WIPO releases new working document on an international instrument on L&Es for persons with print disabilities

On Monday, 28 November 2011, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) released a new document called “Working Document on an International Instrument on Limitations and Exceptions for Persons with Print Disabilities” prepared by the “Secretariat on the basis of comments made by Member States delegations to the Chair’s document SCCR/22/16” on 25 November 2011.

The new document can be found here: /wp-content/uploads/Workingdocument_VIP.doc or /wp-content/uploads/Workingdocument_VIP.pdf Continue Reading

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European versus American interpretations of orphan works

The WIPO Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR) is now discussing the topic of orphan works in deliberations on limitations and exceptions for libraries and archives. The US has a broader view of what constitutes an orphan work compared with the European Union. Here are the interventions of both the US and EU taken from the WIPO lives stream for comparison.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

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General statement of Knowledge Ecology International at SCCR 23 supporting TVI and AV treaty and opposing Broadcasting Treaty

General statement of Knowledge Ecology International
SCCR 23
21 November 2011

The SCCR is beginning a long meeting that will attempt to address proposals for norm setting on copyright limitations and exceptions, and for related rights for audiovisual performances and broadcasting organizations.

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Pharma company registered lobbying expenditures for USA

According to OpenSecrets.Org, the pharmaceutical manufacturing sector has reported $115,571,832 in lobbying for 2011, a number that will grow considerably when all quarterly reports are filed. The top lobbying outlays were reported by PhRMA, the trade association, followed by Pfizer, Amgen, Merck, Lilly, Novartis, Bayer and GSK. The top generic company was Teva, which ranked 12th overall. As reported by OpenSecrets, some firms are listed more than once, for lobbying outlays by different subsidiaries. Continue Reading

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WHO CEWG to pave the way for binding global convention on biomedical R&D

On Friday, 18 November 2011, the WHO Consultative Expert Working Group on research and development: financing and coordination (CEWG) held an open briefing on the results of its work thus far. This meeting was attended by delegates from Bangladesh, Brazil, the European Union, Germany, the Holy See, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Tanzania, United States in addition to representatives from the Global Fund, South Centre, WHO, WIPO, UNITAID, Berne Declaration, HAI, KEI, IFPMA, MPP, MSF and TWN.

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Accessible formats for people with visual disabilities: a human right requiring a binding legal instrument

Next week, the WIPO Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR 23) will meet beginning on 21 November and continue through 2 December 2011. One issue that will be discussed is a possible treaty for copyright limitations and exceptions for persons who are visually impaired or have other disabilities. A treaty is necessary to provide minimum standards for limitations and exceptions to permit the creation of accessible format works and also to facilitate cross-border sharing of these works. Continue Reading

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How the US government subsidized Ron Perelman’s smallpox drug: ST-246 (Tecovirimat)

On November 13, 2011, the Los Angeles Times published a story by David Willman on a no-bid contract with the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to supply the government with a drug for smallpox. The LA Times story begins with this:

Over the last year, the Obama administration has aggressively pushed a $433-million plan to buy an experimental smallpox drug, despite uncertainty over whether it is needed or will work.

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