Original news and analysis on international IP policy
By Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen The Indonesian government’s reluctance to share avian influenza virus samples to help develop a global vaccine for humans has revealed a weakness in the international flu research system related to developing countries’ concern with the…
By William New A confidential report on the use of different ages by the head of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has now become available online. The report by the WIPO Internal Audit and Oversight Division found that over…
By William New Over the past 24 years, World Intellectual Property Organization Director General Kamil Idris repeatedly signed official documents showing his birth date to be nine years earlier than it is, and may have moved up the ranks at…
By Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch Multi-stakeholder “dynamic coalitions” of the UN Internet Governance Forum (IGF) are pushing to have privacy, intellectual property, open standards and freedom of expression on the agenda of the second meeting in Rio de…
By Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen A recent top-level meeting of the World Health Organization discussed member states’ rights to address malaria using flexibilities in international trade and intellectual property law. But there was strong disagreement as to how far this…
Por Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen Durante la reunión del Consejo Ejecutivo de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) celebrada entre el 22 y el 30 de enero, los Estados miembros expresaron consternación por el proceso del Grupo de Trabajo…
Par Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen Lors de la 120e session du conseil exécutif de l’Organisation mondiale de la santé (OMS), qui s’est tenue du 22 au 30 janvier, les Etats membres ont exprimé leurs inquiétudes vis-à-vis du processus engagé par…
By Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen At last week’s meeting of the World Health Organization (WHO) Executive Board, member states expressed dismay with the process of a public health and intellectual property working group and agreed that the spirit they set…
By Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen Non-governmental participants have different opinions about how a World Health Organization (WHO) working group set up to boost research and development into neglected diseases, should best move forward. While some argue that intellectual property rights…
By Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch
While antipiracy initiatives and updated broadcasting protections remain dominant themes for government and industry this year, 2007 also could usher in an expansion of user rights as well, according to sources. In the United States and perhaps worldwide, the focus appears to be on fair use or fair dealing, said DowLohnes intellectual property attorney James Burger. Outside the US, it is taking the form of legislation clarifying or expanding private use of copyrighted material, he said, while internally, "the personal use issue is more likely to find its challenge in the judicial system."
By Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen A proposal at the World Health Organization (WHO) for early gains on a global plan for improving treatments for overlooked diseases has been tabled at a high-level meeting this week. Intellectual property rules are among…
By William New In her opening remarks to staff on her first day in office, new World Health Organization Director-General Margaret Chan said she would not rock the organisation boat, would focus policy on women and Africa, issued a warning…