Sisule F. Musungu - A key item at the on-going ninetenth Session of the WIPO Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR) is a discussion on a proposed treaty for improving access for the blind, visually impaired and other reading disabled persons (hereinafter “TVI”). Naturally, the proposal by the World Blind Union, formally presented to SCCR by Brazil, Ecuador and Paraguay, has generated not only intense interest but also significant opposition from predictable quaters such as the US Chamber of Commerce. As a corollary, it has been believed that the United States government will oppose such a proposal. The statement of the United States at the SCCR on TVI, however, is a worth a read, because, as a student of international intellectual property (IP) policy-making I can argue that it will mark an important historical moment in the politics of intellectual property. It was not only an enlightened statement but a statement that demonstrated a level of leadership that needs to acknowledged.
Archive for the ‘IP and Development’ Category
The U.S.A Stands up to be Counted on Improving Access for Visually Impaired Persons
Tuesday, December 15th, 2009The WIPO Developing Agenda – Some Thoughts on Coordination Mechanisms, Monitoring, Assessing and Reporting Modalities
Thursday, November 19th, 2009Susan Isiko Štrba – On the third day of its Fourth Session, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Committee on Development and Intellectual Property (CDIP) embarked on the discussion on coordination mechanisms and monitoring, assessment and reporting modalities on the implementation of recommendations of the Development Agenda (DA). The discussion, which is a continued from the Third Session of the CDIP, is based on two proposals presented by Algeria, Brazil and Pakistan on the one hand and the Group B on the other.
The WIPO Development Agenda – Essential Elements of a Monitoring, Assessment & Coordination Mechanism
Wednesday, November 18th, 2009Sisule F. Musungu – The World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO) Committee on Development and Intellectual Property (CDIP) has a mandate for monitoring, assessing and coordinating the implementation of the WIPO Development Agenda. How this mandate is discharged, will determine whether the Development Agenda leads to the transformation of how intellectual property (IP) systems are governed and managed at both the multilateral as well as at the national levels.
IQsensato’s Statement to the Fourth Session of the WIPO Committee on Development & IP
Tuesday, November 17th, 2009Sisule F. Musungu – On Monday, 16th November 2009 IQsensato made a statement to the Fourth Session of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Committee on Development and Intellectual Property (CDIP). This statement was read by Poku Adusei of the African Copyright and Access to Knowledge (ACA2K) Project which is a collaborating partner of IQsensato.
The WIPO Development Agenda – Will the Fourth Session of the Committee on Development and IP (CDIP) be the Turning Point?
Monday, November 16th, 2009Sisule F. Musungu – The World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO) Committee on Development and Intellectual Property (CDIP) meets in Geneva this week for its Fourth Session. The two key items on the agenda relate to the approval of a number of thematic projects and a discussion on the mechanisms for coordination of implementation.
