Category Venues

Reckoning With The “System Battistelli”

MUNICH -- Considerable quality problems in the examination and processing of patent applications at the European Patent Office (EPO) were deplored by a group of patent attorneys during a visit of the new Chair of the EPO Administrative Board, Christoph Ernst, from the German Ministry of Justice, to the Max Planck Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Research in Munich. Meant as a presentation of Ernst's thoughts on “the future of the European patent system,” the debate developed into a harsh reckoning of the “System Battistelli.”

WIPO General Assembly Wrap: Many Decisions Made, But External Offices, Design Treaty Left Hanging

After an intense 10 days of negotiations, World Intellectual Property Organization delegates this week managed to close all items of the organisation's annual General Assemblies, with major decisions taken, such as the approval of the 2018/2019 budget, and a new mandate and work programme for the committee on the protection of genetic resources and traditional knowledge. However the inability to decide at the ambassador level which countries would host new WIPO field offices, and on the convening of a high-level negotiation to conclude a treaty on industrial designs, led to some teeth grinding.

WIPO: New 2-Year Mandate For Traditional Knowledge Committee; Design Law Treaty Stalls

Late tonight on the last day of the annual World Intellectual Property Organization General Assembly, delegates agreed on a mandate and a work programme of the committee seeking ways to protect genetic resources, traditional knowledge, and folklore from misuse and misappropriation. Meanwhile, no agreement was found on the convening of a high-level negotiating meeting for a new treaty on industrial designs.

WIPO Delegates Agree On Budget For 2 Years; US Still Vigilant On GI Treaty

On the last day of the annual World Intellectual Property Organization General Assembly, delegates today found a way to agree on the issues blocking the adoption of the 2018/2019 budget. In particular delegates found a way to address requests made by the United States on the program and budget, notably on the financing of the WIPO agreement protecting geographical indications.

New Members But No Structural Change In WIPO Program And Budget Committee – For Now

Despite an effort by the Asia and Pacific Group countries to increase their representation, the geographical distribution of membership of the powerful World Intellectual Property Organization Program and Budget Committee remained the same at the completion of discussions at the annual WIPO General Assembly tonight. But WIPO members did agree to begin consideration of the composition of the committee.

TRIPS Council: IP And Innovation, Compulsory Licensing, Questions For EU On Goods In Transit

The intellectual property committee of the World Trade Organization is meeting next week with several notable items on the agenda, including some reviving earlier negotiations. Among topics for discussion on intellectual property and innovation is a focus on inclusive innovation and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. Also, India also submitted a series of questions for the European Union about goods in transit, echoing an earlier WTO dispute. And separately, some countries are holding a workshop on geographical indications and traditional knowledge.

WIPO Members Wrestle With Proposed Delay In Increasing Retirement Age

Among the hot issues at this year's annual World Intellectual Property Organization Assemblies is a proposal by WIPO to delay compliance with a United Nations-wide mandate to raise retirement age from 62 to 65 for those who started employment before 2014, supposed to go into effect on 1 January. WIPO's proposal to wait 3 years to raise the age for those who joined the organisation is intended to open up dozens of posts that can then be filled with workers holding other skills deemed more needed as the global IP system has changed.