Category Asia/Pacific

LDCs Commit To Use IP For Development At WIPO; Use Of Exceptions, Flexibilities Omitted

Officials from least developed nations on Friday agreed to a strategy for using intellectual property to encourage local innovation, protect national cultural and genetic resources, attract foreign direct investment, and spur development at a World Intellectual Property Organization forum on the use of intellectual property for “prosperity and development.” But they did not appear to highlight other options for development such as exceptions and limitations to copyright or flexibilities they are allowed in applying IP laws.

Innovation Policy Needs National Focus, Use Of TRIPS Obligations, Panellists Say

Innovation is a main driver for economic growth and development for developing countries, said speakers at an event focusing on innovation in Brazil, India and South Africa. But although innovation is increasing and is a priority in developing economies, one expert said invention capabilities remain in the hands of historical players and governments need to seek innovative policy responses.

ECOSOC Calls For Intensified Efforts On Public Health And Use Of TRIPS Flexibilities

The United Nations Economic and Social Council, a key coordinating body meeting this summer in Geneva, is considering ways to move nations faster toward global public health goals, with a warning from developing countries that intellectual property rights should not interfere with access to medical products and innovation.

Thailand Seeks To Toughen IP Laws to Punish Buyers Of Pirated Or Fake Goods

BANGKOK - Thailand plans to toughen its intellectual property protection law to punish, for the first time, buyers of products that breach copyright and trademark laws, aiming primarily at pirated music and movies and fake brand-name goods, a senior Thai official said Thursday.

EU Says GI Products Would Benefit Asian Poor In Renewing IP Assistance

BANGKOK - The European Union told Asian countries Thursday that protecting geographical indications of their products would benefit their poor, rural people as the EU is offering to renew its intellectual property cooperation with regional countries with GI enforcement as a greater element.

Panel: EU Accord Threatens India; World Customs Body Scales Back IP Enforcement

BRUSSELS - India’s status as a top world supplier of generic medicines could be threatened by a free trade agreement its government is negotiating with the European Union, a new study has concluded. Separately, the World Customs Organization has abandoned its intellectual property rights enforcement group, replacing it with a non-policymaking information committee.

World Health Organization Issues Statement On Generic Drug Seizures

The World Health Organization on Friday issued a statement on a high-profile debate over Dutch customs authorities’ delays of shipments of legitimate generic pharmaceuticals passing through the European country on their way to patients in developing countries. The goods were apparently believed to be counterfeit medicines.

Drug Patent Linkage Is Subject Of Court Case, Dispute In India

Should national drug control bodies grant marketing licences to generic medicine companies only if their products do not possibly infringe existing patent rights? Yes, German pharmaceutical company Bayer told the High Court of Delhi last week when the court heard arguments in an ongoing court case on patent linkage.

欧盟有关知识产权的强硬规定被视为对贫困国家医药获得的威胁

布鲁塞尔 - 全球公共卫生活跃分子声称，欧盟执意要在一系列自由贸易协议中添加有关医药专利的强硬规定将会妨害发展中国家获得医药。