US WTO Cases Against China Now Available
On April 10, the US Trade Representative requested consultations with China at the WTO over protection of IP rights and barriers to trade in copyrighted items.
Intellectual Property Watch
Original news and analysis on international IP policy
Category Asia/Pacific
Developing Nations Discuss Experiences With IP Rights And Economic Development
By John T. Aquino for Intellectual Property Watch WASHINGTON, DC – A panel of government representatives from key developing nations this week used the opportunity to highlight efforts at good stewardship of intellectual property rights and acknowledge a link between…
Ruling On Novartis Challenge To WTO Rules In India Could Come Early
By Tatum Anderson for Intellectual Property Watch A decision on whether the Indian patent law is compliant with World Trade Organisation intellectual property rules could be made sooner than expected, after a dramatic turn of events in the ongoing legal…
In Clash With Activists, Critics Charge Thailand Violation Of Trade Rules
By Martin Vaughan for Intellectual Property Watch WASHINGTON, DC – Critics of Thailand’s decision to issue compulsory licenses for several patented drugs said the Thai government violated global trade rules, as they clashed with public health activists at a 16…
Thailand Presents Report On Compulsory Licensing Experience
By Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen A Thai official says the government’s phones have started ringing a lot more frequently since Thailand issued compulsory licenses to import and eventually produce patented medicines, moving patent owners to drop their prices. But sceptics…
WIPO Panel Features Views On Patent System Flexibilities
By William New A well-balanced colloquium at the World Intellectual Property Organization allowed views from two sides to be heard on the subject of flexibilities in the patent system. The presenters at the 16 February event appeared to split along…
Drug Company Reacts To Thai License; Government Ready To Talk
By Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen One of the companies whose patent may be overruled by Thailand’s issuance of a compulsory license said it was caught off-guard by the Thai move, which was aimed at reducing drug prices. The Thai government…
Opposition Gains Support Against Novartis Patent Lawsuit In India
By Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen As a case challenging India’s patent law proceeds this week, pressure is building from politicians, religious leaders and civil society on Swiss pharmaceutical company Novartis to withdraw the case in the name of public health,…
Updating Chinese Traditional Medicine Policy Proves Problematic
By Jia Hepeng for Intellectual Property Watch BEIJING – The revision of a long-controversial rule on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is stranded amidst heated debates. While the government-led revision committee is analysing its stipulations for future implementation, some experts say…
Thailand Compulsory License On AIDS Drug Prompts Policy Debate
By Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen After Thailand issued a compulsory license for government production of an HIV/AIDS drug, the patent holder of the product, Merck Sharp & Dohme, has proposed reducing the price by almost two-thirds, local sources said. But…
Researcher Proposes System To Promote And Protect TK In China
By Catherine Saez Although China is the biggest traditional knowledge holder in the world and has been patenting its traditional medicine knowledge since 1993, its existing patent regime does not appear to be able to protect traditional knowledge or its…
Novartis Persists With Challenge To Indian Patent Law Despite Adversity
By Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen Following the rejection of a patent application for one of its medicines, Swiss pharmaceutical company Novartis has taken the “unprecedented action” of challenging India’s patent law in a high court, arguing that it is unconstitutional…