Month: July 2012

Proposal by Nigeria, Iran and India on definition of authorized entity

Posted on by Thiru

In technical discussions on the meaning of “authorized entity”, Nigeria, Iran and India proposed the following language:

Authorized entity

“means a governmental or non-governmental entity, an organization, educational or teaching institution, including organizations enabled by governments that address the needs of persons with visual impairments/print disabilities including providing them with services relating to instructional training, adaptive reading or information access needs.”

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SCCR 24: Focus is on “primary mission” of authorized entities

Posted on by Manon Ress

During the three hours of informal negotiations, I am told the discussions focused on among the definition, the first paragraph regarding “authorized entity”

[in SCCR23/7 Auhtorized entities]

means a governmental agency, a non-profit entity or non-profit organization that has as one of its activities to assist persons with print disabilities by providing them with services relating to education, training, adaptive reading, or information access needs, in accordance with national law.

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WIPO SCCR24: still on “definitions” behind closed doors

Posted on by Manon Ress

The WIPO SCCR 24 delegates are still meeting behind closed doors (no NGOS and no streaming nor recording). I heard they are still talking about the definitions (see below) and that the 5pm plenary is delayed. Yesterday and this morning we heard quite a bit about “works” and “authorized entity”. If they agreed on these maybe they are now arguing over the meaning of “reasonable price for developed countries” and “reasonable price for developing countries”

SCCR/23/7 ORIGINAL: English DATE: December 16, 2011

ARTICLE A DEFINITIONS

For the purposes of these provisions
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Quick Update on WIPO SCCR 24 Meeting on The treaty for People with Disabilities

Posted on by Manon Ress

Today is day 5 of the WIPO Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights which for over 2 years has been discussing the first ever treaty that would involved a limitation to copyright, in these case to benefit blind people as well as people with other disabilities. It is day 2 of plenary discussions regarding the treaty for people with disabilities.

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WIPO SCCR24 What is an “authorized entity” and what is the fight about?

Posted on by Manon Ress

Today the discussion on the definition of “authorized entity” has started. It is one of the important and technical issues that could make a treaty good or bad, useful or ineffective.

An “authorized entity” or AE is the institution that provides the works in accessible format to the people with visual impairments who are the beneficiaries of the future treaty. Depending on how broad or narrow or inclusive v. restrictive the definition gets to be by the end of the negotiation, access is conditioned.

Some of the questions this morning:

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BRCA gene case: James D. Watson, co-founder of double helix structure, rejects patentability of DNA and other amici filings

Posted on by Krista Cox

Background
On Friday, July 20, 2012, the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit will re-hear the case Association for Molecular Pathology, et. al. v. United States Patent and Trademark Office, et. al. This case, involving the patent eligibility of DNA–specifically claims directed at two human genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2, associated with an individual’s susceptibility to breast cancer–has been litigated for three years now and has resulted in fractured rulings and widely varying reasoning.

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Egypt questions EU on the applicability of the three-step test to Article 10.2 of the Berne Convention

Posted on by Thiru

The first day of the 24th session of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR) has gone into full swing with a textual proposal tabled by Ecuador, Peru and Uruguay on limitations and exceptions for educational and research institutions, and a textual proposal submitted by Brazil on L&Es for educational and research institutions.

The live stream audio capture of these proceedings can be found here: http://www.streamtext.net/player?Event=WIPO

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SCCR24: Opening statement of the African Group

Posted on by Thiru

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has convened the 24th Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR) which will take place from 16 July 2012 to 25 July 2012 at its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. Ambassador Darlington Mwape (Zambia) is chairing the 24th SCCR. The morning session of the SCCR witnessed opening remarks by group coordinators. The following statement was delivered by Egypt on behalf of the African Group.

African Group Opening Statement
WIPO SCCR 24

Mr. Chairman

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