Author: James Love

Senators Wyden and Grassley launch investigation of pricing of Sovaldi, treatment for Hepatitis C Virus

Posted on by James Love

Senators Wyden and Grassley have written a very tough request for documents about the pricing of Sovaldi, sent to John C. Martin, the Chair and CEO of Gilead Sciences.

The eight page letter sets out in 21 number paragraphs and countless sub-paragraphs a set requests for documents and information related to a very sweeping number of issues relating to Hepatitis C, and the pricing of Sovaldi (Gilead’s brand name for sofosbuvir).

The Grassley press release on the letter is here:
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KEI statement on library exceptions at WIPO SCCR 28

Posted on by James Love

These are the notes from my statement on behalf of KEI on July 3, 2014, during the WIPO SCCR 28 discussions of principles and objectives for library copyright exceptions. The WIPO discussions on July 3 focused on the four topics in the US paper, SCCR/26/8.

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I will start with comments on the statements made by the Federation of Independent Journalists, which were critical of library copyright exceptions, and authors who don’t make a living directly from royalties.

All authors have used libraries. Some authors still use libraries.

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KEI intervention on Library Access to Orphan works, at SCCR 27

Posted on by James Love

KEI and other NGOs attending SCCR 27 have been able to make interventions on various articles in the proposed library treaty. On the issue of library access to orphaned works, KEI’s intervention covered the following points, and made a proposal for text.

1. There is ample evidence that national approaches to providing access to orphan works is quite diverse.
2. The diversity of approaches have been used by some to express pessimism that this issue can be addressed in a treaty.
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KEI opposes negotiations at WIPO on a broadcasting treaty

Posted on by James Love

KEI comment to SCCR 27 on the proposed Broadcasters Treaty

KEI is a non-profit organization representing consumer and public interests and seeking better outcomes for knowledge governance.

KEI opposes continued discussions in the SCCR on the treaty for broadcasting, for the following reasons.

1. The broadcasting organizations have failed to explain (a) the problem the treaty is supposed to address, (b) how the proposed text is related to the alleged problem.

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32 Members of US House of Representatives ask USTR to sanction Canada for not granting patents on drugs

Posted on by James Love

The attached letter, dated April 10, 2014 and signed by a bipartisan group of 32 members of the House of Representatives, asks USTR to elevate Canada to the Special 301 “priority watch list,” for “violation of their international obligations” for not granting enough patents on “innovative medicines.” According to the members of Congress signing the letter, Canada is in violation of its WTO TRIPS obligations. Continue Reading →

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