Advocating for a world where intellectual
property law serves the public interest.

UNESCO Creates Global Open Access Portal

Last year, the United Nation’s Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organizagtion (UNESCO) announced the creation of the Global Open Access Portal, a project that aims to map the landscape of open access to scholarly and scientific information around the world. Funded by Colombia, Denmark, Norway, and the U.S., the portal is “designed to provide the necessary […]

Serbia Willing to Implement ACTA to Join the EU

Branka Totić, Director of the Serbian Intellectual Property Office, says that Serbia is prepared to ratify ACTA as part of its efforts to joint the European Union, assuming the existing Member States ratify the Agreement and it comes into force. Reports EuroActiv Serbia: “Totić dismissed fears that ACTA could lead to infringement of citizens rights, privacy and data protection […]

Slovenia Delays ACTA Ratification

Agence France Presse reports that Slovenian government spokesman Anze Logar has told journalists that the government will delay ratification of the Anticounterfeiting Trade Agreement until debate of the agreement is settled in the European Union. “It would be senseless to prejudge the outcome of that debate,” he said. Author Mike Palmedo Mike Palmedo is the […]

Public Citizen’s Comparative Analysis of the U.S. Intellectual Property Proposal and Australian Law

Public Citizen has published “Dangers for Access to Medicines in the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement: Comparative Analysis of the U.S. Intellectual Property Proposal and Australian Law.” Click here for the report. Author Peter Maybarduk Peter Maybarduk is Public Citizen’s Global Access to Medicines Program Director. Maybarduk helps governments and civil society groups around the world use […]

Ukraine Launches WTO Dispute With Australia Over Tobacco Packaging Law

On Tuesday, the Ukraine initiated a formal trade dispute with Australia through the WTO’s Dispute Settlement System. The Ukraine alleges that Australia’s Plain Packaging Act, which provides that “no trade mark may appear anywhere on a tobacco product” violates TRIPS (and other trade agreement) rules on trademarks. Author Mike Palmedo Mike Palmedo is the admin […]

Open Access and Scholarly Publishing: Opportunities and Challenges to Nigerian Researchers

AUTHORS: Oghenetega Ivwighreghweta and Oghenovo Kelvin Onoriode, Western Delta University Nigeria ABSTRACT: The study examined the extent of researchers’ appreciation of open access scholarly publishing. It discussed the opportunities and the benefits of open access to scholars worldwide. Challenges of OA were discussed and solutions suggested. Four research questions were raised. The population of this […]