On Monday morning, 17 October 2016, the United States Trade Representative, Michael Froman, delivered a lecture at the Graduate Institute entitled, The WTO in a Time of Change: Some Reflections.
On Wednesday, 5 October 2016, Knowledge Ecology International (KEI) delivered the following intervention at the inaugural Marrakesh Treaty Assembly.
5 October 2016
It is an important achievement for WIPO to have embraced the Marrakesh Treaty, and addressed and corrected the barriers that copyright presented for access to culture and knowledge, for persons who are blind or have other disabilities.
On Thursday, 6 October 2016, India delivered the following statement on behalf of the Asia Pacific Group in relation to the General Assembly’s deliberations on WIPO’s work on genetic resources, traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions.
Position Statement by India on behalf of Asia- Pacific Group on Agenda Item 16 – Report on the Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore (IGC), delivered by Dr. Sumit Seth, First Secretary(Economic Affairs)
Thank you Mr. Chairman
On Wednesday, 5 October 2016, Knowledge Ecology International delivered the following intervention on the agenda item concerning the Report of the Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR).
Agenda item 11: Report on the SCCR
244 words
Thank you Chair.
Congratulations to Sylvie Forbin, the highly qualified new DDG for the Copyright and Creative Industries Sector.
KEI welcomes the entry into force of the Marrakesh Treaty, and look forward to additional work at WPO to expand access to knowledge and knowledge based goods.
On Monday, 3 October 2016, Bangladesh delivered the following opening statement on behalf of the LDC Group at the World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO) General Assembly.
General Statement on behalf of the LDC Group at the 56th Session of the Assemblies of the Member states of WIPO
[3 October 2016]
Delivered by Ambassador H.E. Mr. M Shameem Ahsan,
Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations
( Suggested time: 5 minutes)Mr. President,
Director General,
Distinguished representatives,
Good morning.WIPO General Assembly 2016: Opening statement of Chile on behalf of the Group of Latin and the Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
On Monday, 3 October 2016, Chile delivered the following opening statement on behalf of the Group of Latin and the Caribbean Group (GRULAC) at the World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO) General Assembly.
In relation to copyright limitations and exceptions, GRULAC noted:
National Association of Manufacturers told USTR the EU position on LDC extension made a mockery of international trading system
On September 10, 2015, the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), wrote to USTR expressing alarm at the European Union support of an indefinite extension of a WTO waiver of obligations to grant patents on pharmaceuticals for UN defined least developed countries (LDCs). In 2015, there were 954 million persons living in LDCs, with a per capita income of $964, according to the World Bank. The EU had aligned itself with health advocates trying to protect the bottom billion access to life saving medicines.
SCP24:WIPO patent committee adopts robust work program on patents and health, limitations and exceptions and quality of patents
On 30 June 2016, the 24th session of the WIPO Standing Committee on the Law of Patents (SCP) agreed to an ambitious work program on patents and health, exceptions and limitations to patent rights, quality of patents, transfer of technology and confidentiality of communications between clients and their patent advisors.
On patents and health, the Committee agreed to the following:
Human Rights Council adopts watershed resolution on Access to Medicines
*(The author thanks Mirza Alas and Alexandre Gajardo for their notes of the 2nd round of informal consultations held on 22 June 2016 and Sophia Simon for transcribing the statements delegations made during the plenary discussions held on 1 July 2016.)
SCP24: African Group submits revised proposal for a WIPO work program on Patents and Health
On Wednesday morning, 29 June 2016, Nigeria, on behalf of the African Group, presented a revised proposal (SCP/24/4) for a WIPO work program on Patents and Health at the Standing Committee on the Law of Patents (SCP). The African Group proposal is a welcome breath of fresh air in the patent committee; the proposal aims to make WIPO more responsive to recent developments including: 1) “Challenges to public health …. Continue Reading