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intellectual property


MSF response on the India-EFTA free trade agreement negotiations in Liechtenstein this week
Through this deal, Swiss pharmaceutical corporations are working to erode India’s ability to produce and supply generic medicines for people across the developing world.
Avoid changing TPP-related laws that damage the health of Malaysians
The Consumers’ Association of Penang calls on the Malaysian government not to make changes to the law relating to intellectual property rights to comply with the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement.
US to ask Argentina to expedite approval for patenting of seeds
The opening of the US market to Argentine beef exports and its continued openness to biodiesel from this country will be made conditional on a demand that Argentina change its legislation to expedite the approval of patents on seeds waiting in the pipeline.
Reject RCEP and reject unjust trade deals
Trade Justice Pilipinas expresses its opposition to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement or RCEP
MSF response on RCEP negotiations in the Philippines
Negotiators must protect public health safeguards that enable developing countries like India to keep supplying life-saving affordable medicines for millions of people worldwide.
TRIPS flexibilities under threat from investment disputes: a closer look at Canada’s “win” against Eli Lilly
Although Canada won in a unanimous decision, the ruling does not, however, guarantee domestic discretion going forward, contrary to the suggestion of some.
The expanding universe of IP
Granting data exclusivity for clinical trials would undermine access to medicines.
CETA bringing changes to pharma patents in Canada
A certificate of supplemental protection provides up to two years of additional protection after expiry of a patent.
Treating intellectual property as an investment, and subjecting it to treaty arbitration, can have undesirable impact
Free trade agreements tend to treat intellectual property as an investment made by investor corporations, allowing private investment disputes to be raised against the host country.
Compulsory licensing in Colombia: Leaked documents show aggressive lobbying by Novartis
Confidential documents obtained by Public Eye show that Novartis has threatened Colombia with international investment arbitration under its BIT with Switzerland to avoid the issuance of a compulsory license
Gilead Pharma corp withdraws investment arbitration after Ukraine agrees to settlement of dispute over monopoly rights to market anti-viral drug
Ukraine has settled a dispute with American pharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences Inc., following the company’s pursuit of legal remedies in both domestic courts and via investment arbitration.
Pharmaceutical giant threatens to drag Government before corporate tribunal
Novartis battle against Colombian Government highlights the threats to public health posed by the outrageous investor-state dispute settlement regime and bad “trade” deals.
Proposed trade pact clause on intellectual property could endanger India’s TB programme
A draft of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement reveals three clauses that could potentially hurt production of important generic drugs
What to watch out for in the EU-Mercosur FTA negotiations: consequences for access to medicines
Some of the main TRIPS-plus measures historically pushed for by countries such as the United States or the EU are being again proposed at the EU-Mercosur FTA.
Switzerland wants stricter intellectual property rules in India that could harm generic drug makers
Switzerland is pushing for tighter patent protection, data exclusivity and dropping compulsory licencing under a new free trade agreement.
JEFTA: The latest massive ’trade’ deal you’ve never heard of, negotiated behind closed doors, with zero public scrutiny
One of the negotiations that has been going on in the background is for a major trade agreement between the EU and Japan since 2013.
Leaked document: Note by Switzerland on India EFTA TEPA IP Chapter
In this note, Switzerland is proposing that India agree to broader patentable subject matter, particularly as regards biologic products.
India–EFTA trade talks may make medicines more expensive
MSF and civil society urge Swiss negotiators not to undermine the ‘pharmacy of the developing world’
Eli Lilly loses quixotic quest to get Canada to pay $500 million for rejecting its bad patents
Just the fact that the Canadian government had to go through this massive and expensive process for many years just for rejecting two bad patents should show why ISDS provisions are such a problem.
Canada scores ISDS victory over Eli Lilly
Canada has prevailed over pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly in a long-running investor-state dispute the drug company filed under NAFTA’s investment chapter.