http://www.wipo.int/portal/en/news/ WIPO News http://www.wipo.int/portal/en/news/2008/article_0033.html Non-traditional marks, such as holograms and scent marks, trademark opposition procedures, and questions relating to the registration of industrial designs topped the agenda of the WIPO Standing Committee on the Law of Trademarks, Industrial Designs and Geographical Indications (SCT), which met from July 21 to 25. WIPO WIPO 2008-07-31 http://www.wipo.int/portal/en/news/2008/article_0032.html Increased patent filings in North East Asian countries (mainly China and the Republic of Korea) and in the US drove growth in worldwide filing of patent applications, which topped 1.76 million in 2006, representing a 4.9% increase over 2005, according to the 2008 edition of the WIPO World Patent Report. WIPO WIPO 2008-07-31 http://www.wipo.int/portal/en/news/2008/article_0031.html At its second meeting from July 7-11, the CDIP took forward its discussions of a work program for implementation of the recommendations approved by the General Assembly. WIPO WIPO 2008-07-15 http://www.wipo.int/portal/en/news/2008/article_0030.html Member states of the Standing Committee on the Law of Patents (SCP), meeting from June 23 to 26, began a comprehensive review of issues relating to the international patent system. WIPO WIPO 2008-06-27 http://www.wipo.int/portal/en/news/2008/article_0029.html Following the accession on June 16 of the African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI) to the Geneva Act of the Hague Agreement, users will be able to file a single application for the registration of their industrial designs in all 16 OAPI countries as well as in all the other member countries of the Geneva Act. WIPO WIPO 2008-06-18 http://www.wipo.int/portal/en/news/2008/article_0027.html The pilot program, to be launched in September, will assist indigenous communities to document and digitize their own cultural traditions, archive this heritage for future generations, and safeguard their interests in authorizing the use of their recordings and traditions by third parties. WIPO WIPO 2008-05-21 http://www.wipo.int/portal/en/news/2008/article_0026.html Mr. Francis Gurry, a national of Australia, was nominated by the WIPO Coordination Committee on May 13 to become the next Director General of WIPO. The candidate will have to be appointed by the WIPO General Assembly at its next meeting from September 22 to 30. WIPO WIPO 2008-05-14 http://www.wipo.int/portal/en/news/2008/article_0025.html WIPO Director General Kamil Idris said the Development Plan, signed on May 7, offered a comprehensive and coherent approach to establishing a robust IP framework that would support Ghana’s development objectives. WIPO WIPO 2008-05-09 http://www.wipo.int/portal/en/news/2008/article_0024.html This month's issue includes: IP strategies of an SME in the textile industry; environmental technology transfer in Nigeria; green branding; pursuing the P2P pirates; a day in the life of an IP blogger; marine genetic resources and more. WIPO WIPO 2008-04-29 http://www.wipo.int/portal/en/news/2008/article_0023.html In his message for World IP Day (April 26), WIPO Director General Kamil Idris pays tribute to the innovators and creators whose works make life richer; and calls for respect for the IP rights which they have earned. WIPO WIPO 2008-04-22