Working Lunch on IP Enforcement Issues and WCO

On 8 July 2008, South Centre's Innovation and Access to Knowledge Programme (IAKP) organized a Working Lunch for delegations of developing countries.

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss three ongoing IP enforcement issues: (i) Update on the recent Decision concerning SECURE made at World Customs Organization (WCO) Policy Commission and Council; (ii) Anti Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA); (iii) Universal Postal Union - WCO on protection of IPR and detection of counterfeit and pirated items.

Mr. Henrique Moraes, the Brazilian delegate based in Brussels, made key interventions on various issues, including among others, those connected with procedural regularity, outcomes of past three meetings, negotiation strategies and tactics, coordination problems at the domestic level, and issue of representation through regional blocks.

The meeting was chaired by Dr. Xuan LI, Coordinator of Innovation and Access to Knowledge Programme.

South Centre participates in SIPID III in Brazil

South Centre participated in the 3rd SIPID Conference held in Rio de Janeiro on 19-20 June 2008 on patents, innovation and development. The theme this year was on "AS DIMENSÕES ECONÔMICA, JURÍDICA E SOCIAL DA PROPRIEDADE INDUSTRIAL."

Ms. Viviana Munoz Tellez, Programme Officer with Innovation and Access to Knowledge Programme (IAKP), made a presenation on "the Changing Structure and Governance of Intellectual Property Enforcement" based on research carried out within the South Centre on this issue.

Working Lunch on WIPO Standing Committee on Patents (SCP)

On 18 June 2008, South Centre's Innovation and Access to Knowledge Programme (IAKP) organized a Working Lunch for delegations of developing countries. The purpose of the working lunch was to coordinate and prepare for the upcoming meeting of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Standing Committee on Patents (SCP).

The key issues that the SCP will be discussing in the session to take place from 23-27 June 2008 will be: 1) Review of the WIPO Report on the Patent System (SCP/12/3)
2) The future work plan of the SCP

The meeting was chaired by Dr. Xuan LI, Coordinator of Innovation and Access to Knowledge Programme.

Working Lunch on WCO/SECURE with respect to standards for enforcement of IP rights

A working lunch was organized by the South Centre on 11 June 2008 to discuss strategies for the upcoming meeting of the World Customs Organization (WCO) with respect to standards for enforcement of IP rights.

A presentation on possible scenarios was given by Dr. Xuan LI, Coordinator - Innovation and Access to Knowledge Programme (IAKP) and also chaired the meeting.

IP Enforcement and WCO Provisional Standards Employed by Customs for Uniform Rights Enforcement (SECURE)

Dr. Xuan Li, Coordinator of the Innovation and Access to Knowledge Programme (IAKP), delivered a presentation on "WCO Provisional Standards Employed by Customs for Uniform Rights Enforcement (SECURE)" at the strategy workshop on Intellectual Property and Enforcement hosted by the Open Society Foundation (OSI) in London on June 2-3, 2008.

The workshop was held in the context of a number of domestic, bi-lateral and multilateral policy agendas on intellectual property enforcement has recently been placed. Some of the proposed measures may seriously violate fundamental rights of consumers and citizens as well as inhibit the development of new, innovative (business) models for knowledge production and dissemination.

Confronting the Challenge of Technology for Development: Experiences from the BRICS

Dr. Xuan Li, Coordinator of Innovation and Access to Knowledge Programme (IAKP) along with her program colleagues Yogesh Pai and Jinmin Wang participated in the Oxford Conference on "Confronting the Challenge of Technology for Development: Experiences from the BRICS" in Oxford on 29 - 30 May 2008.

Two presentations were delivered by South Centre, on "Patent Application as Indicator of the Geography of Innovation Activities: Problem and Perspectives" and on "The Innovation of SMEs and Development of Industrial Clusters in China".

