World Customs Organization Publications Copyright Policy Questioned

By William New In an unusual policy for an international organisation, the World Customs Organization imposes copyright over every document its bodies produce, even agendas, which means that no document can be reproduced without the organisation’s express consent. But now…

Islamic Strategy: Knowledge Access, Local Innovation And IP Protection

By Wagdy Sawahel for Intellectual Property Watch Islamic states have declared 2009 “the year for renewal and innovation” and will launch a project to prepare a landmark map of science, technology and innovation to promote science and technology investment and…

RealDVD Court Case Could Prompt More Commercial-Grade DVD Copying Software

By Bruce Gain for Intellectual Property Watch
An upcoming federal court ruling in the United States that will determine whether or not RealNetworks' RealDVD copying software violates the US Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) will likely have a major impact on releases of similar software in the near future.

Governments, Financial Stakeholders Meet On Policy For IP As Collateral

By Liza Porteus Viana for Intellectual Property Watch
Intellectual property and financial stakeholders, representatives from developing and developed countries, and non-governmental organisations are in Vienna this week to work on a global guide on how to use intellectual property as collateral in commerce.

No Agreement For WIPO Committee On Traditional Knowledge And Folklore

By Kaitlin Mara Late Friday evening, weary government officials had to admit they had reached a deadlock in negotiations on international protection of traditional knowledge and folklore at the World Intellectual Property Organization. “No agreement,” said the meeting’s chair, Rigoberto…

New Text For Committee On Traditional Knowledge, Folklore, And Genetic Resources

The chair of the World Intellectual Property Organization Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore has released a draft chairman’s proposal for accelerated work at the next two meetings of the IGC. The text of…

Progress In WIPO Traditional Knowledge Committee Seen In Informal Sessions

By Kaitlin Mara Movement is beginning to be seen at the World Intellectual Property Organization body tasked with discussing protection for traditional knowledge and folklore as informal meetings – and, in particular, bilateral meetings between the African Group and other…