Latest news with #WIPO
Al Bawaba
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Al Bawaba
Sudan appoints Kamil Idris as new PM after years of leadership vacuum
Published May 19th, 2025 - 06:16 GMT An accomplished academic, Idris has held teaching positions in international law, jurisprudence, and philosophy at institutions including Cairo University, Ohio University, Khartoum University, and Beijing University ALBAWABA- Sudan's Sovereignty Council has appointed veteran diplomat and legal scholar Dr. Kamil Al-Tayeb Idris as the country's new Prime Minister, marking the first such appointment since the resignation of Abdullah Hamdouk in 2021. Also Read Khartoum announces putting out Port Sudan fire The announcement was made by General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, Chairman of the Sovereignty Council, as Sudan grapples with ongoing political turmoil and conflict. ⭕️ رئيس مجلس السيادة يصدر مرسوماً دستورياً يقضي بتعيين د.كامل الطيب إدريس عبدالحفيظ رئيسا لمجلس الوزراء بورتسودان ١٩-٥-٢٠٢٥م — مجلس السيادة الإنتقالي - السودان (@TSC_SUDAN) May 19, 2025 Idris's appointment signals a potential shift toward institutional leadership after years of military-dominated governance and stalled civilian transitions. Dr. Idris brings a distinguished international and academic background to the role. He previously served as Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and as Secretary General of the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV). He was also a member of the United Nations International Law Commission. An accomplished academic, Idris has held teaching positions in international law, jurisprudence, and philosophy at institutions including Cairo University, Ohio University, Khartoum University, and Beijing University, where he was named an honorary professor of law. His appointment comes at a critical time as Sudan faces not only political fragmentation but also widespread humanitarian and security crises. © 2000 - 2025 Al Bawaba (
Forbes
11-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
What Is Cybersquatting? Understanding the Digital Threat
Cybersquatting can have serious implications for its victims, from reputational damage to financial ... More losses and lawsuits. Cybersquatting — the use of fraudulent internet domains — is a technique used by criminals mainly to take advantage of the victim's trademark and brand. It's also used as a technique for data theft or fraud, and sometimes the aim is to sell the domain back to the company or individual that's being impersonated. Cybersquatting is less common than it used to be, thanks to greater awareness amongst firms keen to protect their brand, but still happens pretty often: in 2024, the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center handled nearly 6,200 cases. We look at the different types of cybersquatting, and how to protect your brand. Cybersquatting refers to the practice of registering a domain name that's identical or similar to a genuine domain. The domain name might, for example, be company_name.com, where the real firm uses Sometimes, though rarely, cybersquatters will find a business that has no registered domain at all, making their job even easier. There are various motivations for cybersquatters, from financial to malicious, and a cybersquatted domain can cause serious reputational loss as well as money. The fake site may, for example, host phishing scams, sell counterfeit products or take payment without fulfilling orders. Victims are usually companies — often well-known brands — but occasionally a high-profile individual may be targeted to cause them reputational damage. There are several types of cybersquatting, with different motivations and techniques. They range from typosquatting — exploiting common misspellings of words or company names — to the impersonation of famous figures. In some cases, cybersquatters take a bulk approach to their activities, registering dozens of domains, or automatically monitoring numerous companies in case their domain name registrations lapse. In other cases, they hold firms to ransom, demanding money in return for handing over the domain. Typosquatting involves buying and registering domain names that are common misspellings of real ones. Sometimes, these involve frequently misspelled words, sometimes they're common typos. The aim of typosquatting is usually to collect personal data or download malware onto the victim's device — for example, when in 2006, typosquatters registered installing a dodgy antivirus program. The case was settled out of court. In another set of examples, several candidates in the 2020 U.S. presidential election had fake URLs that were close to their names set up, spreading misinformation or hosting fake fundraising pages. Some cybersquatters will register domains associated with public figures, celebrities or even sometimes their enemies. The aim may be to piggyback off the victim's success to, for example, spread spam or malware or to damage their reputation. It's one of the most popular types of cybersquatting. In one example, back in 2000, Madonna successfully sued a cybersquatter who had registered and used it to host porn, and gained control of the domain. Identity theft is the most basic form of cybersquatting: registering a domain that's a variation of a company's name to impersonate it. The website may mimic a legitimate site to harvest personal or financial information for the purposes of fraud. It may also sell counterfeit products. In 2007, Dell took legal action against three website registrar firms, accusing them of unlawfully registering and profiting from 1,100 domain names that were similar to Dell's own trademarks. In reverse cybersquatting, the cybersquatters attempot to make sure