New US Tech Industry Lobbyist In Geneva
The technology industry - including Google, Microsoft, and Facebook - has a new lobbyist in Geneva.
Intellectual Property Watch
Original news and analysis on international IP policy
Ruling Against Google Could Affect Open Source Use
A new ruling from Texas against Google found patent infringement in some of its use of open-source Linux code, a decision that could affect the use of Linux and other open source systems that build upon it, according to a news source.
No Toast Yet To WTO Consensus On Wines And Spirits Geographical Indications
Mandated efforts to create an international register of geographical indications have risen in importance at the World Trade Organization in recent weeks. And as the pressure to produce negotiating texts for the Doha Round discussions climaxed this week, some dissonant notes were heard in the main negotiating group of countries on GIs.
WHO Pandemic Flu Deal Doesn’t Go Far Enough, NGOs Say
Two civil society groups said the recent World Health Organization agreement on influenza pandemic strategy is an improvement on the present situation but has key shortcomings.
Plant Breeder’s Rights – A Blessing Or A Curse?
Niels Louwaars of the Centre for Genetic Resources, Wageningen University, The Netherlands, discusses the importance of plant breeder’s rights. He makes the case for a carefully balanced protection for plant breeders and changes to patents in agriculture, in order to ensure a competitive, diversified supply of plant varieties and seeds.
European Commission Says It Deepens Commitment To Net Neutrality
With new European Union rules on telecommunications set to take effect next month, the European Commission today adopted a report which it said further commits it to principles of openness and neutrality on the internet.
Lessig At CERN: Scientific Knowledge Should Not Be Reserved For Academic Elite
Free culture leader and Harvard University law professor Larry Lessig was at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) yesterday to talk about access to scientific knowledge on internet. In the symbolic place where the World Wide Web was invented and where scientists are now trying to unravel the creation of the universe, Lessig praised CERN’s open access initiative and in this temple of reasoning, said the copyright architecture was on the edge of absurdity.
Book Explores Intersection Of Policymaking In IP, Biodiversity
A new book published by GTZ, the German federal agency for international development, looks at the synergies between intellectual property rights and biodiversity, gathering analysis from Latin America, southern Africa and Asia experts.
Report Finds Internet Freedom Under Threat
A newly released report on internet freedom found rising threats from cyberattacks, politically motivated censorship and government control even as the number of global online users continued to grow at explosive rates.
WHO Group Strikes Landmark Deal On Global Framework For Flu Pandemics
After a week of discussions, a good part of which centred around intellectual property issues, World Health Organization members agreed to a framework aimed at better addressing future influenza pandemics and facilitating vaccines access for developing country populations, with industry contributions.