Intellectual property
Inde - Protection conférée par un brevet pour les produits pharmaceutiques et les produits chimiques pour l’agriculture
Le 24 août 1998 l’OMC a publié le rapport du Groupe spécial dans l’affaire “Inde - Protection conférée par un brevet pour les produits pharmaceutiques et les produits chimiques pour l’agriculture”.
Arabia Saudita, Reino de la - Medidas relativas a la protección de derechos de propiedad intelectual
El 16 de junio de 2020 la OMC distribuyó el informe del Grupo Especial encargado de la diferencia planteada por Qatar en el asunto “Arabia Saudita — Medidas relativas a la protección de derechos de propiedad intelectual” (DS567).
Canada - Term of Patent Protection
On 6 May 1999 the US requested consultations with Canada in respect of the term of protection granted to patents that were filed in Canada before 1 October 1989. The US contended that the TRIPS Agreement obligates Members to grant a term of protection for patents that runs at least until twenty years after the filing date of the underlying protection and requires each Member to grant this minimum term to all patents existing as of the date of the application of the Agreement to that Member. The US alleged that under the Canadian Patent Act the term granted to patents issued on the basis of applications filed before 1 October 1989 is 17 years from the date on which the patent is issued. The US contended that this situation is inconsistent with Articles 33 65 and 70 of the TRIPS Agreement.
Communautés européennes - Mesures relatives à la protection des marques et indications géographiques pour les produits agricoles et les denrées alimentaires
Le 15 mars 2005 l’OMC a publié le rapport du Groupe spécial dans l’affaire “Communautés européennes - Mesures relatives à la protection des marques et indications géographiques pour les produits agricoles et les denrées alimentaires”.
China - Measures Affecting the Protection and Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights
On 10 April 2007 the United States requested consultations with China concerning certain measures pertaining to the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights in China.
Canada - Term of Patent Protection
On 6 May 1999 the US requested consultations with Canada in respect of the term of protection granted to patents that were filed in Canada before 1 October 1989. The US contended that the TRIPS Agreement obligates Members to grant a term of protection for patents that runs at least until twenty years after the filing date of the underlying protection and requires each Member to grant this minimum term to all patents existing as of the date of the application of the Agreement to that Member. The US alleged that under the Canadian Patent Act the term granted to patents issued on the basis of applications filed before 1 October 1989 is 17 years from the date on which the patent is issued. The US contended that this situation is inconsistent with Articles 33 65 and 70 of the TRIPS Agreement.
United States - Section 211 Omnibus Appropriations Act of 1998
On 8 July 1999 the European Communities requested consultations with the United States in respect of Section 211 of the US Omnibus Appropriations Act. The EC and its member States alleged as follows: - Section 211 which was signed into law on 21 October 1998 did not allow the registration or renewal in the United States of a trademark if it was previously abandoned by a trademark owner whose business and assets have been confiscated under Cuban law. - This law provided that no US court shall recognize or enforce any assertion of such rights. - Section 211 US Omnibus Appropriations Act was not in conformity with the US’ obligations under the TRIPS Agreement notably its Article 2 in conjunction with the Paris Convention Article 3 Article 4 Articles 15 to 21 Article 41 Article 42 and Article 62
États-Unis - Article 110 5) de la Loi sur le droit d’auteur
Le 15 juin 2000 l’OMC a publié le rapport du Groupe spécial dans l’affaire “États-Unis - Article 110 5) de la Loi sur le droit d’auteur”.
Australie - Certaines mesures concernant les marques de fabrique ou de commerce, les indications géographiques et autres prescriptions en matière d’emballage neutre applicables aux produits du tabac et à leur emballage
Le 28 juin 2014 l’OMC a distribué le rapport du Groupe spécial dans les affaires introduites par le Honduras la République dominicaine Cuba et l’Indonésie “Australie — Certaines mesures concernant les marques de fabrique ou de commerce les indications géographiques et autres prescriptions en matière d’emballage neutre applicables aux produits du tabac et à leur emballage” (DS435 DS441 DS458 et DS467)
Comunidades Europeas - Protección de las marcas de fábrica o de comercio y las indicaciones geográficas en el caso de los productos agrícolas y los productos alimenticios
El 15 de marzo de 2005 la OMC hizo público el informe del Grupo especial sobre el caso “Comunidades Europeas - Protección de las marcas de fábrica o de comercio y las indicaciones geográficas en el caso de los productos agrícolas y los productos alimenticios”.
United States - Section 211 Omnibus Appropriations Act of 1998
On 8 July 1999 the European Communities requested consultations with the United States in respect of Section 211 of the US Omnibus Appropriations Act. The EC and its member States alleged as follows: - Section 211 which was signed into law on 21 October 1998 did not allow the registration or renewal in the United States of a trademark if it was previously abandoned by a trademark owner whose business and assets have been confiscated under Cuban law. - This law provided that no US court shall recognize or enforce any assertion of such rights. - Section 211 US Omnibus Appropriations Act was not in conformity with the US’ obligations under the TRIPS Agreement notably its Article 2 in conjunction with the Paris Convention Article 3 Article 4 Articles 15 to 21 Article 41 Article 42 and Article 62
China- Medidas que afectan a la protección y observancia de los derechos de propiedad intelectual
El 26 de enero de 2009 la OMC hizo público el informe del Grupo especial sobre el caso “China- Medidas que afectan a la protección y observancia de los derechos de propiedad intelectual”.