that their fraudulent website can't be taken away. After picking a target, they register a business with the same or a very similar name. They can then register that domain and trademark rights, enabling them to argue that they have a legitimate right to the domain. They may even attempt to argue that the real business is the cybersquatter. In domain name warehousing, would-be cybersquatters monitor domain names that are about to expire — and try to jump in and register them themselves if the owner fails to do it in time. They can then hold the original owner to ransom, demanding money to reassign the domain name. To increase the pressure, they may threaten to misuse the website in the meantime. In one example last year, a British digital marketing expert was able to buy Reform party leader Nigel Farage's and redirect it to Michel Barnier's website — just for fun. Most countries have laws against cybersquatting, allowing organizations to gain control of cybersquatted domain names and seek damages against the registered holder. In the US., cybersquatting is covered by the Anti-Cybersquatting Consumer Protection Act of 1999, while the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) has enforcement powers against domain name infringements. Meanwhile, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Arbitration and Mediation Center will transfer or cancel a domain name if it's identical or confusingly similar to a trademark over which the complainant has rights, and the domain name has been registered and is being used in bad faith. There are a number of risks associated with cybersquatting. One of the most obvious is reputational damage. Potential customers taken to sites filled with spam, misinformation or malicious software will lose faith in the brand. Meanwhile, customers visiting the fake site aren't visiting the real one, leading to loss of sales. Cybersquatting can also lead to data breaches, tricking visitors into providing sensitive information such as passwords or payment details. This exposes companies to legal fees, fines and the costs of damage control. And with many cybersquatters attempting to sell their fake domain name back to the legitimate website owner, there can also be a high direct price to pay. The way to avoid cybersquatting is, of course, to make sure you snap up every domain name that could be associated with your organization. That means not just your main domain, but also all possible variations, including common misspellings. And if, for example, your domain is you should also register other common top-level domains, such as .net, .biz or .org, along with country-specific extensions. You should also register your business name as a trademark, which will give you clear grounds to file a case. And you should monitor regularly to check whether domains similar to yours have been registered — there are a number of services that do this and will issue alerts. Finally, make sure you renew your genuine domain, along with the alternates, to make sure cybersquatters don't spot them expiring and snap them up. Bottom Line Cybersquatting can have serious implications for its victims, from reputational damage to financial losses and lawsuits. It's possible to protect your brand from such attacks — and take legal recourse if it happens — but staying safe from cybersquatting takes initial effort and continuous monitoring.
Hans India
26-04-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Celebrating World Intellectual Property Day 2025: History, Significance, Theme, and More
Every year on April 26, World Intellectual Property Day is celebrated to recognise the critical role of intellectual property (IP) in driving innovation and protecting creators. The day serves as a reminder of how IP rights contribute to cultural, technological, and economic growth worldwide. Organisers and Purpose The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), a specialised self-funding agency of the United Nations, leads the celebration each year. Through this observance, WIPO aims to enhance public understanding of IP rights and their essential role in supporting creative and innovative communities. World Intellectual Property Day 2025: History World Intellectual Property Day was officially established in 2000 when WIPO member states chose April 26 to commemorate the day the WIPO Convention came into force in 1970. This day bridges the gap between IP as a complex legal framework and its everyday significance, making people more aware of its influence on innovation and creativity. Significance of World Intellectual Property Day WIPO highlights how robust IP rights create an environment where creativity and technological advancement thrive, ultimately benefiting people globally. In 2025, the emphasis is on how legal frameworks protect creators and innovators, ensuring they can develop and share their ideas while securing due recognition and financial rewards. World Intellectual Property Day 2025: Theme The theme for this year is "IP and Music: Feel the Beat of IP."This focus celebrates music as a profound form of creative expression and illustrates how a strong IP system supports musicians, songwriters, producers, and performers. It acknowledges the ways IP rights empower artists to succeed both financially and artistically. What Is Intellectual Property? Intellectual Property refers to creations of the human mind, including inventions, artistic works, designs, symbols, and names used in commerce. IP laws grant creators exclusive rights over their creations for a defined period, promoting a system where innovation is continuously rewarded. In India, IP rights include patents, copyrights, trademarks, and more, each playing a vital role in nurturing creativity and entrepreneurship.
