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.
Update: WTO Trade Policy Review of Israel covers new developments on fair use, data exclusivity and parallel importation
UPDATE: On 3 December 2012, the secretariat of the World Trade Organization (WTO) released the minutes of Israel’s Trade Policy Review (WT/TPR/M/272) held on 30 October 2012 and 1 November 2012. According to the chair, Eduardo Munoz Gomez (Colombia), innovation was one of the salient points identified in the TPR noting that:
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
Statement of KEI to the 2012 WIPO General Assembly: Agenda item 26: Report on the work of the SCCR
4 October 2012
Agenda item 26: Report on the Work of the Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR)
Statement of Knowledge Ecology International
WIPO General Assembly 2012General Statement of Development Agenda Group to WIPO General Assemblies (delivered by Brazil)
The general statement of the Development Agenda Group (DAG) was delivered by H.E. Ambassador Roberto Azevêdo (Brazil) on 1 October 2012.
On the pressing issue of a treaty for copyright exceptions for the blind, the Development Agenda Group noted that,
General Statement of India to the WIPO General Assembly 2012 (raises concerns on public health and green technology)
The following statement was delivered by Shri Saurabh Chandra, Secretary, Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, New Delhi on Monday, 1 October 2012 at the WIPO General Assembly.
In her statement, India stressed that intellectual property norms must not create “monopoly situations which may hinder competition and access to technology”.
USTR hearing on Mexico joining the TPP
In August, KEI provided comments to USTR regarding the entry of Mexico and Canada into the TPP negotiations. (https://www.keionline.org/node/1542). Today is the public hearing. Right now there are about 35 people in the audience, and a panel of 9 persons from various agencies hearing the testimonies. There are only 10 witnesses in today’s hearing, and only three, KEI, PhRMA and IIPA, are speaking on IPR issues.
Data on Chinese patent applications and grants suggests growing gap between political rhetoric and current realities
The GOP platform mentions China 15 times, including these passages:
Our serious trade disputes, especially China’s failure to enforce international standards for the protection of intellectual property and copyrights, as well as its manipulation of its currency, call for a firm response from a new Republican Administration. . .
KEI Comments to Federal Register Notice on Mexico, Canada Joining TPPA
USTR will host two public hearings regarding the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA). The first, to be held on Friday, 21 September 2012, will cover Mexico’s participation in the TPPA. The second hearing will be held on Monday, 24 September 2012, and will address Canada’s participation in the TPPA.
September 2011: Spotlight on India at the WTO Trade Policy Review
On 14 September 2011 and 16 September 2011, the World Trade Organization (WTO) undertook a trade policy review of India. All members of the WTO are subject to review under the Trade Policy Review Mechanism (TPRM). The TPRM takes place in the “Trade Policy Review Body which is actually the WTO General Council — comprising the WTO’s full membership — operating under special rules and procedures” (Source: WTO, Trade Policy Reviews: Brief Introduction). Continue Reading