Paediatric Cancer Drug Being Developed Entirely In The Open
The term “Open” in science is all the rage these days.
Intellectual Property Watch
Original news and analysis on international IP policy
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WIPO Assembly Adopts Revisions For Stronger Oversight, Protection Of Whistleblowers
After much negotiation, amendments to a World Intellectual Property Organization internal oversight mechanism were adopted today by the annual WIPO General Assembly. Under the amendments, investigating allegations of wrongdoing of high-ranking WIPO officials will be made more transparent and facilitate access to documents by WIPO member states in case of an investigation.
EPO Staff Seek WIPO-Style Disciplinary Guidelines As Reports Show High Levels Of Discontent
With management-staff relations at the European Patent Office still spiralling downward, staff members are pressing the office's governing council to consider adopting proposed disciplinary and investigation guidelines currently under discussion in the World Intellectual Property Organization.
Which “Brazil” Will Chair The Marrakesh Treaty Assembly?
The supposedly impossible happened: The Marrakesh Treaty entered into force on 30 September, three months after reaching the necessary minimum of 20 ratifications. By then, 22 countries had done so – two more did so during the Marrakesh Assembly.
Interview With Brazilian Culture Minister Marcelo Calero
At last week's first-ever Assembly of the Marrakesh Treaty, Intellectual Property Watch caught up with the Assembly Chair, new Brazilian Culture Minister Marcelo Calero. He talked briefly about the importance of libraries and of implementing the Marrakesh Treaty.
WIPO Assembly: IP-Watch Tally Of Finished And Pending Items
As the 2016 World Intellectual Property Organization General Assemblies near their close on 11 October, Intellectual Property Watch provides an update on what’s been agreed and what’s still outstanding among the key issues.
Online Brand Protection In One Convenient Step
Managing a brand and trademark portfolio is a demanding undertaking that can require expert precision to prevent unsavory characters and companies from stealing intellectual property. Tools are needed to help companies better manage their IP assets in a more expedient and comprehensive fashion, writes Mason Cole of Donuts.
Members Still Debating Changes To Oversight At WIPO
Stung by what some saw as a botched process for handling allegations from senior officials about the head of the World Intellectual Property Organization, WIPO members are working this week to agree on changes to procedures. A new draft text circulated this morning introduces additional responsibility for governments in the process, and is under discussion today. At press time, ambassadors from the African Group were meeting and asked to hold up the process until internal agreement could be reached on the text. The plenary is scheduled to reconvene at four o'clock today.
WIPO Workshop: African States Are Themselves To Blame, Should Compile, Publicize IP Statistics
Each year, the World Intellectual Property Organization Economic and Statistics Division sends out questionnaires, which intellectual property offices worldwide are expected to complete and return.
Gurry Off The Hook, Investigation Ends, WIPO Says
The member governments of the UN World Intellectual Property Organization, after considering a confidential UN investigation report on whistleblower charges against WIPO Director General Francis Gurry, have decided to end the case without discipline, WIPO has said. Instead, members are working to bolster whistleblower protections, internal oversight and procurement procedures at the agency for the future.
WIPO Members Work To Toughen Up Procedures For Investigations Of High-Level Officials
Member governments of the UN World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) are working intensively in a closed-door session today to make changes to the way allegations of wrongdoing against high-ranking WIPO officials are handled. What is not clear from the secretive discussions is whether any action will be taken against the director general as a result of a UN investigation of his activities, for which the UN report is on the meeting agenda.
New MedsPaL Database: Enhancing Transparency In The Patent Field
A new database was launched this week to facilitate navigation through the patent field and increase transparency surrounding the patent status of medicines and licences.