IPTango

Wednesday, 20 January 2010

IP Tango: time for a change?

Jeremy January 20, 2010 3 comments:

Yesterday the IP Tango team spent a great deal of time corresponding with each other over the appearance of the blog. In particular

* was it time for a change?
* should the weblog look more "professional"?
* would it look better with another template -- if so, which one?
* what colour should it be?

Today I have taken my life in my hands and have changed both the template and the colour. I've also put a poll in the IP Tango side bar, so that readers can place their comments. Please do let us know what you think, since your opinion means a great deal to us. Bear in mind also that I can easily put the blog back into its original template (or any other one) if that is the will of the readership.

The EU meeting with Latin America: will be May the month to see Association Agreements between the two?

Patricia Covarrubia January 19, 2010 No comments:

Newspapers from different countries appear to have woken up with optimistic moods. From two different Latin America blocs I examined that Mercosur and the nations of Isthmus are confident to resume negotiations on Association Agreements between the blocs.

The proposal comes after the Spain Deputy Prime Minister Maria Teresa Fernandez de la Vega, asked the European Commission President José Manuel Barroso, to resume negotiations and to reach an agreement with Latin American blocs during the Spanish presidency. The proposal is to sign the agreements during the Ibero-American summit to be held in Madrid in May.

There appears to be a consensus of willingness, but is this enough?

Starting with MERCOSUR (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay), this exchange offer was launched in 2001, but after many ideas and dialogue, the talks ended in 2004. Last week, during a speech to the European Parliament, the EU trade commissioner (designated), Karel de Gucht said he favoured continuation of the negotiations with Mercosur. He extended his view by saying: "We are ready to resume negotiations as long as our partners are ready too".
However, according to Gustavo Martín Prada, EU ambassador in Argentina and returning to Brussels to take charge of the Department of Latin American Affairs, he explained that the challenging matters do remain the same: for Mercosur, the sensitive issues are some industries, services and also intellectual property; for the EU, the sensitive issue is agriculture.

Moving on, the nations of Isthmus (Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Panamá) had already started negotiations but were suspended after the coup in Honduras (June 2009). The EU Commissioner, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, who is visiting Guatemala, is urging to resume negotiations between both blocs. She says: "We are firmly committed to completing a successful deal (...), both sides must be flexible and sensible.
However, Mario Yarzebski, coordinator of the Business for International Negotiations, says that it takes "more than willing, since an offer was presented by the Isthmus nations and the EU has not replied”.

I do have to agree with Mr Yarsebski, ‘it takes more than willing’. Nevertheless, ‘it needs two to tango’ and as far as both (blocs) are trying to coordinate their dancing steps to do a perfect routine, well then I believe that the prospect looks hopeful.

Click here for an early post regarding the EU and both Peru and Colombia's Free Trade Agreement which also mention IP as a sensitive issue.

Mexican Supreme Court pharma patent ruling

Jeremy January 19, 2010 No comments:

Via Phil Cox (Director, Global Law Marketing) comes this information from Mexican IP law specialists Olivares & Cia, which acted for the successful party in proceedings which ended with a ruling by the Mexican Supreme on Wednesday of last week that pharma companies will be able to protect not only compound pharma products but also product patents covering pharmaceutical formulations:

"... After six years of linkage regulation in Mexico, which was intended to avoid the infringement of pharmaceutical patents, ... the Mexican Supreme Court issued its decision on the opposing criteria held by three Mexican Circuit Courts regarding the interpretation of the linkage regulation, particularly, the dilemma of whether the linkage system is limited to compound patents or if product patents covering pharmaceutical formulations should also be listed. The Supreme Court ruled that formulation patents should be listed in the linkage gazette; in consequence, these patents are to be observed by the Mexican Health Authority (COFEPRIS) prior to granting marketing authorizations.

Background

Back in 2003, the linkage regulation was enhanced in article 147 Bis of the Mexican Industrial Property Regulations and article 167 Bis of the Health Regulation. Under the cited provisions, the Mexican Patent Office (IMPI) is bound to publish a specific gazette every six months, listing those patents in force that cover allopathic medicines.

Inter alia, COPEPRIS is bound to observe the patents which are listed in the gazette according to the generic name of the active ingredient, prior to granting marketing authorizations to third parties different to the titleholder, and alternatively request additional information to the applicant. In case of doubt of an eventual violation of patent rights, COFEPRIS can request technical support from IMPI, regarding the scope of the patent rights.

The Mexican Linkage Regulation only excludes from the Gazette those patents that cover processes of manufacture and formulation of drugs. Since the date in which the linkage was in force, under a wrong and limited interpretation, IMPI only published patents covering active ingredients per se, excluding from the linkage gazette patents covering pharmaceutical formulations and medical uses. ...

After two Circuit Courts out of sixteen ruled that the linkage system is limited to compound patents. The Mexican Supreme Court deemed appropriate to decide which of the opposing criteria should prevail.

