Category Lobbying

Survey Finds Promising Future, Major Challenges For Augmented And Virtual Reality

Optimism is said to exist about the future of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) following a survey completed by over 650 respondents in the industry. Though growth and investment are anticipated, concerns about a lack of compelling content and cost and issues with the user experience were among the survey’s key findings. Legal risks were identified as well, with the highest percentage relating to technology and intellectual property licensing.

Alexandra Nightingale
September 13, 2016

US Copyright Office Charged With Industry Bias

The United States Copyright Office systematically hires officials from the copyright industries it serves and oversees, while excluding experts with other views, a public interest group has charged. Image Credits: US Copyright Office

William New
September 8, 2016
1 Comment

Updated List Of Geneva Delegates Responsible For IP

There are many, many committees, councils, panels, meetings, receptions, conferences, assemblies - not to mention countless private lunches, coffees and other contacts - during the year in Geneva that address policy issues related to intellectual property, innovation, research & development and the like. Intellectual Property Watch provides an indispensable, up-to-date list of who you need to talk to when you want to get the message across or follow the action.

Intellectual Property Watch
July 29, 2016

Summer Changes Make A Splash In The IP Community

Over the summer months, people in the intellectual property world continue to circulate. UNITAID has changed heads, and other well-known figures in Geneva set off to new horizons. And no rest it seems for law offices, which maintained their usual level of moves between firms. Here is the latest on People in the IP community.

Catherine Saez, Alexandra Nightingale and Catherine Saez, Alexandra Nightingale
July 28, 2016

Libraries, Groups Welcome WIPO Copyright Appointment, With Hope

A range of highly active groups at the World Intellectual Property Organization representing libraries, archives, and digital civil liberties this week welcomed the appointment of a copyright industry lobbyist to lead WIPO copyright issues. But they have voiced their hope that the appointee, Sylvie Forbin of France, will quickly show leadership on the promotion and support of the cultural heritage sector as it relates to copyright.

William New
July 28, 2016
1 Comment

Many Hepatitis C Patients Do Not Have Access To Medicines In India, Group Says

Despite being the global leader of generic drug manufacturing, access to hepatitis C treatment in India remains out of reach for a large portion of the population, a civil society group has said in a new paper. The authors call for India to work on a national programme of prevention and treatment of hepatitis, and warn against voluntary licences developed by multinational pharmaceutical companies.

Catherine Saez
July 27, 2016

Infojustice: NGO And Academics Letter To US Secretary Of State On Access To Medicines

From Infojustice.org: Letter from 56 Non-profit Organizations and Academic Experts to Secretary Kerry Regarding State Department Pressure Against Access to Medicines Efforts

MSF International Access Campaign Recruiting Executive Director Of Access Campaign

The Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) International Access Campaign is recruiting an Executive Director (ED) of the Access Campaign.

Intellectual Property Watch
July 25, 2016

The “Denial Playbook”: An Original Product Of The Oil Industry

New documents reveal that the oil and tobacco industries took pages from the same book to engineer their decade long campaigns on denying the existence of climate change and smoking-related cancer. The playbook also appears to have originated not with tobacco, but with the oil industry itself, and the two even appeared to share patents.

Civil Society Calls On India To Backtrack On Policy Threatening Global HIV Response

The International AIDS Society made a statement today at the International AIDS Conference in Durban, South Africa, voicing concerns about India's recent policy which, according to the group, is threatening access to HIV treatment in India and around the world.

Free Trade Agreements Threaten Farmers’ Rights, Food Security, Group Says

Small farmers around the world are threatened by new free trade agreements, a civil society group has argued. Those agreements go beyond the requirements of agreed international intellectual property rules and jeopardise the ability of small farmers to save, produce, and exchange seeds, the group said.

AIDS Conference: Will The UN High-Level Panel Report Deliver R&D And Access To Medicines?

DURBAN, South Africa - The lessons derived from the history of AIDS treatment have become a rallying call for civil society organisations globally. Not being able to afford AIDS medicines should not be repeated for people with other diseases, including HIV co-infections, treatment activists told world leaders here.