Original news and analysis on international IP policy
Digital content owners continue to emphasise enforcement and protection of intellectual property. However, the impact that litigation and legislation have had with the purpose of limiting illegal file sharing remains questionable, thus setting the stage for new economic models and approaches that could serve as a remedy.
To kick off the World Intellectual Property Organization copyright committee meeting this week, representatives primarily from the broadcasting industry gave their views on key developments in the field, and what that means for intellectual property protection. The overwhelming message was the revival of a strong call for a global policy solution to address cross-border challenges in the industry, though a few speakers included attention to the public interest.
International copyright laws do not take into account the reality of the conditions of accessing knowledge in Africa and clearer limitations and exceptions are needed to achieve a balanced copyright regime at the national level, panellists said at a seminar on development research on 20 May.
A group of Latin American and Caribbean countries have declared their intention to support discussion of a proposal to negotiate a World Intellectual Property Organization treaty ensuring an exception to copyright for visually impaired readers who lack access to protected reading materials. The proposal is expected to be brought to the floor of a key copyright committee meeting this week.
World Trade Organization Director General Pascal Lamy continues to be engaged on intellectual property issues as WTO members begin to revive broader trade negotiations. This week Lamy hosted the heads of the World Intellectual Property Organization and World Health Organization together, and then chaired a consultation with ambassadors on proposals to amend WTO rules on intellectual property and trade.
Word is out among Geneva diplomats that seven officials have been informally proposed to be the next cabinet of World Intellectual Property Organization Director General Francis Gurry.
Los miembros de la Organización Mundial de la Propiedad Intelectual entablaron a finales de abril unas difíciles negociaciones para aprobar un nuevo plan para la aplicación de recomendaciones que permitan profundizar el enfoque de la OMPI en el desarrollo, según comentaron los participantes.
شاركت الدول الأعضاء في المنظمة العالمية للملكية الفكرية في مفاوضات صعبة في أوائل شهر أبريل/نيسان الماضي للموافقة على خطة جديدة لتنفيذ التوصيات بشأن تعميق تركيز جهود الويبو على التنمية، على حد قول المشاركين.
En avril dernier, les membres de l’Organisation mondiale de la propriété intellectuelle (OMPI) ont entrepris des négociations complexes dans le but d’approuver un nouveau plan de mise en application des recommandations visant à accroître les efforts de l’OMPI en faveur du développement, comme l’ont déclaré des participants.
World Intellectual Property Organization members on Friday overcame anxiety about overreaching of the UN body and agreed to study the Patent Cooperation Treaty, including proposals aimed at improving the efficiency and implementation of the treaty, taking into account some members’ concerns.