It is important to mention that the inclusion of formulation patents in the linkage gazette provides a preventive measure to avoid that the Mexican Health Authorities would grant marketing authorizations which may fall within scope of the listed patents, and, in addition, the publication provides the following benefits:
a) Prevents patent infringement;
b) It’s a valuable source of information to third parties wishing to obtain authorizations for generic drugs, in order to know the full scope of opposable patents.
c) Proves that the patent is in full force and that it covers a product, namely an allopathic medicines. In the event of an infringement action, the publication will help to prove that the patent of interest covers a specific pharmaceutical formulation, therefore no expert opinion would be required during the proceeding.
d) In case that the linkage gazette is not observed by Health Authorities, the publication of patents is also useful to challenge marketing authorizations for the patented formulations granted to third parties without authorization of the patent holder.
e) The Linkage Gazette is also informative in public acquisition processes, to confirm that the product to be acquired is covered by a patent, especially when the patent of formulation listed in the gazette matches with the description of the product in the National Formulary for purchases of medicines by the Mexican Government.

The Supreme Court decision will be considered as a highly relevant precedent to all the Federal Circuit Courts and the District Courts in Mexico, which means that if IMPI and COFEPRIS disregard formulation patents from the linkage system, they would be ordered to list or observe the patent by court orders, provided that the applicable prongs are met".

IP Border Measures

Patricia Covarrubia January 18, 2010 3 comments:

Last week the blog brought you some news regarding counterfeit medicines. In the same article, it was posted a moot question enquiring generic medicines and the scope of IP legislation when the medicines were placed in other countries.

Thanks to Xavier Seuba , the IP Tango blog is now aware of a working paper which examines the nature of this situation (the paper was commissioned by the International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development (ICTSD) and written by Xavier himself). While the paper, titled “Border Measures Concerning Goods Allegedly Infringing Intellectual Property Rights: The Seizures of Generic Medicines in Transit”, focuses and analyses the EC Regulations, it is indeed of help for the Latin American countries. This is so, because the document studies the territorial nature of IPRs as well as the WTO obligations and the TRIPS agreement and of course the matter of free trade.

I do not doubt that the paper as such is good material for those of you who work in this area. I do indeed recommend the article and you can benefit from it here.

EE.UU. bloquea azúcar de Costa Rica por no reformar su ley de Propiedad Intelectual.

Gilberto Macias (@gmaciasb) January 18, 2010 1 comment:

Interesante noticia sobre un nuevo capítulo de los conflictos que surgen en relación con la protección de la propiedad intelectual, para algunos inapropiada y para otros tan excesiva.

Según reportan varios medios los Estados Unidos han bloqueado la entrada de azúcar desde Costa Rica, el motivo, pues que dicho país no ha añadido las modificaciones a sus leyes de propiedad intelectual según lo pactado en el Tratado de Libre Comercio (TLC). Cabe decir que dichas modificaciones son necesarias para que se produzca la aprobación definitiva del TLC.

El bloqueo es la nueva forma de los estadounidenses para ejercer presión a Costa Rica para que acepte las medidas pactadas en el TLC en materia de propiedad intelectual. Los ticos no han realizado dichas modificaciones por considerarlas demasiado duras y porque traerían consecuencias negativas para su sociedad.

Más información aquí y aquí.

Diego Maradona: an image that sells

Patricia Covarrubia January 15, 2010 2 comments:

Today’s news (el Nuevo Herald) refers to Maradona, one of the world greatest footballers – a legend, who is preparing to open his own cable TV and internet.

The launch is taken place in Mexico, and Cavalti, one of his partners in this project, said that the programmes will mainly focus in sports, entertainment, fashion and celebrities. He also mentioned that the revenues will come from subscriptions and through advertising and sponsorships.

The channel will carry Maradona’s image and be called ‘10 ETV’. The name comes from his famous T-shirt number and the letter E referring to entertainment. Maradona, himself will have few shows.

For those of you who follow football know that Maradona will be coaching the Argentinean team in the World Cup. And for those of you who have followed his career know that he is known as an outspoken person and quite controversial. In 2005 he hosted a TV program in Argentina called ‘La noche del 10" in which he interviewed Pelé, Mike Tyson, Fidel Castro and Robbie Williams winning all rankings.

Significance:
While many IP practitioners and academics still debate the protection of ‘personality rights’ and/or ‘celebrity image’ one thing is certain, celebrity’s images are exploited and they are profitable. This technique, long used, allows a person or company (in this case it will be the TV channel and internet) to take advantage of Madona’s image. Clearly it will be used to promote and sell these services.

This type of right comprised two matters: one which is the right to publicity and the other, the right to privacy. I will focus on the first. With the World Cup coming up, I wonder how Maradona can keep his image and likeness from being commercially exploited by other channels, specifically those in Argentina. Certainly, there is a fine line. However, it is clear that Maradona cannot create a monopoly right in his popularity. In another line, where does the Argentinian channel in which Maradona recorded programs stands? can it keep repeating the programs and perhaps marketing his image?

