On 10 June 2014, the United States tabled a paper (IP/C/W/599) to the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) TRIPS Council on “Non-Violation Complaints Under the TRIPS Agreement.” This paper is expected to be discussed at the TRIPS Council today (11 June 2014) under agenda item 7 on “Non-Violation and Situation Complaints.”
As previously mentioned in our February 2014 piece,
On Friday, 23 May 2014, the World Health Assembly is currently discussing access to essential medicines in the context of resolution EB134.R16, tabled China in January 2014. The following statement was delivered by South Africa on behalf of the 47 members of the African region. South Africa highlighted the point that “vaccines and anti-cancer drugs remain out of reach of millions of people in both developed and developing countries.”
On Thursday, 8 May 2014, the General Assembly of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) appointed Francis Gurry as Director General for a second term. This second term would run from 1 October 2014 to 30 September 2020.
The General Assembly also addressed the following topic: “Consideration of the Convening of a Diplomatic Conference for the Adoption of a Design Law Treaty.” At the close of business on Friday, 9 May 2014, the General Assembly could not reach consensus on convening a Diplomatic Conference on concluding the Design Law Treaty.
At 12:56 AM on 3 May 2014, WIPO’s Copyright Committee, (SCCR27) could not reach agreement on the future work on “Limitations and exceptions: libraries and archives.” The main point of contention was “text-based work” which the European Union sought to excise from the text. Consequently, the Committee was at an impasse in developing an appropriate international legal instrument (in whatever form) on copyright exceptions and limitations for libraries and archives (whether model law, joint recommendation, treaty and/or other forms). Continue Reading
On Wednesday, 30 April 2014, Kenya delivered the following statement on “Limitations & Exemptions for Libraries and Archives” on behalf of the African Group. In contrast to the European Union, the African Group underscored the point that copyright limitations and exceptions
The Republic of Korea delivered the following statement outlining the position of the Asia Pacific Group (a large and diverse group of Member States including but not limited to Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Iran, the Republic of Korea and Singapore).
Asia Pacific Group Statement for SCCR 27- finalThank you Mr. Chairman
Good morning dear colleagues.
Mr. Chairman,
I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of Asia Pacific group.
Mr. Chairman,
SCCR27: US position on the Scope of Application (Article 6) of the proposed Broadcasting Treaty
The WIPO Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR27) is currently discussing Article 6 (Scope of Application) of the working text of the proposed Treaty on the Protection of Broadcasting Organizations (SCCR/27/2).
The United States of America delivered this nuanced intervention on the Scope of Application.
29 April 2014: The Tunis Model Law on Copyright for Developing Countries: Is it Time for an Update?
On Tuesday, 29 April 2014, Knowledge Ecology International (KEI) will convene a panel at WIPO headquarters entitled, The Tunis Model Law on Copyright for Developing Countries: Is it Time for an Update?
SCCR27: UK proposal on the Proposed WIPO treaty on the protection of broadcasting organizations (the BBC experience)
On 8 April 2014, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland submitted a paper to the 27th session of WIPO’s Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR) on the Proposed WIPO treaty on the protection of broadcasting organizations (SCCR/27/3). In its proposal, the UK endeavors to “shed light on a number of different technologies already being used by broadcasters from around the world” including the deployment of the BBC iPlayer and the BBC Red Button services.
17 March 2014: The African Group highlights the hidden costs of implementing the Design Law Formalities Treaty
On 17 March 2014, the African Group delivered the following opening statement at the Thirty-First Session of the WIPO Standing Committee on the Law of Trademarks, Industrial Designs and Geographical Indications (SCT) highlighting the need for an inclusion of an article on technical assistance (with legally binding effect) in the proposed design law treaty. The African Group noted,