Category Lobbying

People: New Lead For US Global IP Policy; KEI Lawyer To MSF; Copyright Kings In Washington

An American industry representative with European ties has been named to take over the role of coordinating and communicating US international policy on patents and trademarks. Meanwhile, a key civil society lawyer became US manager of Doctors without Borders Access to Medicines campaign in the United States. And a music industry lawyer central to several landmark copyright cases has been nominated to be the next solicitor general. Catch these and the new faces at the trade associations and law firms in the latest edition of the IP-Watch People Column.

Are European Think Tanks Corporate Lobbyists By Another Name?

Think tanks can be a godsend for reporters with a looming deadline. Almost invariably, they are staffed with articulate policy specialists, adept at summarising complex issues in a few quotable sentences. Frequently, too, the think tanks have neutral-sounding names, so a reader or viewer of news reports can easily believe that they are independent of vested interests.

Closer inspection reveals that many of these “independent” bodies are in fact heavily reliant on corporate donations. This is especially the case for a number of think tanks working on intellectual property.

WHO R&D Financing Committee Approved With Controversial Industry Expert

World Health Organization members yesterday struck a compromise allowing a Swiss industry representative to sit on a committee selecting proposals for research and developing financing for neglected diseases, disregarding the fact that he is author of one of the proposals. Special safeguards were added to prevent undue influence, but questions remain for some about a conflict of interest.

Patent Reform, Piracy, Generic Drug Issues Likely For US Congress This Year

Although attempts to repeal last year’s healthcare reform bill and efforts to get the deficit under control may take up much of the United States Congress’ time this year, lawmakers are expected to tackle a number of intellectual property-related priorities lawmakers, including patent reform, internet neutrality, and enforcement during the new 112th session.

Special Report: Music Industry’s Lavish Lobby Campaign For Digital Rights

The music industry has spent tens of millions of dollars to lobby government officials worldwide during the past decade, but whether or not the initiative has helped to shape a viable legal and commercial framework is a subject of debate.

Top IP-Watch Stories Of 2010: Copyright Fights, ACTA, Medicines Access

At Intellectual Property Watch, a list of the top 25 posts of 2010 reveals your - our readers’ - top interests and tells the tale of the past year. It also is a reminder that quality reporting needs support. Please subscribe to IP-Watch via our website, or contact the director at wnew@ip-watch.ch.

Both Sides Of US Copyright Wars Reloading For 2011

Two sides of the ongoing struggle to balance stronger copyright protection and access to knowledge in the United States are re-arming themselves for battle in 2011. By the looks of it, it could be a litigious New Year.

Panellists: Copyright Law’s ‘Byzantine Maze’ Stalling New Business Models

While piracy remains an oft-cited problem for the creative content industry, it is the 'Byzantine maze' of copyright law that is stalling monetisation of new business models better designed to deliver content in the digital age, panellists at the World Intellectual Property Organization said last week.

US FDA’s Tough Road Ahead In Creating Pathway For Life-Saving Biologics

The US Food and Drug Administration heard from myriad pharmaceutical companies, patient groups, and other stakeholders last week as the agency considers how to create an abbreviated pathway to bring more biologic drugs to market.