft was announced today.
Intellectual Property Watch
Original news and analysis on international IP policy
Category Finance
Longest, Biggest World Health Assembly Ever Set To Open With Election, Budget Topping Agenda
The 70th World Health Assembly opening in a few days is the WHA of superlatives, according to a World Health Organization’s official. It is the longest assembly ever, with nine days of meeting, the largest number delegates, of agenda items, and of documents. It is also when the new WHO new director general will be elected, and when the WHO next budget is expected to be approved.
WHO, Stakeholders Take ‘First Step’ On Fair Pricing For Medicines
The World Health Organization has concluded a major one-day forum on fair pricing of medicines, bringing a wide range of stakeholders together in Amsterdam and coming up with several possible actions for the way ahead. Key points of discussion included a definition of fair pricing, moving away from value-based pricing, delinkage of price from research and development costs, and greater transparency, according to participants.
Growing Music Streaming Industry Leaves Performers By The Wayside, Speakers Say
There is growing worry and resentment among music performers around the world about the low level of their remuneration and the fact that they are mostly missing their share of the internet music streaming pie, according to speakers at an event held at the World Intellectual Property Organization this week. Performers need a change in international rules, in particular a right to remuneration, they said.
Polish Government Drafts New Authors’ Rights Collective Management Law
WARSAW – Poland’s Ministry of Culture and National Heritage is drafting a new law on collective rights management which is to implement the relevant European Union legislation into Polish law. However, a think tank with close ties to the government has released a report that points to the relatively high operational costs of the authors’ and creators’ organisations, and could pave the way for further modifications to the system.
US Government Intends To Grant Exclusive Licence On Zika Patent Over Objection Of Civil Society
The United States Department of Defense has announced that it intends to grant Sanofi Pasteur, a French pharmaceutical corporation, exclusive rights to develop a vaccine for the Zika virus. The decision follows outcry from the public and civil society groups over concerns of affordability and accessibility in taking such a step.
Licence For A New Hepatitis Treatment, With An Eye To Affordability
The Medicines Patent Pool has received a licence to develop ravidasvir, a new treatment for hepatitis C.
Tech, Auto Companies Urge US Action On Standard Essential Patents
A group of 15 US and foreign tech and automobile companies and organisations has sent a letter to the White House asking for support to reduce what they see as rising anti-competitive licensing practices involving standards essential patents (SEPs).
Departure Of YouTube From Russia Could Result In Growth Of Pirated Content, Government Warns
The use of pirated content in Russia may significantly increase in the event of a decision by leading foreign video-sharing websites and servers to leave the country due to the planned imposition of restrictions on their ownership by foreigners, which is currently being considered by the Russian government and the local Parliament (State Duma).
Neglected Tropical Diseases: Gates Celebrates Industry Contribution, Chan Concurs
Five years after health institutions and actors including pharmaceutical companies endorsed the London Declaration on Neglected Tropical Diseases, meant to support the World Health Organization to control and eradicate 10 specific diseases by 2020, new commitments were announced today (18 April) in Geneva.