Category Venues

Balance Achieved In Future Work For WIPO Patent Law Committee, Delegates Say

The last World Intellectual Property Organization committee before the summer break ended on a happy note this week. After some time spent tweaking the future work of the WIPO committee on the law of patents, delegates appeared satisfied with the balance achieved. The week saw plans for conferences, numerous new proposals and calls for reports, on subjects such as research exceptions, patents and medicines access, compulsory licensing, technology transfer, and patent quality.

Deadline Looms For Comments On New Clauses In South African Copyright Amendment Bill

South Africa’s Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry in Parliament has published a list of select clauses of the Copyright Amendment Bill for public comment. The deadline for comments is 18 July.

Linda Daniels
July 13, 2018
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Regulating The Internet And Emerging Technology: The Path Ahead

Regulators meeting at the UN International Telecommunication Union this week were attempting to advance guiding principles for the regulation of 5G spectrum, artificial intelligence, internet connectivity and cyber security.

Adithi Koushik
July 12, 2018

UN Launches High-Level Panel On Digital Cooperation, Led By Melinda Gates And Jack Ma

The United Nations today announced it has launched a high-level panel on digital cooperation, co-chaired by Melinda Gates (wife of Bill Gates of software titan Microsoft), and Jack Ma, head of China's e-commerce titan Alibaba Group. The 20-member panel will "identify policy, research and information gaps, and make proposals to strengthen international cooperation in the digital space," according to a release.

William New
July 12, 2018

Interpol Leads Widespread Operation Against Counterfeit Goods

The international police agency Interpol today announced that it coordinated a massive sweep of arrests and seizures of tons of fake goods across four continents in recent months.

William New
July 12, 2018

Trading Partners Led By US, EU, Take China To Task In WTO Forum Over Weak Protection Of IP Rights

Major trading powers led by the United States and European Union took China to task in a World Trade Organization forum today (11 July) over the county's weak intellectual property rights regime.

Global Innovation Index 2018: China Breaks Into Top 20, US Drops Out Of Top 5

NEW YORK -- The 11th edition of the Global Innovation Index 2018 (GII), co-published by Cornell University, INSEAD, and the World Intellectual Property Organization, was released yesterday at a launch event in New York. This year's report showed Switzerland still at the top overall, China continuing to rise, the United States slipping, and explored how countries can vary on inputs and outputs of innovation.

Study Reconsiders “Public Domain” In The Protection Of Traditional Knowledge

A recent study has revisited the meaning of “public domain” in line with its usage in discussions on protection of traditional knowledge (TK). The study highlights that it provides a non-Eurocentric conception of “public domain” in order to recognise the customary laws and practices of indigenous and local communities (ILCs).

Monopolies: State And Corporate Interests Surrounding Access To Medicines

Amongst the many issues faced by developing countries to ensure access to medicines, cost is a primary one. Proposals to tackle it include limiting the price and regulating competitive conditions. Monopolies created by patents are seen by many as an impediment to accessing basic healthcare. Meanwhile, countries have realised that imposing stringent criteria for granting patents and taking a long duration to process them could be detrimental to them as much as resisting the regime.

Adithi Koushik
July 10, 2018

WIPO Publishes Guide To Tackling Issues In Access & Benefit-Sharing Agreements

The World Intellectual Property Organization has published a guide to access and benefit-sharing agreements for use of genetic resources.

Adithi Koushik
July 9, 2018

UN Urged To Emphasize Health Over Profit At Upcoming UN High-Level Meeting On NCDs

An open letter sent by 242 organisations and individuals to key United Nations and World Health Organization representatives on 4 July demanded that high prices limiting access to medicines and effective treatment be addressed at the upcoming UN High-Level Meeting on Non-Communicable Diseases.

European Parliament Rejects Starting Negotiations On Copyright Reform Proposal

The European Parliament today opposed plans to launch immediate “trilogue” negotiations with the Council and European Commission on copyright reform legislation, instead sending the controversial measure to full debate at the next plenary session of Parliament.