Category WTO/TRIPS

Nairobi WTO Ministerial Conference Preparation On Track, Says Ambassador

“Membership is comfortable with the level of preparedness and what we have done as a country” to host the December trade ministerial, the Kenyan trade minister told press at the World Trade Organization today.

France Spearheads Push For Plain Packaging Of Tobacco Products

The country that made smoking cool is now taking steps to make it uncool. France this week organised what it defined as "the first international ministerial meeting" on plain packaging for tobacco products, gathering countries that support the public health measure aimed at discouraging tobacco use.

EU Commissioner Signals Support For LDC Request To Waive IP Rights Enforcement On Pharma

European Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström said in a recent speech that providing she has the backing of the College of Commissioners, the Council and the European Parliament, she would like to answer positively to the request by least developed countries (LDCs) to extend a particular exemption to enforce intellectual property rights on medical products as long as they remain an LDC.

Cuba Says It Has Protected 5,000 US IPRs, While US Violates Its Rights

Cuba has been trying for many years to get the United States to undo a law that prevents Cuba from defending a rum brand trademark in US courts. This week at the World Trade Organization, the Caribbean country said during this time it has dutifully protected the intellectual property rights of more than 5,000 US products, while the US has allowed violations of Cuban patents and trademarks.

TISA Stocktaking Meeting Also Might Have To Face Growing Protests

With the veil of secrecy lifted a little more on the strictly secret talks of the Trade in Services Agreement (TISA) after Wikileaks published large chunks of negotiating text, delegations gathered for negotiations of the trade deal this week in Geneva face some noisy opposition.

Secret Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Takes Centre Stage In Asia

The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), part of US President Barack Obama’s promised pivot to Asia, has stirred up a hornet’s nest on the ethics of trying to hammer out a trade deal in secrecy. But it is not the only one. A proposed trade agreement in Asia, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), is facing the same hiccups and flak.

LDC Pharma Extension Request At WTO Yields Support But Needs Further Discussion

World Trade Organization members this week could not decide on a request from least-developed countries to extend a waiver allowing them to forego the enforcement of intellectual property rights on pharmaceutical products until their economies are stronger. Discussions are expected to be conducted informally until the next meeting of the organisation’s council on IP rights in October.

WTO Director Calls 2015 A ‘Decisive’ Year, Says WIPO GI Act A Boost To WTO IP Talks

World Trade Organization Director General Roberto Azevêdo said at a press event yesterday that 2015 is a decisive year for the organisation. One of the main features is the potential conclusion of the Doha Development Agenda. He also said a recent agreement on geographical indications at the World Intellectual Property Organization would provide a boost to IP talks at WTO.

IP Key For Financing Innovation, Speakers Say At WTO

Intellectual property protection is vital to finance innovation and in particular for start-ups, according to speakers at an event co-organised this week by the European Union, Switzerland, and the United States at the World Trade Organization.