Category Asia/Pacific

A Closer Look Into A WIPO Regional Workshop: Making An Instant IP Whiz

Manila, Philippines – Another destructive typhoon was battering southern Philippines last week, but this did not stop the majority of the delegates coming from the provinces near the affected areas from flying to the capital to attend what organisers touted as a trailblazing programme that has the potential to raise awareness of sophisticated intellectual property tools and policies at the grassroots level in developing countries.

Maricel Estavillo
December 10, 2012

Reshaping The International Copyright System To Facilitate Education In Developing Countries

International copyright flexibilities are ill-suited to the need of developing countries to create effective access to printed materials in schools, a new book argues. The author, whose work was presented last week at the World Intellectual Property Organization, urges a normative and institutional rethinking of the current system.

Special Report: With Poor And Uninsured A Majority, Southeast Asia Sees Rise In Generics

Four of the world's most populous nations are in Southeast Asia and with roughly two-thirds of its population lacking access to medicines, the region holds promise for the cheaper generic drugs. Already, observers are taking note of how the region is changing the dynamics of the global business.

Maricel Estavillo
November 27, 2012

Report Seeks To Advance Global Debate On Technological Transfer

A new report from the International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development (ICTSD) proposes solutions to advancing the global technology transfer debate to better bridge the development gap between developed countries and the global South.

Tiphaine Nunzia Caulier
November 21, 2012

Philippines Heads Toward Expanded Copyright Law

The Philippine Senate, the upper house of the country's bicameral congress, has approved a bill that seeks to put teeth into its copyright law as the island nation fights a bad reputation as one of the Asian states with high piracy rates. But it also seeks to protect fair use of copyrighted material.

Maricel Estavillo
November 13, 2012
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Southeast Asian States Move To Harmonise Their E-Commerce Laws

Cebu City, Philippines – The 10 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) met over the weekend to advance the groundwork for what is perceived as a challenging but progressing task of harmonising their e-commerce laws, ahead of the region's nearing deadline of creating an integrated economy by 2015.

Maricel Estavillo
November 12, 2012

India Publishes Draft Guidelines For Patenting Of TK and Biological Material

The government of India has released a set of draft guidelines to be followed in the patenting of traditional knowledge and biological material. Comments are due by 22 November.

William New
November 8, 2012
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Landmark India IP Board Decision Against Hepatitis C Drug Patent

India last week saw a landmark public health decision on the evolving role of intellectual property rights in the context of the public interest.

William New
November 4, 2012
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South Korea Lends IP Training Support To China

In a move that goes beyond territorial disputes and past atrocities, the Republic of Korea this week hosted a training session for Chinese civil servants on protection of intellectual property rights.

Maricel Estavillo
October 19, 2012

GI Protection Gets Boost In BRICs; Common Definition Needed For International Debates

The protection of geographical indications at the international level is a brainteaser which translates into lack of progress in several fora, to the dismay of geographical indications proponents, according to speakers at an event last week. A publication was launched by GIs advocates at the event, aimed at providing producers in emerging economies with useful tools to protect their GIs.

Catherine Saez
October 9, 2012

India Ratifies Nagoya Protocol On Biodiversity Access And Benefit-Sharing

The Union Cabinet of India has approved ratification of the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-Sharing, a measure that provides a tool against biopiracy. The 4 October action comes on the eve of the 11th Conference of Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

William New
October 5, 2012

Q&A With Newly Appointed KIPO Commissioner

Ho-Won Kim, the newly appointed commissioner of the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), discussed his views on KIPO’s major policies in a recent exchange with Intellectual Property Watch. He explained the directions KIPO will take on international cooperation, examination pendency periods, and other issues, such as what the international dispute between Samsung Electronics and Apple means for companies worldwide.

William New
September 24, 2012
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