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Foreign patent owners can challenge domestic judgments under international investment arbitration
12-Sep-2017 Forbes India
The first ever final award on patents in international investment arbitration by ICSID in the case of Eli Lilly v. Canada has effectively cleared the way for raising future disputes by foreign IPR owners against domestic institutions which can result in stronger and robust IP protection regime.
The MERCOSUR Protocol on Investment Cooperation and Facilitation: regionalizing an innovative approach to investment agreements
12-Sep-2017 EJIL: Talk!
The Protocol draws significantly on the Brazilian model investment agreement, which stands out for departing from the traditional design of Bilateral Investment Treaties, particularly by excluding the possibility of investor-State dispute settlement (ISDS).
Brazil tells the EU ‘it won’t move’ on Mercosur talks without ethanol and beef
12-Sep-2017 EurActiv
Brazil insists that it will not table a new offer as part of the ongoing EU-Mercosur talks until a proposal on beef and ethanol is on the table.
MERCOSUR threatens feed-in industries, vehicles: Industry Minister rules out possibility
12-Sep-2017 Daily News Egypt
The agreements will force global companies to exclude us from manufacturing: Masrouga
Regulating across the digital divide
12-Sep-2017 MENAFN
If the world’s three major economies the US, the EU, and China were ever to harmonise their approach to regulating digital trade and global data flows, the pressure on developing countries to accept digital rules would intensify.
EU-Japan deal: trading away our rights
12-Sep-2017 CEO
Imagine the EU finds a new chemical to be dangerous. The EU would like to ban it but is unable to, or is only able to do so with major delays and laxer standards….
Vanuatu signs up to PACER Plus
12-Sep-2017 Radio NZ
Vanuatu has signed up to PACER Plus trade deal in Samoa - three months after most regional countries agreed to the trade agreement.
RCEP ministers agree on "key elements" to speed up talks on "mega trade pact"
12-Sep-2017 Xinhua
The economic ministers of 16 Asia-Pacific countries have endorsed a set of "clear key elements" that will guide the negotiations to establish a Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)
Canada introduces patent term extensions for pharmaceutical patents
12-Sep-2017 Lexology
The new regime has been implemented in order to meet Canada’s obligations under the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between Canada and the European Union
Pakistan, China to hold 8th round of FTA talks next week
12-Sep-2017 Can-India
Pakistan and China will hold the eighth round of their Free Trade Agreement talks in Beijing, with both sides having failed to strike an agreement over the second phase of duty reductions.
THAAD reprisals undermine China FTA
11-Sep-2017 Korea Herald
China has shown no hesitation in disregarding its obligations under the free trade agreement with South Korea to take retaliatory measures against the deployment of a US missile defense system in the peninsula, say Korean media
New study looks at IP and the rise of mega-regional agreements
11-Sep-2017 IP Watch
A substantive new study with contributions from a range of leading thinkers in the field of intellectual property rights delves into the history and future of mega-regional trade agreements and the evolution of IP rights.
Western Sahara trade dispute to be heard in the Court of Justice of the European Union
11-Sep-2017 Lexology
WSCUK argues that the UK was unlawfully allowing products, originating from or processed in Western Sahara, to be imported into the UK under a trade agreement with Morocco.
Hong Kong to sign ASEAN Free Trade Agreement
11-Sep-2017 GB Times
Hong Kong has agreed to sign a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
EU trade agreement threatens human rights in Indonesia
11-Sep-2017 Somo
The trade and investment agreement currently being negotiated between the EU and Indonesia poses serious threats to the human rights situation in Indonesia, according to a new report.
September 10, the International Day of Action against WTO and FTAs
10-Sep-2017 La Via Campesina
Today, La Via Campesina is calling upon social movements and civil society organisations of the world to mobilise and organise our resistances against the World Trade Organisation and free trade agreements, build solidarity alliances and prepare for a worldwide week of action in December, coinciding with the 11th WTO ministerial that is scheduled to take place in Argentina.
White House steps back from ending Korea trade pact
8-Sep-2017 WSJ
After intense resistance from Capitol Hill and business groups, Trump administration tells lawmakers a withdrawal isn’t a priority
Malaysia hopes to upgrade trade deal with US during Najib’s visit
7-Sep-2017 Bernama
“Now without TPPA, we are thinking of having an upgraded version of TIFA with the US, as TIFA is an agreement to go towards the goal of establishing a free-trade agreement at the end,” Second International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan said
Indonesia expects to conclude four FTAs in 2017
7-Sep-2017 Jakarta Post
The government is optimistic that it will conclude four bilateral free trade agreements this year: comprehensive economic partnership agreements (CEPA) with Australia, the European Free Trade Association and Chile as well as a preferential trade agreement (PTA) with Iran.
Singapore and Indonesia to start discussions on new bilateral investment treaty
7-Sep-2017 CNA
Singapore and Indonesia are working towards a new agreement to promote investment in both countries, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced