Latest news with #intellectualproperty
Zawya
an hour ago
- Business
- Zawya
Emirates Publishers Association secures observer status at WIPO's 66th General Assembly
Sharjah: In a significant international achievement reflecting the UAE's growing prominence in the global publishing sector, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has granted the Emirates Publishers Association observer status during the 66th General Assembly meetings held in Geneva from 8 to 17 July. The meetings saw participation from representatives of member states and intellectual property organisations worldwide. This recognition enables the Emirates Publishers Association to participate in the meetings of WIPO's member state assemblies, as well as the unions it oversees. Additionally, it provides the Association with the opportunity to participate in relevant committees, working groups, and subsidiary bodies, enabling it to actively contribute to global discussions and the development of policies related to publishing and intellectual property rights. In her comments on this achievement, Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Founder and Honorary President of the Emirates Publishers Association, said: 'Joining WIPO as an Observer marks a turning point for the Emirates Publishers Association and for Arab publishing as a whole. It ensures that the voices of our publishers and creators are heard in the global conversations on intellectual property and it reinforces our commitment to protecting creative rights while promoting access, innovation, and cultural diversity.' His Excellency Rashid Al Kous, Executive Director of the Emirates Publishers Association, expressed his pride in the accreditation, emphasising that the Association's observer status with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) marks a significant milestone in its journey to empower publishers on the global stage and further solidify the UAE's position as a regional hub for publishing and creativity. He added: 'The observer status will help us strengthen copyright protection and open new opportunities for local publishers to expand their scope for collaboration and knowledge exchange. We are committed to amplifying the UAE's voice on all issues related to the publishing industry and intellectual property rights, contributing to the development of these frameworks both regionally and globally, with a focus on fostering the future of creativity and content production.' This achievement represents a significant milestone in the Emirates Publishers Association's ongoing efforts to advocate for the publishing sector both locally and regionally. It underscores the association's commitment to providing professional support to UAE-based publishing houses in various Arab and international cultural forums. This recognition also coincides with the Association's ongoing efforts to refine the publishing framework within the UAE, enhance governing laws, and broaden legal protections for creative content. With a membership of over 360 UAE-based publishing houses, the Association works tirelessly to advance the publishing profession, promote a culture of reading, and support initiatives that encourage literacy and broaden access to knowledge. By joining WIPO, the Association takes an important step towards expanding its global influence and actively contributing to the development of a sustainable future for the creative sector in both the UAE and the broader Arab world.
Free Malaysia Today
a day ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
New twist in EU-China patents standoff at WTO
Brussels accused China, in a WTO case filed three years ago, of preventing European tech firms from accessing overseas patent courts. (Reuters pic) GENEVA : The European Union has obtained a mostly favourable ruling in one of its ongoing trade disputes with China over intellectual property, according to a decision published by the WTO Monday. Brussels first brought its case against China to the World Trade Organization three years ago, charging that Beijing was preventing European tech companies from using foreign courts to defend their patents. A panel of WTO experts set up in December 2022 to examine the case issued a ruling last April rejecting most of Brussels' claims, and saying it had not demonstrated that China's actions violated the global trade organisation's rules on intellectual property. But an arbitration body created as an alternative to WTO's moribund appellate system has now largely reversed that ruling. 'The arbitrators disagreed with the Panel's interpretation,' a Geneva-based trade official, who asked not to be identified, said, explaining the decision. The arbitrators, the official said, 'found that the main measure at issue – which empowered Chinese courts to prohibit patent holders from enforcing their patent rights in jurisdictions outside of China in the context of patent litigation in China – was inconsistent with TRIPS obligations concerning those patent rights'. TRIPS, or the WTO's Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights, sets minimum standards for IP protection among member states. Washington brought the WTO's own Appellate Body to a grinding halt in December 2019 through years of blocking the appointment of new judges. This has left many rulings by the WTO's lower Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) hanging, with dozens of dispute panel ruling so far appealed 'into the void'. In the meantime, nearly 30 WTO members, including the EU and China – but not the US – have developed an alternative appellate process allowing some cases move forward. The ruling published Monday was the second to date by the so-called Multi-Party Interim Appeal Arbitration Arrangement (MPIA). In their conclusion, the arbitrators said WTO members were obligated to implement the TRIPS agreement 'without frustrating the functioning of the systems of protection and enforcement of IP rights implemented by other Members in their respective territories'. 'Accordingly, we recommend that China bring into conformity with the TRIPS Agreement those measures found in this (decision), and in the Panel Report as modified by this (decision), to be inconsistent with that Agreement,' they said.
