Summary: Information / Discussion
World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and recent developments regarding
issues such as traditional knowledge
| Time: |
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16 July 2002, 11:30 – 13:00 Updated: VK 6:24 PM
27-10-02 |
| Location: |
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ICCG 3 |
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Moderator(s): | | |
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Presenters/ Participants: | | • Mr. Nuno Carvalho, World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
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| Reporter: |
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Jennie Hery-Jaona (ICVolunteers) |
| Language: |
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English |
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The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) ensures that the rights of creators and owners of intellectual property are protected worldwide and that inventors and authors are, thus, recognized and rewarded for their ingenuity. Traditional knowledge (such as medicine, arts, etc.) is therefore an important aspect to be protected in developing countries in
particular.
With headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, WIPO counts 179 nations as member states and administers 23 international treaties dealing with different aspects of intellectual property protection.
The need for international protection of intellectual property became evident when foreign exhibitors refused to attend the International Exhibition of Inventions in Vienna in 1873 because they were afraid their ideas would be stolen and exploited commercially in other countries.
1883 marked the birth of the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property. In 1886, copyright entered the international arena with the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works.
In 1898, BIRPI administered only four international treaties. Today its successor, WIPO, administers 23 treaties (two of those jointly with other international organizations). WIPO ensures that the rights of creators and owners of intellectual property are protected worldwide and that inventors and authors are, thus, recognized and rewarded for their ingenuity.
By providing a stable environment for the marketing of intellectual property products, WIPO also oils the wheels of international trade. On January 1, 1996, an agreement between WIPO and the World Trade Organization entered into force. It provides for cooperation concerning the implementation of the TRIPS Agreement, such as notification of laws and regulations, legal-technical assistance and technical cooperation in favor of developing countries.
In July 1998, a joint initiative was launched to help developing countries meet their TRIPS obligations by the year 2000. Assistance continues to be provided past the deadline for many developing countries. Special attention will be given to those least-developed countries that need to meet their TRIPS obligations by 2006.
Relating to the session regarding the protection of traditional knowledge, WIPO and UNESCO jointly set model provisions in 1982. For instance, discussions have been held in nine different regions about the indigenous community and traditional knowledge.
In 1998 and1999 roundtables took place in Geneva, where different international organizations, governments and indigenous communities met. To this point, only Panama and Portugal have completed the process of intellectual property recognition including traditional knowledge.
Interesting questions
A question was asked regarding the patenting of genes.
The response was that there can be no granting of a patent for genetic-related issues because work in genetics is considered to be discovery and not invention.
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