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.
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. . .
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.
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
As Geneva awakes from its summer slumber post-Jeûne genevois (6 September 2012), the following conferences and negotiations are expected to shape the knowledge governance landscape in the second semester of 2012 at WHO, WIPO and WTO.
World Health Organization
Here are upcoming meetings of the WHO in 2012 of relevance to public heath, innovation and access.
The 1967 Stockholm Revision of the Berne Convention Protocol Regarding Developing Countries
The 1967 Stockholm Revision of the Berne Convention Protocol Regarding Developing Countries This could be referred to as the forgotten access to knowledge treaty. The text of the 1967 Protocol for Developing Countries in the Stockholm Revision of the Berne… Continue Reading
Berne Exceptions not subject to 3-step test
When politicians and trade officials tell you they want to impose a restrictive 3-step test to narrow the copyright limitations and exceptions permitted under the Berne Convention, take a minute to review what the Berne exceptions cover, and ask yourself, why would anyone want to further limit these exceptions?
[The related rights in the Rome Convention, the rights in the WCT, WPPT and Beijing treaties, and the flexabilities in the WTO TRIPS Agreement require a separate discussion].
Article 2(4,7 and 8) – Protected Works:
Final conclusions from SCCR 24
These are the final conclusions from SCCR 24, as approved early Thursday morning.
World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR)
Twenty–fourth Session
Geneva, July 25, 2012Draft conclusions
Agenda
SCCR24 points to a pathway for a diplomatic conference for VIPs; extraordinary GA to be held in December 2012
Plenary has resumed at 1:32 AM on 26 July 2012. Reproduced below are the conclusions of SCCR 24.
World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR)
Twenty–fourth Session
Geneva, July 25, 2012
Draft conclusions
AgendaSCCR24: India on Contribution of the SCCR to the implementation of the respective Development Agenda recommendations
INDIA: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Indian Delegation joins the distinguished Delegations of Iran, Egypt, South Africa in supporting the statement by the Distinguished Delegate and leader of the Development Agenda Group, the Brazil Indian Delegate. The Development Agenda recommendations and goals have achieved recent success in the Beijing spirit when we included the paragraphs, the preamble of the new treaty. And from there we have been listing — participating in the norm setting activities, in the limitations and exceptions.