For more information, please contact, Dr. Xuan Li at li@southcentre.org

South Centre on Radio: Statement on "Digital Divide" and "Access to Knowledge"

On the occasion of the World Telecommunication Day, a statement was made by Dr. Xuan Li, Coordinator- Innovation and Access to Knowledge Progrmme, on "Digital Divide" and "Access to Knowledge".

The statement was dubbed in German and broadcasted on 16th May for the World Communications Day by the Bavarian Broadcasting Corporation for one of their Radio programmes from 6:05pm to 6:30pm.

The digital stream of the programme is available from:

http://www.br-online.de/imperia/md/audio/podcast/import/2008_05/2008_05_16_18_35_08_podcastiq_1605_a.mp3

FAO: Implementation of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources

Dr. Xuan Li, Head - Innovation and Access to Knowledge, attended the first meeting of the Capacity Building Coordination Mechanism for the implementation of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, held on 16 May 2008 in Bonn, Germany.

The meeting was aimed at establishing a platform of providers of capacity building on Treaty implementation. The platform will serve organizations involved in capacity building activities for the implementation of the Treaty as a central point for information exchange and coordination on capacity building initiatives around the world.

South Centre the only IGO Observer at the WCO/ SECURE Meeting

The World Customs Organization (WCO) held its Third Meeting of the Working Group on the Provisional Standards Employed by Customs for Uniform Rights Enforcement (SECURE) at its Headquarters in Brussels 24-25 April 2008. The meeting, largely driven by selected developed countries and private members, is an attempt to promote their TRIPS-Plus-Plus agenda on international border enforcement, i.e. voluntary international standards and best practice that exceed those established by the Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), in the absence of the scrutiny of the international community.

The proposed SECURE under WCO, if adopted, will have far reaching consequences. Compared with the WTO TRIPS Agreement, the proposed SECURE standards on IP enforcement border measures represents a significant departure from TRIPS provisions in terms of scope and intensity of the border measures and member states obligations. The delicate balance under TRIPS would be broken, thus affecting the flexibilities contained in TRIPS. Compared with WIPO Development Agenda, the proposed SECURE standards tend to favor the right holders of IPRs, thus affecting the balance between the rights holders and other stakeholders, such as importers, manufacturers, consumers, for example in respect of generic pharmaceutical products, etc.

Dr. Xuan Li, Head of the Innovation and Access to Knowledge Programme, South Centre, participated in the meeting. South Centre was the only intergovernmental organization of the developing countries present as an observer for the Meeting.

South Centre organizes Meeting on SECURE / World Customs Organization

The South Centre organises a working lunch for its member countries in view of certain developments on issues concerning intellectual property (IP) enforcement at the World Customs Organisation (WCO). The WCO is increasingly focussing on the formation of enhanced border measures, primarily supported by G8 countries. In this connection, the third meeting of the Working Group on the provisional Standards Employed by Customs for Uniform Rights Enforcement (SECURE) in Brussels from April 24 to 25, 2008.

The meeting called for by the Innovation and Access to Knowledge Programme (IAKP) of the South Centre focused on the implications and possible strategies that developing countries must adopt in making their concerns properly addressed at the WCO. Dr. Xuan Li, Coordinator of the IAKP gave a presentation on the defects in both the process and contents in WCO SECURE draft provisions. According to Dr. Li, many provisions are TRIPS-Plus, which the developed countries were trying to push hard through the back door.

The member country delegates raised serious concerns over the choice of forum on IP enforcement related issues and strongly stated that such provisions in SECURE, and WCO as a forum to discuss IP enforcement, was totally unacceptable. The need for better coordination among and within developing countries was emphasised.

Working Lunch in preparation for the Third Session of the World Health Organization (WHO) IGWG

On 24 April 2008, the South Centre's Innovation and Access to Knowledge Programme (IAKP) organized a working lunch for the delegates of developing countries working on the IP Issues.

