Intellectual Property
UN Climate Conference Promotes Global Environmental Governance
December 19, 2011
Governments conclude the recent UN climate change conference in Durban, South Africa with the adoption of the Durban Platform, a package of decisions that includes the creation of the Green Climate Fund, an Adaptation Committee designed to improve the coordination of adaptation actions on a global scale, and a Technology Mechanism.ICCR Members Urge Pharma Community to "Share" Licenses for AIDS Medicines
December 7, 2011
Members of the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR) have reiterated their endorsement of the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) and called upon pharmaceutical companies to share their licenses for life-savings AIDS medicines with poor countries.EU Directive Bans Use of Claim That Drinking Water Reduces Risk of Dehydration
November 28, 2011
As a result of a European Food Standards Authority ruling rejecting the proposed claim of bottled water manufacturers that consuming water can reduce the risk of dehydration, the EU has implemented a directive against the use of such a claim for advertising purposes, the violation of which can result in a prison sentence of up to two years.WIPO Publication Explains Global IP Landscape
November 28, 2011
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has published "World Intellectual Property Report 2011-The Changing Face of Innovation," which examines the present global intellectual property landscape and offers insights on how best to cope with the growing demand for the protection of intellectual property rights.India Proposes Creation of UN Committee for Global Governance of Internet
November 15, 2011
India has announced a proposal to create a new 50-member United Nations Committee for Internet-Related Policies ("CIRP") to "address gaps in global internet governance" by developing "universally acceptable and globally harmonized policies."NGOs and High-Tech Companies Adopt Silicon Valley Standard
November 1, 2011
At the recent Silicon Valley Human Rights Conference (also known as rightscon.org), 500 attendees adopted the Silicon Valley Standard, a statement including 15 principles relating to how the high-tech sector can better manage the human rights implications of new technologies.United Nations Pursues Global Governance of Light Bulbs
August 24, 2011
At a recent regional meeting, delegates from 26 Latin American and Caribbean governments signed a declaration supporting the "enlighten initiative," a global effort to convert to efficient lighting technologies funded by the UNEP and leading global lighting manufacturers.EU and India Agree to Restrictions on Stopping Shipments of Generic Pharmaceuticals
August 3, 2011
In a move that will suspend a World Trade Organization dispute brought by India last year, India and the European Union announced a written agreement yesterday that puts more conditions on EU customs authorities before they can stop shipments of generic pharmaceuticals passing through Europe.Broadband Commission Pushes for Government Control over Internet Access
June 21, 2011
A new report of the Broadband Commission for Digital Development advocates "a coordinated, nationwide approach to broadband development that more closely resembles the development of national railway or electrical networks than the more laissez-fair, market-driven approach that has generally characterized the roll-out of mobile cellular technology."European Commission Explains New Intellectual Property Rights Strategy
June 1, 2011
The new IPR Strategy sets out a series of short-and long-term key policy actions in the intellectual property field, including patents, trademarks, geographical indications, multi-territorial copyright licensing, digital libraries, counterfeiting, piracy, and customs.A JOINT PROGRAM OF
