UNITAID-Backed Patent Pool Final; Drug Licence Talks Can Begin
The final step in the establishment of a patent pool under international drug-purchasing mechanism UNITAID was taken today, the UN body announced.
Intellectual Property Watch
Original news and analysis on international IP policy
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WHO’s Chan Responds To Allegations Of Misconduct On Flu Pandemic
"At no time, not for one second, did commercial interests enter my decision-making," Director General Margaret Chan of the World Health Organization declaration in a letter today defending the organisation's increasingly scrutinised response to an outbreak of H1N1, or 'swine flu.'
New Rwanda IP Policy Taps Information For Development
"Information is the lifeblood of development," says the government of Rwanda in a recently-adopted intellectual property policy, part of the country’s comprehensive development strategy. The new policy attempts to integrate Rwanda into the international IP system while simultaneously safeguarding the freedom it needs to drive its own innovation system.
Public Gets A Taste Of WIPO, Policy Debate On IP And Environment
Dressed in casual weekend attire with white and blue “WIPO Staff” t-shirts, World Intellectual Property Organization personnel on 5 June gave explanations and guidance on intellectual property rights to the public, while a blimp-shaped balloon advertised the event outside the building. The WIPO lobby was turned into an intellectual property fair with stands displaying the range of WIPO’s services, and a much-appreciated wine tasting.
Possible WHO-Industry Conflict Of Interest On Pandemic Flu Under Investigation
Global health authorities have been guilty of "grave shortcomings" in transparency and accountability to the public good in their handling of the pandemic influenza outbreak says a new draft resolution from the intergovernmental Council of Europe. A related investigative report from the British Medical Journal found evidence of "declarable financial conflicts of interests" among the experts advising the World Health Organization. But WHO denies any wrongdoing.
Google May Face New Scrutiny For Privacy Violations In Switzerland
Legally speaking, there is "little doubt" that Google's collection of WiFi data by its roving Street View vehicles violates the Swiss Data Protection Act, and the company is likely to come under new scrutiny in Switzerland possibly even resulting in "severe financial consequences," a respected Swiss law firm has said.
China, India To Raise Concerns At WTO About “TRIPS-Plus” Measures, ACTA
China and India, two increasingly potent players on the global economic stage, next week plan to voice concerns at the World Trade Organization about efforts by developed countries to push poorer trading partners beyond their WTO commitments on trade and intellectual property rights, so-called TRIPS-plus measures.
As WTO Reviews China, EU, US Criticise Its Policy On Innovation, IP Rights
In the past two years, China has acted to improve the protection of intellectual property rights with a need for continuing effort, a World Trade Organization report has found, but the country came under criticism this week from key trading partners such as the United States and the European Union for not providing adequate enforcement and for self-serving innovation practices.
WIPO To Open Its Doors To Public For First Time Ever
The World Intellectual Property Organization is opening its doors to the public on Saturday for a glimpse at the organisation’s activities, during its first-ever “open day.”
US, China Weaving Closer Trade and IP Cooperation; Focus On Innovation
The United States and China are strengthening their relationship on innovation and intellectual property rights as the global economy is slowly taking an upward turn. Those may come as signs of positive collaboration on the delicate issue of IP rights in the face of ongoing questions by US industry and government about the impact of China’s IP rights infringement on American jobs.
Special Report: The Potential Consequences of Google’s Electronic Book Initiative
Google's ambitious plans to make published books available for download on most internet-connected electronic devices by leveraging its position as the world's largest search engine could have far-reaching repercussions on electronic publishing and book file-sharing in the near future.
Drug Access Waiver Debate Looms For June TRIPS Council Meeting
Following weeks of consultations, World Trade Organization members are set next week to discuss a proposal to review a little-used amendment of WTO intellectual property rules aimed at boosting availability of affordable medicines in developing countries.