What Is Happening At The ITU Plenipotentiary Conference?

Consultant Richard Hill writes: There is lots going on at the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference, in particular a typical North/South clash regarding who should do what. The global South would like to see a greater role for the International Telecommunication Union in some areas, or a least a smaller role for institutions based in or dominated by the global North, whereas the global North favors the status quo. But there are many nuances, some very significant, within this overall picture.

Limitations And Exceptions To Patent Rights Discussed In WIPO Committee

The World Intellectual Property Organization patent law committee this week is addressing a range of issues including patent quality, technology transfer for medicine production, limitations and exceptions to patents, and the confidentiality of communications between clients and their patent advisors.

WTO Works To Make Vast Store Of TRIPS Information Easier To Use

The World Trade Organization is taking steps to make the vast store of information shared by WTO members in the Council on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) easier to use.

Geographical Indications At WIPO: Members Dissent On Participation In Treaty Talks

Members of a World Intellectual Property Organization treaty protecting appellations of origins who are seeking to revise that treaty to include geographical indications were opposed this week by several WIPO member states seeking to have a say in the adoption of the revision. The issue has raised a question for WIPO about participation in treaties and agreements.

TRIPS Council Debates: Tobacco Packaging, Non-Violation Disputes, Innovation, Health Waiver, UNCTAD

This week's meeting of the World Trade Organization body governing intellectual property issues addressed a long agenda, reflecting continued divergence on regular items, such as complaints that do not involve breach of a WTO agreement, a health waiver, and sustained discussions on plain packaging for tobacco products.

European Commission Holds Consultation On Patents And Standards

The European Commission Directorate General for Enterprise and Industry is gathering stakeholder input on standardisation and intellectual property rights, in order to assess the current framework on patents and standard and look at how it should evolve. Standard-setting cuts across many organisations at the national, European and international levels. Views are being sought until January 2015.

First Innovation Fair Hosted At WTO, Draws Diverse Projects With IP In Mind

The World Trade Organization hosted an Innovation Fair on 28 October, gathering inventors, supporting agencies, and patent offices. A number of inventions were displayed and explained, from concrete walls to motorisation for bicycles.

Draft Revision To Provide Higher Protection To GIs Fine-Tuned At WIPO

The contracting parties of the agreement protecting appellations of origin at the World Intellectual Property Organization are meeting this week to fine-tune a draft revision of this agreement to include geographical indications. The end of the week is scheduled to be devoted to a preparatory committee of a high-level negotiating meeting in 2015 to adopt the revision.