WIPO’s Standing Committee On Patents And Technology Transfer

World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) is one of the 16 specialised agencies of the United Nations. WIPO was established in 1967 to encourage creative activity and to promote the protection of Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) throughout the World.

WIPO is responsible for promoting creative intellectual activity and for facilitating the transfer of technology related to industrial property to the developing countries in order to accelerate economic, social and cultural development, subject to the competence and responsibilities of the United Nations and its organs, particularly the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), as well as of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and of other agencies within the United Nations system.

In pursuance of its objectives, the Sixteenth Session of the WIPO’s Standing Committee on the Law of Patents (SCP) was recently conducted from 16th to 29th May, 2011. Many far reaching issues were discussed at the meeting that includes issues like Patents and Public Health, Technology Transfer, and Exceptions and Limitations to Patents. Although these issues have always remained controversial yet some “Positive Developments” have been shown in this session of SCP.

Issues like Pharmaceuticals and Public Health, Data Exclusivity, Technology Transfer, etc are still to be resolved at the International Level. This is more so regarding Technology Transfer issues that Developing Countries are vigorously advocating. Without adequate and necessary Technology Transfer, Developing Nations cannot be equated with Developed Nations.

WIPO has to play a pro active role so that Technology Transfer can be meaningful and effective. Further, WIPO must also ensure that provisions of TRIPS Agreements are “Interpreted” to the benefits of Developing Countries. This is also necessary so that Doha Development Agenda Negotiations can be successful.

Perry4Law and Perry4Law Techno Legal Base (PTLB) welcome this effort of WIPO and all Countries. Let us see how SPC would help in further development and growth of International Patents Laws in general and Patents related Technology Transfer in particular. We welcome the latest effort of SCP and consider it as the beginning of Future Negotiations.