Knowledge Ecology International

Here is the US International Trade Commission (USITC) notice for the public hearing, public comments and Commission report on the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP). The deadlines and other requirements for participation may be strictly enforced. Note the ITC anticipates transmitting its report to the President and the Congress on May 18, 2016.

http://www.usitc.gov/secretary/fed_reg_notices/332/tpa_105_001_notice11172015sgl.pdf

Continue Reading →

Attached is a PDF file with my testimony this morning for the United States International Trade Commission (USITC) hearing on
“Economic Impact of Trade Agreements Implemented Under Trade Authorities Procedure”, 2016 Report. Inv. No.: 332­555 November 17, 2015

Manon Ress also provided testimony at this hearing, for the Union for Affordable Cancer Treatment (UACT). A copy of her testimony is available here.
Continue Reading →

UPDATED:
Here is a link to the recording of the seminar. Please see Professor Outterson’s slideshow for more detail and explanation.

Original
Continue Reading →

This is the tentative witness list for the November 17, 2015 United States International Trade Commission (USITC) hearing on “Economic Impact of Trade Agreements Implemented Under Trade Authorities Procedure, 2016 Report. Inv. No.: 332-555”

The August 4, 2015 USITC notice about the hearing is here.

Continue Reading →

World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr. Margaret Chan addressed civil society and policy-oriented “think tanks” on November 12, 2015, and “challenge[d]” them to “help with issues that keep me awake at night.” Specifically, she mentioned the problems with pharmaceutical patents, high drug prices as a barrier to access, and the current system of incentives for new drug innovation. Dr. Chan also raised concerns about the the TPP, which she said may raise drug prices and harm access to generics.

Continue Reading →

Nestled at the end Intellectual Property Watch’s (IP-Watch) brilliant reportage of a US Chamber of Commerce event – “Has the Sun Set on Multilateral Rulemaking on IP?” – is a quote by Patrick Kilbride (Executive Director, U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Global IP Center) praising the efforts of the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in WTO negotiations on the LDC waiver for pharmaceutical products.

IP-Watch reported,

Continue Reading →

Continue Reading →

JOINT NGO STATEMENT
TRIPS Council Decision On Extension of the Transition Period Concerning Pharmaceutical Products

(PDF copy available here)

Today (6th November), the WTO-TRIPS Council adopted a decision granting Least Developed Countries (LDCs) an exemption from patents and test data protection for pharmaceutical products for a duration of 17 years.

Continue Reading →

Updated. The TPP E-Commerce chapter has a provision banning requirements to transfer or provide access to software source code. This applies to “mass market software.”

Article 14.17: Source Code
1. No Party shall require the transfer of, or access to, source code of software owned by a person of another Party, as a condition for the import, distribution, sale or use of such software, or of products containing such software, in its territory.
Continue Reading →

The whole TPP text.

CHAPTER 8, TECHNICAL BARRIERS TO TRADE.

ANNEX 8-C: PHARMACEUTICALS

7bis. Each Party shall make its determination on whether to grant marketing authorisation for a specific pharmaceutical product on the basis of:

Continue Reading →