South China Morning Post
2 days ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
WTO reverses parts of previous decision in EU-China intellectual property dispute
World Trade Organization (WTO) arbitrators on Monday reversed part of a previous panel decision that had rejected the European Union's claims that China had violated the global watchdog's rules on intellectual property. Advertisement In April, a WTO panel rejected the EU's complaint, lodged in 2022, that China had violated the global watchdog's IP rules over patents for 3G, 4G and 5G mobile technology. However, it did say that China had failed to comply with all WTO transparency obligations. The EU appealed the case at the Multi-Party Appeal Arbitration Arrangement, a surrogate for the WTO's Appellate Body which was closed in 2019 after the United States repeatedly blocked judge appointments. On Monday, the arbitrators reversed part of the previous panel decision and found that the Chinese courts' prohibition of patent holders to enforce their patent rights in countries outside China, through the use of anti-suit injunctions, was not consistent with Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights rules concerning patent rights. The arbitrators upheld the previous findings on four issues but reversed the panel's findings on three issues. It has given China 90 days to remedy its measures to comply with WTO rules. Advertisement
Reuters
2 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
WTO reverses parts of previous decision in EU-China intellectual property dispute
July 21 (Reuters) - World Trade Organization arbitrators on Monday reversed part of a previous panel decision that had rejected the European Union's claims that China had violated the global watchdog's rules on intellectual property. In April, a WTO panel rejected the EU's complaint, lodged in 2022, that China had violated the global watchdog's IP rules over patents for 3G, 4G and 5G mobile technology. However, it did say that China had failed to comply with all WTO transparency obligations. The EU appealed the case at the Multi-Party Appeal Arbitration Arrangement - a surrogate for the WTO's Appellate Body which was shuttered in 2019 after the United States repeatedly blocked judge appointments. On Monday, the arbitrators reversed part of the previous panel decision and found that the Chinese courts' prohibition of patent holders to enforce their patent rights in countries outside of China, through the use of anti-suit injunctions, was not consistent with Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights rules concerning patent rights. The arbitrators upheld the previous findings on four issues but reversed the Panel's findings on three issues. It has given China 90 days to remedy its measures to comply with WTO rules.
Zawya
2 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
UAE and United States sign Statement of Intent to launch joint patent grant programme to enhance the efficiency of industrial property services
Abu Dhabi: The Ministry of Economy and Tourism and the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) signed a joint Statement of Intent to launch a programme aimed at accelerating patent grant procedures in the UAE. The agreement was formalised on the sidelines of the 66th series of meetings of the Assemblies of the Member States of WIPO, held in Geneva. His Excellency Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism, highlighted that the agreement reflects the UAE's commitment to enhancing the competitiveness of its intellectual property (IP) system by embracing international best practices, particularly in the field of industrial property and patent registration systems. It delivers flexible and effective services that foster innovation, support entrepreneurship, and reinforce the UAE's position as a regional IP rights protection hub. H.E. noted that the partnership with the American side marks a new milestone in accelerating patent grants by fostering international collaboration and adopting advanced operational models. The initiative ensures faster and more effective protection for inventors and entrepreneurs, thereby creating a stimulating environment for innovation and investment in knowledge-based and technological sectors, and preparing the UAE for a future economy driven by creativity. Under the terms of the Statement of Intent, the programme will establish cooperation mechanisms to recognise positive examination results issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office for corresponding UAE patent applications that comply with national laws. The collaboration forms part of the Ministry's efforts to enhance the industrial property ecosystem, improve procedural efficiency, and provide flexible, high-quality services to inventors in support of the country's business environment. -Ends-