The purpose of the meeting was to assist developing country delegations to share information, prepare and coordinate their participation in the upcoming third session of the World Health Organization (WHO) Intergovernmental Working Group on Innovation, Public Health and Intellectual Property Rights (IGWG) from April 28 - May 3, 2008.

The third WHO IGWG meeting is to negotiate and finalize the draft text of the Global Strategy and Action Plan to be submitted for approval to the WHA in May 2008. The aim of the Global Strategy and Action Plan is to create a medium term framework to increase research and development for developing medical products targeted at addressing the disease burden of developing countries.

South Centre participates in African Group Health Workshop organized by the African Union

Dr. Xuan Li Coordinator of Innovation and Access to Knowledge Programme (IAKP), and Ms. Marion Motari, Research Fellow, IAKP at the South Centre participated in the African Group Health Workshop organized by African Union on 11-12 April 2008 in Geneva, Switzerland.

Dr. Li gave a presentation on “IPRs, Public Health and Innovation: TRIPS Flexibilities, Technical Assistance and Way Forward” while Ms. Marion Motari’s presentation was on "Options for Sustainable Financial Mechanisms to Support Medical R&D."

South Centre launches online course of IP and Development

South Centre in partnership with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) have launched the first e-Learning course on the theme of “Intellectual Property Policy and Development”. The online course will be run from 9 June - 25 July 2008.

the adoption of the WIPO Development Agenda, the international community and developing countries in particular will have to address various IP policy issues such as public health and patents, protection of traditional knowledge, and access to digital content. This instructor-led online course, which has been reviewed by leading academics and policy makers, will provide participants from the South and North with the necessary background knowledge to address IP policy issues in various areas such as public health, agriculture, traditional knowledge, and digital and internet content.

The course is FREE for delegates and government officials from South Centre member countries. - USD 150 for other participants/institutions from South Centre member countries, and for all participant/institutions from Goup of 77 member countries which are not South Centre member countries.- USD 400 for all other participants/institutions.

South Centre launches online course of IP and Development

South Centre in partnership with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) have launched the first e-Learning course on the theme of “Intellectual Property Policy and Development”. The online course will be run from 9 June - 25 July 2008.

With the adoption of the WIPO Development Agenda, the international community and developing countries in particular will have to address various IP policy issues such as public health and patents, protection of traditional knowledge, and access to digital content. This instructor-led online course, which has been reviewed by leading academics and policy makers, will provide participants from the South and North with the necessary background knowledge to address IP policy issues in various areas such as public health, agriculture, traditional knowledge, and digital and internet content.

The course is FREE for delegates and government officials from South Centre member countries. - USD 150 for other participants/institutions from South Centre member countries, and for all participant/institutions from Goup of 77 member countries which are not South Centre member countries.- USD 400 for all other participants/institutions.

Reflections on Formulating Chinese National Intellectual Property Strategy

The sixth South Innovation Perspective Series (SIP) was organized today by the South Centre at the Palais des Nations. The keynote speaker to this event "Reflections on Formulating Chinese National Intellectual Property Strategy" was Dr. ZHANG Qin, Deputy Commissioner, State Intellectual Property Office, China & Standing Deputy Director General of National IP Strategy Formulation Leading Group Office.

The commentators to this event were Prof. Dominique Foray, Director, Chair of Economics and Management of Innovation and Dean of the College of Management of Technology at EPFL, Lausanne and Mr. Kiyoshi Adachi, Legal Officer, Intellectual Property Team, Policy Implementation Section, UNCTAD.

The event was chaired by Dr. Xuan LI, Coordinator of the Innovation and Access to Knowledge Programme (IAKP) at the South Centre.

South FACE produced for this event will become available soon.

Delegation from the Chinese National Intellectual Property Strategy Organisation (NIPSO) visits South Centre

A delegation from the National Intellectual Property Strategy Organisation (NIPSO) of China visited the South Centre on 12 March 2008. The delegation was headed by Dr. ZHANG Qin, Deputy Commissioner, State Intellectual Property Office and the Standing Deputy Director General of National IP Strategy Formulation Leading Group Office, China.

