European Parliament Rejects Referral Of ACTA To EU High Court
The Committee of International Trade of the European Parliament today voted against referring the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) to the European Court of Justice (ECJ).
Intellectual Property Watch
Original news and analysis on international IP policy
US Supreme Court Reverses Myriad Decision Allowing Gene Patents
The United States Supreme Court yesterday threw out a high-profile case that had allowed a private company's patents on two human genes associated with cancer.
New Chair For WTO GI Register Talks Seeks New Ideas
With general instructions from the December ministerial to change tactics in negotiations, the new chair of World Trade Organization special sessions on creating a geographical indications register for wines and spirits is calling on members for ideas.
Global Fund Changes Continue As West Africa Team Leader Departs
The head of the West Africa region for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria is the next in the line of departures under the organisation’s reforms. On the way out, he sent around a passionate farewell email calling for a dedication to values, and offering a small window on the wrenching transition taking place inside the international organisation.
WHO Head Urges Global Support For Australia In Fight Against Tobacco
World Health Organization Director-General Margaret Chan has issued a call for global support of Australia in defending its “plain packaging” tobacco law against an onslaught of legal challenges from the tobacco industry. The industry has cited trademark concerns as a top issue.
UK Parliament Group Conducts Post-Hargreaves Inquiry Into IP Policy
The All-Party Parliamentary Intellectual Property Group in the United Kingdom is undertaking an inquiry into the government's role in intellectual property (IP) promotion and protection, less than a year after the publication of an independent and comprehensive review on the UK's IP system.
US Supreme Court Narrows Patentable Subject Matter
On 20 March, the US Supreme Court cut back on the types of inventions that can be patented in America. The court held in Mayo Collaborative Services v. Prometheus Labs., Inc. that one cannot patent an invention which merely applies known technology to natural phenomena.
Special Report: Focus On Intermediaries’ Role Rises As Internet Matures
With the commercial internet now in its early twenties, stakeholders are finding themselves at a crossroads, unsure whether to allow business as usual or embrace a more regulated regime. Intellectual property, with its penchant for protection, is one of those areas where the tug-of-war is most evident, and seemingly caught in the middle are internet intermediaries.
Nigerian Courts Step Up Against Copyright Piracy: 18 Convicted
The last year has witnessed a series of convictions of copyright pirates by the Federal High Courts in Nigeria. Information provided by Afam Ezekude, the Director General of the Nigerian Copyright Commission, the government agency responsible for copyright matters, shows that the courts have convicted copyright infringers in 18 cases within the last 5 months (October 2011 to February 2012).
French IP Industry Experts Discuss IP Portfolios, Trademarks Online
PARIS – Intellectual property assets and how they influence corporate value, plus trademarks in the digital world were discussed last week by intellectual property professionals gathered in Paris.