News18
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
World Intellectual Property Day 2025: History, Significance, Theme And More
World Intellectual Property Day is observed on April 26 to highlight the importance of IP in fostering innovation and protecting artists. World Intellectual Property Day 2025: Every year, World Intellectual Property Day is observed on April 26 with an aim to acknowledge the importance of intellectual property (IP) in fostering innovation, protecting artists and advancing global economic and cultural growth. The day encourages individuals and communities to recognise the unique contributions of innovators who use their creativity to create positive change in society. The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) organises this global event each year to increase understanding about intellectual property (IP) rights and their importance in supporting creativity and innovation. As we celebrate this day today, April 26, let's take a closer look at its History, Significance and Theme for this year. WIPO, a self-funded UN specialised agency, is essential for establishing a fair and accessible global intellectual property system. In 2000, WIPO member nations agreed to observe World Intellectual Property Day on April 26 each year to commemorate the creation of the WIPO Convention in 1970. The Convention aims to close the gap between intellectual property as a legal or business concept and its use in people's lives. WIPO seeks to raise awareness of the importance of intellectual property rights and promote innovation and creativity around the world through the observance of World Intellectual Property Day. World Intellectual Property Day 2025: Significance World Intellectual Property Day 2025: Theme The theme for this year's World Intellectual Property Day is set as IP and Music: Feel the Beat of IP. It highlights how music, as a form of creative expression, benefits from a strong intellectual property system. Every musical composition reflects creativity and talent. This year's theme emphasises the importance of intellectual property rights in helping artists, songwriters, performers and producers to succeed financially and artistically. What Is Intellectual Property? Intellectual property (IP) refers to human-created works such as inventions, literary works, designs, symbols, and names that are used in commerce. Laws safeguard these intangible goods by granting creators exclusive rights for a specific period of time. IP allows innovators to obtain recognition and financial rewards for their efforts, while society benefits from continuous innovation. Some of the IP rights in India include copyright, trademark, patent etc.
Forbes
12-04-2025
- Forbes
Pixel 10 Pro Successor's Innovative Upgrade Confirmed
Pixel 9 Pro XL Details on Google's plans for the Pixel family were revealed this week, showing the potential pricing and core models for the next few years. But what can Google add to the Pixel 10 Pro design to keep the next Pixel on the cutting edge? How about adding touch to the rear of the smartphone? The details come in a recently published patent filed with the WIPO. Titled 'Leveraging Inactive Touchpoints For Gesture Recognition and User Interface Configuration', it describes how the rear of a smartphone could register and act on gestures while the phone is in a hand or resting face down. Suggested features include adjusting volume, skipping through media, and altering user interface elements such as zoom levels, although the potential is far more expansive than those noted in the patent. Much of the patent covers how a machine learning model can discriminate between someone simply holding the phone or shuffling it around in your hand and someone deliberately entering a gesture. That's going to be something that is unique to each user, and there's every chance that Google will bundle this in as one of the advantages that artificial intelligence can offer to the Pixel community. As with any patent, there is no guarantee that the features will make their way to any retail model. Some of the more out-there ideas will never come to fruition. Others are closer to current implementations that feel like they are one generation away from turning up. A gesture system built into the rear of your smartphone feels like the latter. It builds on the Pixel Quick Tap functionality, where users can quickly tap the back of their phone to trigger a specified function from a list. This includes taking screenshots, playing or pausing media, or opening an app. A gesture-based system on the rear of the Pixel would offer more inputs, extending the functionality. Beyond the expansive camera islands, the rear of a smartphone remains relatively pure on consumer phones. There have been one-off designs that include small screens to help with selfies or to offer notification alerts, and some gaming smartphones have used the space for peripherals to pull heat quickly away when the phone is under heavy load. With smartphone displays offering no physical inputs, touch remains king. In the last few years, gestures have become the norm, so it makes sense that gestures could be added to the rear of a smartphone. If this does come to pass, I'd be curious to see what impact this has on the smartphone case—maybe the edge-only bumper case would have a resurgence? Google is expected to launch the Pixel 10 family in the summer of 2025, and there has been no hint that such a technology will be added, so it's likely any debut would have to wait a year for the Pixel 11 family. Now read the latest Pixel 10 Pro, Samsung Galaxy, and OnePlus headlines in Forbes weekly smartphone news digest...