The purpose of the visit was to exchange views and understandings on intellectual property (IP) issues, with specific focus on understanding the international dimensions of IP, and the status of IP negotiations at various international fora including the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

Dr. Yash Tandon, Executive Director of the South Centre and Dr. Xuan Li, Coordinator of the Innovation and Access to Knowledge Programme (IAKP), South Centre and her colleagues briefed the delegation.

Working Lunch on WIPO Development Agenda

The Innovation and Access to Knowledge Programme (IAKP) of the South Centre today organized a working lunch on the WIPO Development Agenda which was attended by over 25 delegates from Geneva and the Capitals.

Twelfth Session of the WIPO Intergovernmental Committee on Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Traditional Cultural Expressions (IGC)

In light of the renewal of the mandate of the Intergovernmental Committee on Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Traditional Cultural Expressions (IGC) for a two year period, it is timely for developing countries to reflect on what has been achieved in the seven years of the IGC and to collective consider the following:

1) how to advance the international dimension of the work of the IGC, and
2) define the expected outcomes of the work of the IGC in addressing the international dimension

The Innovation and Access to Knowledge Programme (IAKP) of the South Centre will be participating in the Twelfth Session of the WIPO Intergovernmental Committee on Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Traditional Cultural Expressions (IGC) being held in Geneva from 25 - 29 February 2008.

South Centre participates in deliberations of the African Group for upcoming UNCTAD XII

On 22 February, the South Centre contributed to the deliberations of the African Group on the preparatory phase for UNCTAD XII.

Mr. Vicente Paolo Yu, Coordinator of the Global Governance for Development Programme and Mr. Ermias Biadgleng, Program Officer for the Innovation & Access to Knowledge Program at the South Centre were present for this meeting held in Montreux, Switzerland.

Mr. Biadgleng elucidated on the channels of technology transfer and the link between foreign direct investment (FDI) flows and accumulation and reproduction of knowledge. He cautioned that capacity building in the South will not occur unless there was a government support for training and skills acquirement. It also required foreign companies setting up businesses in Africa to start relying more on employees from the local populations rather than bring in their own managerial staff.

The presentation delivered by Mr. Vicente Yu focused on the disastrous effects of Climate Change and its impact on Africa. According to Mr. Yu, despite negligible contribution of African countries to the global carbon emissions they will have to bear a heavy cost resulting from decrease in agricultural output and the associated loss in employment, compounded by their lack of capacity and financial resources to adapt to climate change.

South Centre in Media: Implications of the Economic Partnership Agreement

A reference to the South Centre appears in the Jamaica Gleaner in article "Implications of the Economic Partnership Agreement" appearing on January 25, 2008 authored by Guest Commentator, Professor Norman Girvan.

It quotes:

Development assistance in specified forms, quantities, and time-frames is not included in the EPA. If additional investment and development assistance are not forthcoming, there is no provision within the EPA for the promised beneficiaries to be released from their obligations.
This issue may be illustrated with regard to the EPA chapter on innovation and intellectual property. A comment prepared at my request by a team of experts at the South Centre observes that:
"Chapter 2 of Title IV of the draft EPA text covers issues linked with key aspects of socio-economic development of the Cariforum states. One can easily assess the different levels of engagement of the parties under Section 1 and Section 2. Section 1 largely provides for non-binding commitment, declaratory statements, and matters that will be defined during implementation. Section 2 largely establishes binding TRIPS-plus standards that should be implemented by the parties. If Section 1 is assumed to be of interest for Cariforum, then what they are getting from the EPA will be largely promises that may face the inherent difficulty of determining their scope and the kind of measures that can be considered as adequate implementation of the commitments. The implementation of Section 2 is straightforward, involving the introduction of domestic laws to implement the section that can be easily verified and assessed."

For more information:
http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20080125/business/business8.html