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intellectual property

More than 70 US health, consumer and other groups demand elimination of NAFTA 2.0 terms that would lock in high US medicine prices
22-Jan-2019 Public Citizen
In a letter to Congress, the groups demand that the pact’s giveaways to Big Pharma that would keep medicines unaffordable be removed before the pact is sent to Congress.
We can’t afford to let the new NAFTA drive up drug prices
14-Jan-2019 Chicago Tribune
NAFTA 2.0 would effectively tie the US Congress’ hands in the struggle against rising drug prices.
The IP implications of the USMCA: Who needs to do what
11-Jan-2019 Lexology
The USMCA most closely reflects US IP laws, subjecting the US to almost no revisions of its current domestic intellectual property laws.
Free trade agreement with Indonesia to be signed in Jakarta on 16 December
14-Dec-2018 The Federal Council, The Portal of the Swiss Government
Indonesia - EFTA trade deal will be signed, 98 per cent of Swiss exports to Indonesia will be exempt from customs duties over the coming years.
Comments on negotiating objectives for a US-Japan trade agreement
12-Dec-2018 PhRMA
US drug manufacturers want Japan to provide 12 years of data protection for biologic medicine in upcoming trade talks. That would be four more years than Japan currently provides.
Japan to extend copyright period on works including novels and paintings to 70 years on Dec. 30
10-Dec-2018 Japan Times
The copyright period on works such as novels and paintings in Japan is set to be extended to 70 years after the authors’ deaths, from the current 50 years, as part of legislation to approve the TPP.
NAFTA 2.0: US-Mexico-Canada Agreement. Chapter 20: pharmaceutical related patent provisions
5-Dec-2018 Public Citizen
The Intellectual Property Chapter of the revised NAFTA, rebranded by the Trump Administration USMCA, includes provisions that threaten to undermine critical efforts to­wards affordable health care and medicine.
Indonesia and RCEP: Beware the public health risks
26-Nov-2018 The Diplomat
Proposals from Japan and South Korea would require patent law changes in several RCEP countries, including Indonesia.
Switzerland should stop pushing for TRIPS-plus measures in trade agreement with Indonesia
12-Nov-2018 Public Eye
Swiss and Norwegians civil society groups addressed their serious concerns over TRIPS-plus provisions being included in the trade agreement under negotiation between the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and Indonesia.
RCEP and affordable medicines: Civil society reaches out to Minister of Commerce Suresh Prabhu
12-Nov-2018 Don’t trade our lives away
Civil society organisations, patient groups and health activists have been concerned about intellectual property provisions being discussed in RCEP which undermine access to medicines and affordable treatment for patients
Indonesia-EFTA CEPA TRIPS-plus, threat for access to medicines and the right to health of millions of people in Indonesia
8-Nov-2018 IGJ
In many countries, the implementation of the TRIPS-plus measures has significantly increased the cost of medicines.
Drugs costs impact health
8-Nov-2018 The Guardian.pe.ca
Canada’s negotiators extended data protection on biologics without knowing impact on prices.
UPOV 91 and trade agreements: Compromising farmers’ right to save and sell seeds
7-Nov-2018 Both Ends
Increased effort to include references to UPOV 91 in EU trade agreements impose intellectual property rights on seeds, which can restrict the farmers’ right to save and re-use seeds and undermine local seed systems
Trade and patent changes could increase healthcare costs by $100bn, CPHI annual report warns
9-Oct-2018 European Pharmaceutical Manufacturer
Patients may need to wait an extra five or 10 years to access generic medicines, which could raise healthcare costs by as $100 billion over the next five years, according to the latest CPhI annual report
Canada ’caved’ on intellectual property provisions in USMCA trade deal, experts say
5-Oct-2018 Financial Post
Experts are fuming, saying USMCA will hamper Canada’s innovation economy and hike costs to the health care system over patented drugs.
US-Canada-Mexico trade agreement provisions on injunctions and damages
2-Oct-2018 Knowledge Ecology International
The damages provisions in the new trade agreement are dangerous, and create a norm that is in conflict with national laws.
Despite seed concerns, CPTPP study to proceed
1-Oct-2018 Bangkok Post
Thai farmers and civil society organisations vented their concerns about the impact of the new pact’s IP chapter that prevents them from saving and reusing seeds that contain patented plant material.
Un accord de libre-échange Suisse-Indonésie serait à bout touchant
21-Sep-2018 Le Temps
L’Indonésie n’exige plus l’abolition de droits de douane à l’importation de son huile de palme, produit contesté en Suisse, et accepte des règles strictes en matière de propriété intellectuelle.
Extended monopolies on biologic drugs – A warning to developing countries
12-Sep-2018 IP Watch
The United States has throughout history been the principal demandeur of maximalist intellectual property, backed by a powerful pharmaceutical lobby.
RCEP talks: India manages major breakthrough
5-Sep-2018 Financial Express
New Delhi won’t not take additional commitment on intellectual property rights beyond the TRIPS agreement it has already accepted at the WTO; investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) mechanism only for limited sectors.