From seth.johnson@realmeasures.dyndns.org  Fri Oct 12 06:43:41 2001
From: seth.johnson@realmeasures.dyndns.org (Seth Johnson)
Date: Fri, 12 Oct 2001 01:43:41 -0400
Subject: [Patents] WIPO Patent Agenda
Message-ID: <3BC6830D.65D1EEEA@RealMeasures.dyndns.org>

(Forwarded from Protecting Knowledge list,
protecting_knowledge@yahoogroups.com)

Just a note of an initiative at WIPO -- they don't sound like they're
looking at things through the right lens, though -- Seth

-------- Original Message --------
Date: Thu, 11 Oct 2001 10:45:12 -0700
From: Don <dbain@telus.net>


-------- Original Message --------
Date: Thu, 11 Oct 2001 10:48:38 -0400
From: "Dionne Stout,Tamara [NCR]" <Tamara.DionneStout@ec.gc.ca>

WIPO

http://www.wipo.org/news/en/index.html?wipo_content_frame=/pressroom/en/index.html


Press Release PR/2001/293

Geneva, October 9, 2001 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PAC TO PROBE CHANGES IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LANDSCAPE

The Presidents of Bulgaria, Malta and Romania will join other eminent
members of the World Intellectual Property Organization's (WIPO) Policy
Advisory Commission (PAC) at a meeting in Geneva on Thursday, October
11, 2001 to discuss ways to promote and improve understanding of the
international intellectual property system as a tool for wealth
creation, social progress and cultural enrichment. Talks will focus on
reform of the international patent system as well as the question of
traditional knowledge, folklore and access to genetic resources and the
link to intellectual property. 

The PAC will consider the "WIPO Patent Agenda", an important new
initiative launched last month by Dr. Kamil Idris, WIPO Director
General, to develop a strategic blueprint for the future evolution of
the international patent system. The participants will hear a report
outlining the present situation and proposals for the future development
of a simple, inexpensive, timely and reliable international patent
system. Continued growth in the filing of patents around the world and
increased public interest in the question of patents has fuelled
pressure for fundamental change in the international patent system. PAC
members, all experienced in policy making and international diplomacy,
are expected to provide useful insight on how the patent system can be
used as a policy tool to gain general economic benefits, while bearing
in mind that a proper balance needs to be maintained between the
interests of patent owners and the public. 

The PAC will also hear a presentation on work being done relating to the
intellectual property aspects of traditional knowledge, folklore and
access to genetic resources. Taking into account the work of the WIPO
Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic
Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore (ICG), the PAC is expected
to explore ways to advance an understanding of the relationship between
intellectual property and traditional knowledge, folklore and access to
genetic resources.

The PAC, made up of eminent personalities in the fields of politics,
diplomacy, law and public administration, is mandated to enhance WIPO's
capacity to monitor and respond in a timely, informed and effective
manner to international and regional developments in intellectual
property, information technology and other fields bearing on WIPO's
operations and policy environment. 

Since its establishment in 1999, the PAC, under the chairmanship of HRH
Prince Hassan bin Talal of Jordan, has been instrumental in raising
awareness among policy makers and the public at large of the role and
importance of intellectual property as a strategically important tool
for economic development, wealth creation, social progress and cultural
enrichment. This message is captured in the World Intellectual Property
Declaration issued by the PAC in September 2000 which was designed to
send a strong message about the universal value of intellectual
property. The Declaration recommends the implementation of a wide range
of activities designed to promote public awareness, dissemination of
value-added intellectual property information and better international
registration services. It outlines measures to promote effective use of
intellectual property and protect cultural diversity and identity.

The PAC is a purely advisory body designed to assist the Director
General in identifying policies to deal with new and emerging trends in
intellectual property. The internationalization of markets and the rapid
pace of scientific and communications technologies have underlined the
need to develop new visions and strategies to meet the challenges of the
21st century. WIPO is the leading international organization charged
with promoting creative endeavor and protection of intellectual property
through cooperation between states. Given the importance of intellectual
property as a tool for economic and cultural development, it is
essential that the Organization remains responsive to the changing needs
and concerns of all users of the international intellectual property
system.

A list of PAC members is available.

Tel: (+41 22) 338 81 61 or (+41 22) 338 95 47; 
Fax: (+41 22) 338 88 10; 
E-mail: publicinf@wipo.int 

__________________________________________
Indigenous Peoples' Secretariat (Canada)
 on the Convention on Biological Diversity
Place Vincent Massey, 9th Floor
351 St. Joseph Blvd.
Hull, PQ  K1A 0H3   Canada
Tel: 819.953.5819
Fax: 819.953.1765
tamara.dionnestout@ec.gc.ca

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