EU-Funded Platform Connects SMEs, Researchers On Green Tech
A European Union-funded initiative is seeking to strengthen the links between small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the research community on environmental technologies.
Intellectual Property Watch
Original news and analysis on international IP policy
Category Innovation/ R&D
Report: Switzerland Again World’s Most Innovative; North-South Innovation Divide Remains
Is Europe the most innovative region in the world? In a well-regarded report, Switzerland has again been deemed the world’s most innovative nation, followed by the United Kingdom, Sweden, Finland and the Netherlands. But the annual Global Innovation Index also shows a persistent innovation divide between developed and developing countries, and this year focuses on the human factor in innovation.
EU Commissioner Hails Open Knowledge, Urges Copyright Reform
Neelie Kroes, vice-president of the European Commission responsible for the Digital Agenda, today hailed open knowledge in government, science, the internet, and education, and called again for "urgent reform" of copyright.
360 Applicants Bid For Top WIPO Posts; Selection Process Underway
The World Intellectual Property Organization is currently engaged in an unprecedented process for the selection of the new top management team to serve under recently re-elected Director General Francis Gurry. The open call for applicants resulted in some 360 applications from around the world, including from the upper echelons of WIPO itself, according to sources.
More Liability For Internet Intermediaries Could Raise Information Control, Panellists Say
At the recent University of Geneva summer course on internet law, one panel addressed challenges and strategies for internet intermediaries facing an increased burden of intellectual property rights protection online.
Seed Treaty Celebrates Ten Year Anniversary; Focus On Funding, Collaborations
The International Seed Treaty held a celebratory high-level event recently to mark the tenth anniversary of its entry into force.
1 Billion Euro First Call For Projects Under EU-Industry Innovation Partnerships
The European Commission today launched the first call for projects of the EU Innovation Investment Package agreed last year. The investment package comprises seven public-private partnerships and four public-public partnerships, for a total investment of more than €22 billion euros.
WTO Members Open Negotiations On Green Goods Trade Agreement
Members of the World Trade Organization today opened negotiations on the liberalisation of environmental technologies or "green goods."
WIPO Copyright Committee In Disarray Again; Development Dimension Questioned
For the second time this year, the World Intellectual Property Organization copyright committee could not agree on the conclusions of its session or on any recommendation to be made to the September General Assembly on the protection of broadcasting organisations or the establishment of an international regime of exception and limitations for libraries and education.
Librarians Concerned Digital Content Licences Overriding Exceptions, Limitations
While exceptions and limitations for librarians and archives are under negotiation at the World Intellectual Property Organization this week, librarians and archivists called on WIPO delegates to address an issue of contract licences for digital content, which they say often override such exceptions and limitations.
EU Works On Strategic Agenda For The Pharma Sector
The European Commission has issued a working document in which they identify policy areas to support the long-term sustainability of the pharmaceutical sector.
WIPO Copyright Committee: New Broadcasting Treaty Texts Show Narrowing Of Scope
After a day of informal discussions on a proposed treaty on protecting broadcasters’ intellectual property rights, the World Intellectual Property Organization copyright committee yesterday issued two informal discussion papers showing a narrowing of the issues to be addressed. In particular, webcasting has been cast aside in the discussions for the moment.