WIPO releases negotiating November 20th text: Treaty for the Blind
On Wednesday, 21 November 2012, the plenary of the 25th Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR) resumed at 10:30 AM. After the plenary, the an ambassador-level meeting of the African Group will be held. The informals are expected to take place between 2PM to 9PM.
The November 20th text is reproduced below:
United States Four Fair Use Factors and the WTO Three-Step Test
Copyright limitations and exceptions are important limits to the exclusive rights of the copyright holder, permitting use of copyrighted works without the right holder’s permission in certain cases. Under international law, some specific limitations and exceptions exist, such as those enumerated by the Berne Convention. Continue Reading
Republican Study Committee report suggests copyright reforms, including shorter copyright terms and expanded fair use
Update: November 17, 2012, 10:27pm: The report was removed from the RSC website on Saturday afternoon.. Paul Teller, Executive Director of the RSC issued the following statement:
Pay-for-Delay Circuit Split Continues; 31 States File Amicus Brief Arguing Pay-For-Delay is Presumptively Unlawful
Earlier this year, in the case In re K-Dur, the Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit found that reverse settlement agreements, also known as “pay-for delay” arrangements, were prima facie evidence of anticompetitive behavior. The court noted that the presumption that such payments are unreasonable restraints of trade can be rebutted by a showing that the payment either offered a pro-competitive benefit or that the payment was for a purpose other than delayed entry into the market of generics. Continue Reading
WTO TRIPS Council (November 2012): Intervention of Brazil on Intellectual Property and Innovation
On 7 November 2012, Brazil delivered the following intervention under agenda item M, “Intellectual Property and Innovation”.
Statement by Brazil. TRIPS Council.
“Intellectual Property and Innovation”.Thank you Chairman,
When Brazil asked for an item on “Intellectual Property and Innovation” to be included in the agenda of this session of the TRIPS Council, together with the US delegation, its primary intention was to help set the stage for a debate, without prejudging any outcome whatsoever.
How did markets respond to Romney’s temporary surge in polling data?
How did the market respond to Romney’s temporary surge in polling data? And which sectors of the economy expect to do better if Romney is elected? For the companies included in a survey, the share prices for all large banks and large health insurance and managed care providers rose when Romney’s poll numbers unexpectedly surged, while prices for the companies in the telecommunications and technology sectors declined.
Supreme Court Hears Oral Arguments in First Sale Doctrine Case (Kirtsaeng v. John Wiley & Sons)
On Monday, 29 October 2012, the Supreme Court of the United States heard oral arguments in the first-sale doctrine case, Kirtsaeng v. John Wiley & Sons. This case involved the petitioner, Kirtsaeng, purchasing lawfully made copies of the books from Thailand and reselling these books in the United States. John Wiley & Sons asserted, and the Second Circuit agreed, that the first sale doctrine applies only to copies manufactured in the United States and does not apply to foreign made goods. Continue Reading
2012 October. Four NGOs ask NIH to grant open licenses to ritonavir patents under Bayh-Dole March-in provisions
On October 25, 2012, the American Medical Students Association (AMSA), Knowledge Ecology International (KEI), U.S. Continue Reading
October 19 WIPO negotiations on copyright exceptions for disabilities
After three days, the WIPO intersessional negotiations on copyright exceptions for persons with disabilities adjourned. On July 26, 2012, the SCCR negotiating text (SCCR 24/9) was 26 pages long, with 4051 words, and included 56 brackets, and 20 alternatives. The Final document on Friday (copy here) evening was 26 pages, with 47 brackets, and 22 alternatives.
WIPO negotiations on copyright exceptions for disabilities, October 18, 2012
The October 18 version of the text is available, here. From the October 17 version, the number of brackets as gone from 65 to 61. The number of alternatives has increased from 24 to 26. Both numbers are higher than the July 26 version of the text, which had 56 brackets and 23 alternatives.
