Article 1

(Indian) Government considering special IPR enforcement courts

http://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k8/apr/apr353.php

India is in the process of setting up a special IP court system. Currently, there are delays in enforcement regarding IP rulings, but if a special court existed it would expedite the process drastically. Patent registrations have increased 10-times since 2003.

This reminds me specifically of what we read in McLeod's book about how India never wanted to get into this IP stuff. It seems now that they've been forced into it, they're going out of their way to make sure it's done right. They feel that that is what they must do in order fulfill their international obligations.

Article 2

Intellectual Property & Development

http://www.latinbusinesschronicle.com/app/article.aspx?id=2328

A big point that the article starts out making is that a country's rate of innovation depends directly on their protection of IP. This long article talks about piracy in Brazil and their support for increasing IP laws and enforcement in the area (with the help of the US). Apparently pirated copies of merchandise in areas without legal copies have increased prices and danger.

This also reminded me of excerpts from McLeod's book as well as the video we watched in class about the guy that made his own CDs. It sounds to me like this Latin American country is moving away from that and trying to go legit.

Article 3

US hoping for more cooperation on piracy

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/29Apr2008_news04.php

Thailand has been falling behind in keeping up with various IP regulations including compulsory licensing. They are currently failing to keep up with the World Trade Organization's IP regulations. The concern for this particular issue revolves around medicine for HIV and other diseases. Apparently Thailand's compulsory licenses and not contacting US pharmaceutical companies.

This reminded me again of McLeod's book and that special kind of patentable content that is genetic makeup that often lead to drugs (the good kind). If I'm understanding the article correctly, Thailand is coming up with drugs to help a disease as huge as HIV and not sharing
their research to help the world.