Category WIPO

WIPO Patent Law Committee Cinches Agreement On Future Work

With the threat of suspension of work looming, the World Intellectual Property Organization Standing Committee of the Law of Patents (SCP) agreed to a minimal programme of work, which includes exceptions and limitations to patent rights, quality of patents, and patents and health. Delegates made significant concessions on all sides, but the Africa Group expressed particular disappointment in the limited commitment to work on the patents and health topic.

Rachel Marusak Hermann
March 1, 2013

Speakers Outline Ideas For Africa To Find Appropriate IP Policies

Johannesburg, South Africa - Africa is still held captive by colonial borders and has failed to collectively leverage benefit-sharing agreements that result from multinationals’commercial pursuit of indigenous knowledge, said speakers at the Africa IP conference this week.

South Africa Leaning Toward Support Of Pan-African IP Office, Minister Says

Johannesburg - There are strong indications that South Africa may join – and lead the charge - in the establishment of the controversial Pan-African Intellectual Property Office (PAIPO).

Linda Daniels
February 28, 2013
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With Lively Start, African IP Conference Addresses Medicines Access, GIs

Johannesburg, South Africa -- The start of the Africa IP conference was the scene of a surprise protest action by Treatment Action Campaign health activists who ambushed the stage as South African Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies was about to welcome delegates to the three-day conference.

Linda Daniels
February 27, 2013

WIPO Patent Committee Moves Quickly Through Agenda; Heavy Lifting To Come

After months of delay, the Standing Committee of the Law of Patents (SCP) opened a meeting on 25 February at the World Intellectual Property Organization and will endeavour to advance negotiations on highly contentious issues including quality of patents, patents and health, and exceptions and limitations to patent rights.

WIPO Blind Treaty Text Shapes Up On Last Day; More Drafting In April

A week of arduous negotiations and doubts at the World Intellectual Property Organization about progress on a text to become a treaty for the benefit of visually impaired people was concluded positively yesterday with a sigh of relief by most delegations, and observers. A new text was issued and even though most deemed that crucial issues were addressed, some are outstanding and delegates will meet again in April to continue their drafting efforts.

Catherine Saez
February 23, 2013

WIPO Treaty For The Blind: Rightsholders Seek Safeguards, Civil Society Seeks Real Access

While country delegates at the World Intellectual Property Organization are working to find consensus on a text to become a treaty for the benefit of blind and visually impaired people, industry and non-governmental organisations are pushing their agendas.

Catherine Saez
February 21, 2013
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WIPO Negotiations: Latest Text Of Treaty For The Blind Is Short On Progress

A new version of a text to become a treaty facilitating access to books and information for blind and visually impaired people was issued this morning at the World Intellectual Property Organization amidst concerns that a lot of ground still needs to be covered before the end of the meeting.

Catherine Saez
February 21, 2013
1 Comment

Blind Treaty Discussions Could Wander, All Sides Ask For Focus

Consensus remains elusive for World Intellectual Property Organization trying to prepare a text for final negotiations on an international instrument facilitating access to books and information to blind people, and some countries are growing concerned.

Catherine Saez
February 20, 2013

Closed Discussions At WIPO On Treaty For Blind, As New Text Emerges

Delegates at the World Intellectual Property Organization working to clean the text of a potential treaty facilitating access to books for visually impaired people produced a new version this morning.

Catherine Saez
February 19, 2013
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Indian Users’ Perspective On WIPO Negotiations On Treaty For Visually Impaired

South-East Asia is host to one-third of the world’s 39 million blind people. Over 20 million live in India alone. This week’s special session of the World Intellectual Property Organization aims to clean up the text of an international treaty to facilitate access to books for the blind and visually impaired community. It is thus of prime importance for India, and some there worry that issues such as commercial availability could undermine the treaty’s effectiveness.

Catherine Saez
February 16, 2013
1 Comment

WIPO Delegates To Clean Text Of Blind Treaty Before Diplomatic Conference In June

Hopes of the visually impaired community were rewarded in December when the World Intellectual Property Organization delegates agreed on a high level meeting anticipated to agree on a treaty providing exceptions to copyright facilitating access to books in special formats for blind and visually impaired people. However some outstanding issues remain and delegates will try to find consensus next week.

Catherine Saez
February 15, 2013
1 Comment