Category Innovation/ R&D

Does Introduction Of A Utility Model Protection Regime Make Sense In India?

India has at least seven diverse intellectual property (IP) legislations related to protection already in place. Its focus should therefore arguably be directed - along the lines of many other IP jurisdictions - on more stringent enforcement modus operandi of the IP rights. Is there scope for introducing yet another IP legislation – the utility model protection law - in the Indian IP landscape and if so, what should be its scope and implication, asks Swarup Kumar.

Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement: Did US Move Threaten Public Health?

Civil society groups say a leaked document from regional free trade negotiations between countries bordering the Pacific Ocean shows the United States favouring giant pharmaceutical companies at the expense of public health. Separately, the tobacco industry is allegedly also trying to push for a clause to prevent plain packaging.

Medicines Patent Pool Boosts HIV Drug Prospects With First Licence

The Medicines Patent Pool and pharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences today announced a breakthrough licence agreement to allow for the production of key HIV medicines at lower cost and in an easier-to-use formulation, making them more accessible to developing countries. The agreement also opens up the use of treatments for Hepatitis B for the first time.

William New
July 12, 2011
4 Comments

WIPO Ventures Into Global Debate On Climate Change

The World Intellectual Property Organization is continuing its push to become involved in some of the biggest policy questions of the day with an international conference on climate change next week. This follows recent efforts on public health and food security.

Catherine Saez
July 8, 2011

UN Body Addresses Problems With IP Rights Within Europe

The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) is holding a two-day meeting to increase awareness of intellectual property rights throughout the region.

William New
July 8, 2011
3 Comments

Non-Communicable Diseases Issue Energises Public Health Policymakers

Concern over non-communicable diseases - traditionally a more developed-country set of problems like diabetes - is energising the international public health policy community. But representatives of the public interest are still grappling with their response.

William New
July 7, 2011

CERN Issues Open Hardware Licence For Electronic Designs

The European Organisaton for Nuclear Research (CERN) today issued an open hardware licence for electronic designs, following its principle of “open science.”

UNAIDS Praises India’s Vow Not To Negotiate Away Generics

The joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) today praised the commitment made by India's Commerce Minister not to negotiate stronger intellectual property rights provisions that could undermine India's global leadership in the production of affordable generic AIDS drugs.

William New
July 6, 2011

WHO Expert Group Sifts Ideas For A New Global Drug R&D Mechanism

A diverse team of global experts on public health research and development will meet this week behind closed doors to analyse proposals for ways to fund R&D on diseases afflicting poor populations – and for who should coordinate such global efforts.

William New
July 5, 2011
1 Comment

OECD Faces Concerns Over Its Internet Policy Principles

A high-level meeting of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) is expected to pass a set of "principles on internet policymaking" tomorrow. But over 80 non-governmental groups have announced they will not sign on to the communiqué.

WIPO Seminar: IP Is Spearhead Of Agricultural Innovation, Solution To Food Shortage

The World Intellectual Property Organization recently stepped into the agriculture field with its first seminar on the use of intellectual property to increase productivity. In the seminar, proponents of IP rights defended the value of protection and the necessity of relying on technology to answer the needs of an inflated world population.

WIPO Committee Sees Breakthrough On Audiovisual Treaty After 11-Year Delay

An international treaty on the protection of audiovisual performances might be back on track after a hiatus of over 10 years, as World Intellectual Property Organization delegates today reached an agreement on a text and will propose to the WIPO General Assembly to convene a high-level negotiation. A major step was also taken in the direction of a possible treaty on copyright limitations and exceptions for blind and visually impaired people, according to all sides, although some countries are still in favour of a softer instrument.