About: intellectual property
Backing IP waiver is wrong move in Europe’s fight against Covid
A Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property (TRIPS) waiver is neither useful nor effective in solving global vaccination issues, and comes with plenty of negative consequences, writes Pieter Cleppe.
WTO strikes global trade deals after ‘roller coaster’ talks
The World Trade Organization agreed on the first change to global trading rules in years 17 June as well as a deal to boost the supply of COVID-19 vaccines in a series of pledges that were heavy on compromise.
WTO reaches initial deal as India’s defiance tempered
Major members of the World Trade Organization reached an initial deal on 16 June, winning over India which said it was confident more global accords could be achieved as negotiations on fishing, vaccines and food security entered their final hours.
EU, Africa at odds over vaccine patents ahead of summit
The EU on Monday (14 February) stood by its refusal to lift patent protections on Covid vaccines, just days ahead of a summit with African Union countries who see the issue as a priority.
Pharma industry calls for stronger IP protection in free trade agreements
Amid global criticism for holding on to vaccine patents during the pandemic, a new study commissioned by the European pharmaceuticals industry claims that integrating stronger intellectual property protection into free trade agreements would benefit the EU economy.
Facebook teams up with French anti-piracy association on copyright
Facebook has teamed up with French anti-piracy association ALPA up to protect content on its platforms from copyright infringement, the tech giant announced on Monday (26 July). EURACTIV France reports.
G20 snubs COVID patent waiver, waters down pledge on WHO’s funding
Leaders of the world’s largest economies back “voluntary licensing” of COVID-19 vaccine patents, the draft conclusions of a summit show, watering down a US push for waivers and earlier commitments to supply more funds to the World Health Organization.
MEPs vote down call for COVID vaccine IP waiver
An amendment calling on the EU to back India and South Africa's proposal to temporary lift intellectual property rights for the COVID-19 vaccine was rejected by the European Parliament on Thursday (29 April).
Commission, industry dubious about IP rights waiver for COVID-19 vaccines
Both the European Commission and vaccine manufacturers are not convinced by the potential benefits of waiving the intellectual property (IP) rights of COVID-19 vaccines and treatments.
EU Court leaves Cyprus on the grill as halloumi trademark rift heats up
The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has dismissed the claim of a Cypriot producers' organisation who challenged the trademark validation of Bulgarian halloumi-sounding products arguing that they could deceive consumers.
A Covid-19 vaccine must have a ‘global public good’ guarantee
A coronavirus vaccine must be accessible to all. EU leaders must ensure that patents do not put profits ahead of people, writes Marc Botenga.
European Patent Office endorses EU’s stance on conventionally-bred plants
The longstanding legal saga on patentability for plants obtained by conventional biological processes has been seemingly put to an end after the Enlarged Body of the European Patent Office (EPO) published an opinion upholding the EU's standpoint.
China makes ‘unprecedented proposals’ to US on technology transfer
China has made unprecedented proposals in talks with the United States on a range of issues including forced technology transfer as the two sides work to overcome remaining obstacles to a deal to end their protracted trade war, US officials told Reuters on Wednesday (27 March).