European Communities - Protection of Trademarks and Geographical Indications for Agricultural Products and Foodstuffs
On 1 June 1999 the US requested consultations with the EC in respect of the alleged lack of protection of trademarks and geographical indications (GIs) for agricultural products and foodstuffs in the EC. The US contended that EC Regulation 2081/92 as amended does not provide national treatment with respect to geographical indications and does not provide sufficient protection to pre-existing trademarks that are similar or identical to a geographical indication. The US considered this situation to be inconsistent with the EC’s obligations under the TRIPS Agreement including but not necessarily limited to Articles 3 16 24 63 and 65 of the TRIPS Agreement...
United States - Section 110(5) of the US Copyright Act
On 26 January 1999 the European Communities requested consultations with the United States in respect of Section 110(5) of the US Copyright Act as amended by the Fairness in Music Licensing Act which was enacted on 27 October 1998. The European Communities contended that Section 110(5) of the US Copyright Act permits under certain conditions the playing of radio and television music in public places (bars shops restaurants etc.) without the payment of a royalty fee. The European Communities considered that this statute is inconsistent with US obligations under Article 9(1) of the TRIPS Agreement which requires Members to comply with Articles 1-21 of the Berne Convention. The dispute centred on the compatibility of two exemptions provided for in Section 110(5) of the US Copyright Act with Article 13 of the TRIPS Agreement which allows certain limitations or exceptions to exclusive rights of copyright holders subject to the condition that such limitations are confined to certain special cases do not conflict with a normal exploitation of the work in question and do not unreasonably prejudice the legitimate interests of the right holder: The so-called “business” exemption provided for in sub-paragraph (B) of Section 110(5) essentially allows the amplification of music broadcasts without an authorization and a payment of a fee by food service and drinking establishments and by retail establishments provided that their size does not exceed a certain square footage limit. It also allows such amplification of music broadcasts by establishments above this square footage limit provided that certain equipment limitations are met. The so-called “homestyle” exemption provided for in sub-paragraph (A) of Section 110(5) allows small restaurants and retail outlets to amplify music broadcasts without an authorization of the right holders and without the payment of a fee provided that they use only homestyle equipment (i.e. equipment of a kind commonly used in private homes).
India - Protección mediante patente de los productos farmacéuticos y los productos químicos para la agricultura
El 24 de agosto de 1998 la OMC hizo público el informe del Grupo especial sobre el caso “India - Protección mediante patente de los productos farmacéuticos y los productos químicos para la agricultura”.
European Communities - Protection of Trademarks and Geographical Indications for Agricultural Products and Foodstuffs
On 1 June 1999 the US requested consultations with the EC in respect of the alleged lack of protection of trademarks and geographical indications (GIs) for agricultural products and foodstuffs in the EC. The US contended that EC Regulation 2081/92 as amended does not provide national treatment with respect to geographical indications and does not provide sufficient protection to pre-existing trademarks that are similar or identical to a geographical indication. The US considered this situation to be inconsistent with the EC’s obligations under the TRIPS Agreement including but not necessarily limited to Articles 3 16 24 63 and 65 of the TRIPS Agreement...
Comunidades Europeas - Medidas relacionadas con la protección de las marcas de fábrica o de comercio y las indicaciones geográficas en el caso de los productos agrícolas y los productos alimenticios
El 15 de marzo de 2005 la OMC hizo público el informe del Grupo especial sobre el caso “Comunidades Europeas - Medidas relacionadas con la protección de las marcas de fábrica o de comercio y las indicaciones geográficas en el caso de los productos agrícolas y los productos alimenticios”.
India - Patent Protection for Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Chemical Products
On 7 April 1997 the US requested consultations with Japan in respect of the latter’s prohibition under quarantine measures of imports of certain agricultural products. The US alleged that Japan prohibits the importation of each variety of a product requiring quarantine treatment until the quarantine treatment has been tested for that variety even if the treatment has proved to be effective for other varieties of the same product. The US alleged violations of Articles 2 5 and 8 of the SPS Agreement Article XI of GATT 1994 and Article 4 of the Agreement on Agriculture. In addition the US made a claim for nullification and impairment of benefits.
Canada - Durée de la protection conférée par un brevet
Le 05 mai 2000 l’OMC a publié le rapport du Groupe spécial dans l’affaire “Canada - Durée de la protection conférée par un brevet”.
Canadá - Período de protección mediante patente
El 18 de septiembre de 2000 el Órgano de Apelación hizo público el informe sobre el caso “Canadá - Período de protección mediante patente”.