Original news and analysis on international IP policy
A panoramic view of the IP situation in the Caribbean would present to the observer a carnival of Olympic size replete with politicians, diplomats, rights advocates, consumer groups, law enforcement, and impotent jurists, all gyrating discordantly to the WIPO band while Caribbean citizens look on, or are pulled or shoved in, writes Abiola Inniss.
In what the World Trade Organization is signalling as a breakthrough, negotiators have come up with a draft text for an international register of geographical indications for wines and spirits, or product names derived from places or special characteristics. The…
Comcast gave money to the vast majority of the 97 members of the US House of Representatives that signed a letter to the Federal Communications Commission urging approval of a merger between cable company Comcast and broadcaster NBC Universal, according…
The Digital Agenda's hoped-for role as a key growth driver for Europe’s flagging economy has pushed intellectual property issues into a high-priority spot on the EU’s policy agenda for 2011. In an effort to boost job creation and innovation, the European Commission is looking to improve online content licensing, access and protection. And despite continuing opposition from several countries, the long-awaited European patent is finally moving forward. Debate is also heating up on new ways to encourage biomedical innovation, and on a proposed EU-India free trade pact.
Patents will soon receive less protection in the United States. That’s the view of many experts who have been closely following Microsoft Corp. v. i4i Ltd. Partnership, which will be argued before the United States Supreme Court later this year.
A new private sector report shows that billions of visitors are going to websites selling products and services worldwide, but accentuates the fact that most of these visits involve transactions not controlled by the intellectual property rights owners.
World Trade Organization members are scheduled to meet this week to discuss a geographical indications register as part of the intensifying negotiations under the Doha Round.
Although attempts to repeal last year’s healthcare reform bill and efforts to get the deficit under control may take up much of the United States Congress’ time this year, lawmakers are expected to tackle a number of intellectual property-related priorities lawmakers, including patent reform, internet neutrality, and enforcement during the new 112th session.
The Electronic Frontier Foundation has posted several examples of benefits to the public of disclosures of confidential documents by Wikileaks. Details here.
In today’s global economy, there is an increasing convergence of intellectual property and finance. Wall Street is grappling with how to recognise the true value of a firm’s intellectual property. Companies are realising that simply accumulating patents does not necessarily increase their firms’ value, but it is how those patents are used that can attract capital. And drug companies facing massive numbers of upcoming patent expiries, a deflated economy and other market pressures, are looking to diversify their portfolios to stay in the black.