New Geneva Delegates For Canada, Panama

New delegates have arrived to Geneva just in time for the annual Assemblies of the World Intellectual Property Organization and the World Trade Organization trade ministerial. Geneva Delegates Zoraida Rodríguez, Deputy Permanent Representative to the World Intellectual Property Organization and…

TTIP Could Lead To Jobs, Access To Better Drugs, Says Pharma

The trade negotiation between Europe and the United States relating to a wide range of trade and investment policies could lead to greater job creation and access to innovative medicines, according to senior European and American pharmaceutical business leaders and academics.

UN SDGs Need U-Turn On Governance For Health

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, to be adopted this week at UN Headquarters, could fall short of its health targets unless the governments embark on “U-turn” changes to rectify the dysfunctions in global governance that undermine health, writes Daniele Dionisio.

Cuba And Your Global Trademark Strategy

After 54 years, the American flag has once again been raised over the American Embassy in Cuba. What does the newfound activity in Cuba mean for your brand? Is it time to protect your trademark in Cuba? The answer from most is a hearty “yes,” writes Pam Huff.

Overall Dip In IP Crime Thanks To Successful Partnerships, UK IP Office Says

The United Kingdom Intellectual Property Office in conjunction with the IP Crime Group, made up of representatives from industry, law enforcement and government, have released official figures illustrating a decrease in the number of intellectual property crimes reported over the last year.

Are The UN And WIPO Drifting Apart?

NEW YORK – As some of the most powerful people on earth prepare to gather here later this week at the United Nations to discuss the biggest problems and opportunities facing humankind for the next 15 years, mention of a key issue underlying many themes – intellectual property – is hard to find. Also hard to find is reference to the UN agency responsible for the issue, the World Intellectual Property Organization.

African Group Proposes Permanent Traditional Knowledge Committee At WIPO

In a couple of weeks, the World Intellectual Property Organization will hold its annual General Assembly. The African Group is asking the Assembly transform the committee devoted to finding a way to protect genetic resources, traditional knowledge and folklore from misappropriation into a standing committee. This would allow the committee to avoid seeking the renewal of its existence every two years, which it faces again at this year’s Assembly.

USPTO Director Addresses ‘Unacceptable’ Gender Gap In Sci/Tech Fields

The alarming statistic that women hold less than 25 percent of science and technology jobs in the United States, despite making up nearly half of the workforce, brings home the extent to which women are underrepresented in this domain, says US Patent and Trademark Office Director Michelle Lee.

Paper: Strict Plant Variety Protection In Africa Goes Beyond International Regulation

A new paper by a Norwegian researcher finds that recent legislation efforts on plant variety protection in Africa go beyond the requirements of the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV).

Top US Lawmakers On Trade Urge Action On India’s Treatment Of IPRs

The top members of US Congress and the Senate responsible for international trade issues today urged the Obama administration to push for changes to India’s handling of intellectual property rights and technology. The United States and India are preparing for…