About: intellectual property rights
Plant breeding sector split over potential of patenting to spur innovation
The European Commission adopted its intellectual property plan in November, hailed as a driver of future growth, but the plant breeding sector remains divided over the potential of intellectual property rights for spurring on much-needed agricultural innovation.
Seed sector organisations call for review of regulation on plant variety rights
Key players in the European seed sector have joined forces to urge the EU Commission to improve the bloc's intellectual property laws and mechanisms and enable an effective plant breeding sector. But there are fears that this may negatively impact small and medium-sized farmers.
Chinese market ‘too big to ignore’ despite IP concerns
Foreign companies have encountered problems related to the protection of intellectual property in China but most, if not all, want to continue doing business in the country because of its size and fast pace of growth, EURACTIV.com has learnt from their representatives.
Ambassador Zhang: China will do more to strengthen IP protection
China and the EU are “in the same boat” when it comes to preserving multilateralism, China's ambassador to the EU, Zhang Ming, stressed in an exclusive, wide-ranging interview with EURACTIV.com, which also addressed next week's ASEM summit and China's relations with its Asian neighbours.
US, EU should ‘clean the house’ and deal with China – US ambassador
Europe and the US should quickly sort out the current issues in their "long-term faithful marriage" so they can speak in "one powerful voice" and address China's global activities, US ambassador to the EU, Gordon Sondland, said on Wednesday (3 September).
EU judges tell KitKat to take a break
The European Court of Justice has decided that the iconic four-fingered design of Nestlé’s KitKat chocolate bar might not be entitled to protection under the EU’s intellectual property protection scheme and ordered a review of the trademark.
EU-China summit boosts negotiations towards an investment agreement
The European Union and China agreed to enhance market access and investment and to speed up negotiations over geographical indications during a leaders’ summit in Beijing on Monday (16 July). But EU leaders indicated they wanted to see China's promises translated into action.
Success of EU-China summit in the air as trade differences remain
The EU and China are speeding up preparatory work for their bilateral summit in Beijing in mid-July. The two sides are trying to agree on a joint position despite differences on trade issues including subsidies and market access.
EFPIA President: Next EU Commission should prioritise competitiveness in pharma innovation
The next European Commission should focus on the bloc’s role in the global context of innovation, as China is “decisive” about creating a reliable framework for intellectual property and connecting biotech start-ups and digital companies, EFPIA’s President Stefan Oschmann told EURACTIV.com in an interview.
Copyright in the EU must balance interests of content creator and recipient
The copyright reform proposed by the European Commission will hinder work on artificial intelligence, harm smaller entities on the internet and simply make life more difficult for Internet users, argues Michał Kanownik in an interview with EURACTIV Poland.
EU and China pledge to deepen relationship despite trade tensions
The EU and China said on Friday (1 June) they would expand trade and investment cooperation amid the global trade dispute triggered by US tariffs. But as part of the efforts to address outstanding trade disputes, Europe will present a complaint before the World Trade Organisation against China’s intellectual property practices.
EU launches project against counterfeiting in Southeast Asia
The European Union has put forward a project to strengthen intellectual and industrial property rights in all ASEAN countries. EURACTIV’s partner Euroefe reports.
EU considering taking China to WTO over IP practices
The European Commission is “closely examining” the option of filing complaints against China before the World Trade Organization for their rules and practices on intellectual property, a spokesperson told EURACTIV on Wednesday (4 April).
WHO urged to end ‘ineffective’ tobacco plain packaging
The removal of brands from packaging is a "gross violation" of intellectual property rights and has failed to achieve its intended goals, the Property Rights Alliance argues in a letter to the World Health Organisation.
EU judges disapprove of Crocs design
The design of Crocs, an opinion-dividing American line of footwear, is no longer valid in the European Union, after the bloc’s top court backed a decision by the EU’s intellectual property office to nullify it, citing a lack of “novelty”.
Health expert: Europe should not put its dominant pharma innovation at risk
The European Union should not create an environment more favourable to generics compared to the innovative pharmaceuticals, as it risks weakening Europe’s overall global strength in pharmaceuticals and in research, Professor Adrian Towse told EURACTIV.com in an interview.
Celgene boss: Chronic diseases will bankrupt Europe if incentives are dropped
Alzheimers, diabetes, cancer and other non-communicable diseases will bankrupt Europe if we don’t keep the incentive frameworks alive and well, Mark Alles told EURACTIV.com in an interview.
New Commission study fuels generic drugs industry ‘manufacturing dispute’
The European Commission launched on Thursday (12 October) a public consultation on supplementary protection certificates for pharmaceutical products and the so-called Bolar patent research exemption.
Andriukaitis: Supporting drug innovation is ‘the only way’
Backing innovation in the pharmaceutical market and developing new evidence-based economic models is the only way forward for future healthcare, according to EU Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Vytenis Andriukaitis.
Silicon Valley giants want to smash standards and grab internet of things
An internet of things based on shared open standards is under threat from Silicon Valley. And EU policymakers could stop them, writes Francisco Mingorance.
EU and US get tough on China trade
Both Brussels and Washington are taking steps to force China to tackle obstacles to foreign investment and the long-standing issue of intellectual property theft, writes Fraser Cameron.
Not out yet, Britain backs EU patent court
Britain pleased and surprised some of its European Union partners on Monday by pledging to ratify a new, unified patent system for the bloc even though London is about to leave the EU.
Knowledge is capital for Europe’s future
Europe’s strength is its skilled workforce and professional expertise. To ensure its future as a major economy, Europe needs to combine entrepreneurship with an increased focus on knowledge capital, write Nima Sanandaji and Per Strömbäck.