EU Makes Push To Facilitate Geographical Indications In ACP Countries
A European Union-backed project organised a conference at the World Trade Organization last week to rally Africa to the cause of geographical indications.
Intellectual Property Watch
Original news and analysis on international IP policy
Challenge To Apple’s EU Trademark On ‘App Store’
Several large technology companies such as Microsoft and Sony Ericsson have filed applications at the European Trademark Office seeking to invalidate Apple’s obtained rights to the trademarks ‘App Store’ and ‘Appstore.’
Sounding The Alarm: Return Of US Legislation Against Global “Rogue” Websites
Intellectual property rights holders, access to knowledge proponents, presumably online scam artists, and possibly governments and international organisations interested in internet governance heard the call of the introduction this week of the “Protect IP Act” in the US Senate. The bill is aimed at strengthening US law enforcement’s ability to stop international websites offering counterfeit goods or unauthorised copyrighted content.
New EU-Industry Agreement Against Counterfeits
The European Commission recently signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at boosting cooperation between rights holders and internet platforms in the fight against counterfeit products sold online.
New Reports On TRIPS And Tech Transfer, LDC Needs
Two new reports circulated in Geneva this week examine ways to improve technology transfer to least-developed countries (LDCs) as mandated under international intellectual property trade rules, and assessments of the intellectual property needs of LDCs in recent years.
Indigenous Peoples Won’t Be “Wished Away” In Traditional Knowledge Treaty Talks
Colonial history says that indigenous peoples were in the past sometimes asked to sign treaties that may not have been in their best interest or that were not honoured. Now, under the aegis of the United Nations, some indigenous peoples fear it may be happening again, only this time they are fighting to be at the table as the subject is their traditional practices, and the outcome would apply on a global scale.
WIPO Members Tee Up Negotiation On Traditional Knowledge, Cultural Expressions
World Intellectual Property Organization members this week set the stage for text-based negotiations for an international instrument on the protection of traditional knowledge, folklore and genetic resources.
World Health Assembly To Address Organisational Reform, IP Issues
The state of global health and the work of the international organisation in charge of providing leadership in public health matters will be scrutinised at the annual World Health Assembly starting next week.
New Texts In Play In WIPO Traditional Knowledge, Genetic Resources Talks
Negotiators trying this week to advance talks for UN World Intellectual Property Organization treaties on traditional knowledge, genetic resources, and folklore have made progress on draft texts, but are facing sharp criticism from indigenous groups and some governments claiming their concerns are being ignored.
Brazil’s Copyright Reform: Are We All Josef K.?
Discussions are heating up as never before on Brazil's copyright reform, and controversies involving the new administration as well as the collecting society (ECAD)'s alleged wrongdoings are jeopardising the last eight years of Lula's administration, according to an updated timeline and analysis by Pedro Paranaguá.