Original news and analysis on international IP policy
Hong Kong–Countries pushing for the launch of negotiations on the protection of biodiversity and traditional knowledge have been engaged in tough talks at the World Trade Organization ministerial in Hong Kong today. The countries, led by India and Brazil, are…
A United States law firm representing public health groups filed suit against the US government on 14 December for a failure to be consulted by industry-heavy government advisory groups on trade policy. The case was filed in US District Court…
Hong Kong – At the World Trade Organization ministerial here, India has proposed the launch of negotiations on the disclosure of origin of material in patent applications, and says that if this issue is not addressed, there will be no…
By Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch The Digital Video Broadcasting Project (DVB), a Geneva-based body working on international digital television standards, is seeking to reach agreement by mid-2006 on standards for the management of digital content in the broadcasting…
Hong Kong–China’s recent decision to implement World Trade Organization rules making it easier for poor countries to import cheaper medicines was discussed at a non-governmental organisation meeting at the Hong Kong ministerial today, as questions swirled around the recent decision…
Hong Kong — The sixth World Trade Organization ministerial officially opened in Hong Kong today and although intellectual property issues have not surfaced on the formal agenda so far, they were discussed in some of the many side events taking…
By Martin Vaughan for Intellectual Property Watch Washington, DC-In a bilateral free-trade agreement struck this week with Peru, the United States for the first time agreed to language relating to traditional knowledge, according to a Peruvian government source. The language,…
Por Monika Ermert para Intellectual Property Watch La segunda fase de la Cumbre Mundial de la Sociedad de la Información (CMSI) de las Naciones Unidas, evento que se prolongó durante cinco años, se desarrolló en Túnez. Durante la sesión de…
By Martin Vaughan for Intellectual Property Watch Washington, DC–An agreement by Peru to accept United States demands on protecting intellectual property rights, including protections for pharmaceutical test data found in other US free trade agreements, paved the way for a…
The new draft declaration for the World Trade Organization ministerial meeting in Hong Kong next week has been updated to reflect the 6 December decision to amend international intellectual property trade law for public health reasons. WTO members amended the…
An amendment to a World Trade Organization agreement for public health purposes was harshly criticised by non-governmental organisations and greeted with caution by the pharmaceutical industry. NGOs said the access-to-medicines deal that was reached by WTO members on 6 December…
The World Trade Organization today adopted a permanent amendment to international trade law that will make it easier for poor countries exposed to health emergencies to import cheaper generic versions of patented medicines if they are not able to produce…