Category WTO/TRIPS

The Anniversary The World Trade Organization Would Rather Forget

The World Trade Organization (WTO)’s 20th anniversary celebrations are about to reach a climax with the 15–18 December Nairobi Ministerial Conference — the first to be held in Africa — following a celebratory Public Forum in Geneva in October. Just over a week before Nairobi, another anniversary is slipping by almost unnoticed. Today, December 6, is the 10th anniversary of a decision that the Director-General at the time, Pascal Lamy, hailed as confirmation “once again that members are determined to ensure the WTO’s trading system contributes to humanitarian and development goals.”

Peter Ungphakorn
December 6, 2015
3 Comments

Impact Of The TPP On The Pharma Industry

The final text of the Trans-Pacific Partnership confirms beyond doubt the apprehensions expressed by civil society, academia and the generic industry about new barriers to access to medicines. The TPP has done away with several flexibilities provided under the TRIPS Agreement and the Doha Declaration on Public Health. Though the text mentions “nothing in this [IPR] Chapter limits a Party’s rights and obligations under Article 31 of the TRIPS Agreement,” the TPP Investment Chapter overrides these flexibilities, says D G Shah.

Intellectual Property Watch
December 2, 2015

Group Calls On WTO Members To Make Trade Rules Development Compatible

A group of civil society organisations is calling for endorsements of a letter to the World Trade Organization prior to the upcoming Ministerial meeting in December aimed at preventing alleged efforts by rich countries to tighten international trade rules and introduce corporate “wish-list” issues from free trade agreements into the WTO.

Catherine Saez
November 30, 2015

WTO Committee Agrees To Keep IP From Non-Violation Complaints Until 2017

Today, the World Trade Organisation intellectual property committee agreed on a recommendation to extend until 2017 a moratorium shielding intellectual property from a mechanism through which one WTO member can go after another member even in the absence of WTO rules infringement.

Catherine Saez
November 23, 2015

Non-Violation Complaints At WTO – Possible Extension Of Moratorium For Two Years

Negotiators at the World Trade Organization met yesterday to try to agree on the fate of a moratorium shielding intellectual property from non-violation complaints. A two-year extension of the moratorium might be the compromise solution found to breach differences, according to sources.

Catherine Saez
November 19, 2015
2 Comments

WTO Discussions On Non-Violation Complaints Might Be Near Consensus, Sources Say

Last month, the World Trade Organization committee on intellectual property was suspended over two contentious items. One item left open is the proposed extension of a moratorium which leaves intellectual property outside of a mechanism through which one WTO member can go after another despite no violation of a WTO agreement. According to sources, a solution might be within reach.

Catherine Saez
November 17, 2015

Governments, Industry Offer Mixed Hope For Multilateral IP Policymaking

WASHINGTON, DC -- The sun may be setting on multilateral policymaking in intellectual property in the eyes of industry, but leading United States and European Union representatives insist on its continued vital role in trade and economy. But a “new narrative” is needed as they emphasise bilateral and plurilateral agreements.

William New
November 11, 2015
1 Comment

Panel Looks At Patentability Criteria In Public Health

A recent workshop on patentability criteria illustrated how countries are using the policy space provided by international trade rules to calibrate their patent law. In particular, incremental innovation remains a trying issue for national legislators, speakers said.

Catherine Saez
November 11, 2015

EU Trademark Reform Advances; Dutch Warn Of Holdup Of Goods In Transit

The European Union Council of ministers today adopted its position on the reform of the European trademark system. The Netherlands delegation abstained from voting out of concern that the proposed reform introduces the possibility to stop goods in transit for possible intellectual property infringement.

Catherine Saez
November 10, 2015
1 Comment

LDC Pharma IP Waiver Until 2033 Approved By WTO TRIPS Council

After two weeks of high level negotiations between the United States and the Group of Least-Developed Countries, the World Trade Organization committee on intellectual property rights today agreed to extend a waiver allowing LDCs to avoid applying and enforcing IP rights on pharmaceutical products until 2033.

Catherine Saez
November 6, 2015
3 Comments

Public Health Considerations Should Guide Patent Examination, Paper Argues

Patent offices should align their work in support of national health and medicines policies when carrying out the examination of patents, a new South Centre paper argues.

Catherine Saez
November 5, 2015

17 Year Exemption From Pharmaceutical Patents Agreed At WTO – TWN

From Third World Network: London, 3 Nov (Sangeeta Shashikant) The United States and the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) at the World Trade Organization have reached agreement ad referendum on a pharmaceutical patent exemption for a duration of 17 years, according to trade diplomats.