Program for WTO TRIPS Council (June 8-9) including discussion on Paragraph 6 implementation and TRIPS plus enforcement trends

The following WTO aerogram contains the agenda for the upcoming WTO Council for TRIPS meeting to be held in Geneva from 8 June 2010 to 9 June 2010. Paragraph 2 and agenda items l and m will be of interest to readers of this blog. It should be noted that in the original document, the text is capitalized.

WTO/AIR/3562/Rev. 1

1. The next meeting of the Council for TRIPS will be held in the Center William Rappard on 8-9 June 2010. The meeting will start at 11 A.M. Tuesday, 8 June.

Continue Reading

Uncategorized

WTO TRIPS Council (June 8-9) to deliberate on Paragraph 6 implementation and TRIPS plus enforcement measures

The upcoming WTO Council for Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS Council) meets on 8-9 June 2010 (next Tuesday and Wednesday); Martin Glass (Hong Kong) is the current chair of the TRIPS Council. Access to attend WTO TRIPS Council meetings is only granted to WTO Members and organizations with observer status to the TRIPS Council (such as the World Health Organization); consequently, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are not permitted to observe the proceedings of the TRIPS Council. Continue Reading

Uncategorized

Response of Brazil, Ecuador, Mexico and Paraguay to US proposal at WIPO open-consultations

Open-ended consultations on copyright limitations and exceptions for persons with print disabilities
Geneva, May 27, 2010

Mr. Chairman,

Yesterday, during the first round of the consultations, Brazil recalled the reasons why there is an urgent need for a treaty on Improved Access for Blind, Visually Impaired and other Reading Disabled Persons. As civil society representatives were not present yesterday, I will recall some of the main points Brazil holds dear in these discussions.

Continue Reading

Uncategorized

Global Health Progress/IFPMA fete African health ministers in Geneva on public private partnerships

On 19 May 2010, Global Health Progress (GHP) and the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA) hosted a luncheon at the Vieux Bois in Geneva on the margins of the 63rd World Health Assembly for a targeted audience of over 90 persons including Ministers of Health, Ambassadors and senior officials from the Africa. Continue Reading

Uncategorized

Launch of 2.3(c) Committee: Salle XXV (Palais des Nations): May 19, 13:00 to 14:30

On Wednesday, 19 May 2010, the launch of the 2.3(c) Committee will take place at Room XXV of the Palais de Nations from 13:00 to 14:30. Element 2.3(c) of the WHO Global Strategy on Public Health, Innovation and Intellectual Property states:

encourage further exploratory discussions on the utility of possible instruments or mechanisms for essential health and biomedical R&D, including inter alia, an essential health and biomedical R&D treaty

Continue Reading

Uncategorized

WHO donors (US, Gates Foundation, UK, Norway, Canada, EC, GAVI and Roche): Setting the agenda for global public health?

As the 63rd World Health Assembly (WHA) opens on May 17, 2010, WHO member countries will meet to consider matters of great moment including such topics as ‘counterfeit medical products’, pandemic influenza preparedness (sharing of influenza viruses and access to vaccines and other benefits) and the Report of the WHO Expert Working Group on R&D Financing. Continue Reading

Uncategorized

KEI statement on possible WTO disputes against the EU seizures of goods in transit

12 May 2010

Statement of Knowledge Ecology International on possible WTO disputes against the EU seizures of goods in transit

Thiru Balasubramaniam, Geneva Representative

“In a world with territorial patent rights, it is important that the rules for ‘goods in transit’ permit the transport of medicines from places where they can be made to places where they will be used. The EU’s systematic seizure of at least 17 drug consignments is indefensible and undermines the very principle of free trade, the raison d’être of the World Trade Organization.

Continue Reading

Uncategorized

WIPO Open-ended Consultations on Copyright Limitations and Exceptions for Persons with Print Disabilities

On April 23, 2010 and May 27-28, 2010, WIPO will hold open-ended consultations on copyright limitations and exceptions for persons with print disabilities and on the protection of audiovisual performances as mandated by the conclusions of the 19th session of the WIPO Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR).

Continue Reading

Uncategorized

Copyright lobby (IIPA) demands that USTR punish governments who ‘consider’ mandating open source software

On February 18, 2010, the International Intellectual Property Alliance (IIPA), a trade association whose members include the Business Software Alliance (BSA), the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) and the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) prepared a 498 page submission to the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) detailing their concerns with 39 countries or territories which the IIPA believed were not providing adequate and effective protection of their Continue Reading

Uncategorized