Chile: el Senado vota a favor de la reforma de la LPI

Aurelio Lopez-Tarruella Martinez January 14, 2010 No comments:

El 13 de enero el Senado chileno aprobó el veto presidencial a la modificación de la Ley de Propiedad Intelectual, relativo a una norma especial que regula la reunión de personas para la comisión de delitos contra los derechos de autor y las disposiciones que regulan algunos aspectos de la responsabilidad de los prestadores de servicios en Internet. Con este trámite legislativo la nueva ley de Propiedad Intelectual de Chile está en condiciones de ser promulgada por la Presidenta de la República, para luego proceder a su publicación y entrada en vigencia.

En cuanto a la regulación de los prestadores de servicios de internet se modificó el proyecto de norma que establecía que bastaba sólo una notificación para sacar de Internet un contenido, lo que fue considerado como una norma demasiada arbitraria ya que los servidores podían actuar como censores del material, prescribiéndose, en cambio, que para que un contenido sea sacado de Internet o de un portador, siempre se requerirá de una medida prejudicial o judicial, normativa que es acorde con el sistema constitucional chileno.

Una revisión completa de la historia de la ley, aquí.

Prepared by Rodrigo Ramirez (Abogado de Ramos Pazos, Montecinos & Díez, Chile), posted by Aurelio

México: El ACTA y la privacidad en Internet

Gilberto Macias (@gmaciasb) January 14, 2010 No comments:

El Gobierno de México está en busca de puntos de vista de mexicanos sobre el Acuerdo_Comercial_Anti-Falsificación (ACTA), acuerdo que, entre otras cosas, pretende combatir la piratería a base de la restricción a enviar información por medio de Internet.

Pero dicha restricción podría perjudicar la privacidad en Internet de los usuarios, de ahí que el propio Senado de la República, que debe ratificar este acuerdo antes de ser firmado por el gobierno federal, ha solicitado un informe del contenido preliminar de dicho acuerdo al Secretario de Economía y al IMPI.

Se ha solicitado también la lista de los participantes en esta negociación, los países incluidos, las obligaciones de los prestadores de servicios y nombres de los funcionarios y empresas a que representan por parte de las diferentes industrias convocadas a las negociaciones, incluida la correspondiente a llevarse a cabo en México.

El temor entre los senadores, es que con el ACTA los prestadores de servicio se vean obligados a analizar los documentos que envían los usuarios con el fin de proteger los derechos de propiedad intelectual y las consecuencias de esta medida.

De momento ya hay noticias sobre algunos movimientos en contra del ACTA en blogs y redes sociales, que piden que el texto del acuerdo sea dado a conocer abiertamente.

Más información aquí, aquí y aquí.

Argentina: custom confiscates counterfeit medicines

Patricia Covarrubia January 13, 2010 No comments:

A shipment originating from China was seized by the Customs at the port of Buenos Aires. The container was allegedly carrying electric lamps but instead they found 400,000 tablets of counterfeit medicines (info here).

The Federal Administration of Public Revenue informed that the medicines were printed with the trade marks Viagra and Cialis. The Federal Court ordered an analysis of the goods and the result showed that the tablets were adulterated. In addition, Pfizer, the firm that owns the license to manufacture this product, ratified the result.
The National Court of Criminal Economic 1, took over the case; the cause of action being contraband and counterfeit medicines.

Moot question:
If a determined firm produces a medicine which is already patented but under a compulsory license and happens to export that medicine to a country that does not carry the same policy in that particular medicine, what will be the cause of action brought by the latter country? Certainly it will be an illegal import but will it be counterfeit medicines? Also clearly at this stage is that the medicines are genuine and there is not passing off. What do you think? I would love to hear your opinions.

Mexico: OECD recommends science secretariat

Patricia Covarrubia January 13, 2010 No comments:

As you might have heard, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development(OECD) is an organisation that unites different governments around the world (currently 31 members). The aim is to support and to raise their economic growth. Hence, the OECD is observant of matters such as trade, environment, agriculture, technology, taxation, among others. It collects data and also monitors and analyses the country’s economic development.

The OECD recommended that Mexico should create a new secretariat which will enhance scientific development and innovation in the country. This suggest dividing the Secretariat of Public Education (SEP) and transforming the National Council of Science and Technology (CONACYT) in the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology. The measure is proposed due to a mixture of distorted policies.

Added to this, last September, during his latest visit to Mexico, the secretary general of the world organization, the Mexican Jose Angel Gurría, presented the government of President Calderon, "Studies of the OECD Innovation Policy. Mexico ". He explained that the country’s low productivity and loss of competitiveness is due to low investment in technology and research. It also calls for reforming the National System of Researchers (SNI) due to low productivity which is measured by the number of research publications and patents registered in the country.

With both Chile and Mexico as members, and the ever closer co-operation with Brazil, the OECD has substantially strengthened its links with Latin America.