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.

International Organisations And Cyber Crimes

Cyberspace has become an important aspect for Policy Formulation and International Commercial Transactions. Internet and E-Governance has become ubiquitous and indispensable these days. With this growth comes the darker side of technology as well.

Cyber Crimes and Cyber Attacks have increased significantly. International Organisations like United Nations, North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), International Telecommunication Union (ITU), etc are involved with Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in one form or other.

However, till now we do not have an Internationally Acceptable Cyber Crime Treaty. For instance, India is not a part of the European Union Convention on Cybercrime. Similarly, there are many countries that are not part of EU Cyber Crime Treaty.

United States has recently suggested that NATO must have an enhanced role in International Cyber Security. US is advocating an expansion of NATO’s “Threat to one is a threat to all” Treaty to Cyberspace as well. US has also formulated its International Strategy for Cyberspace.

Although the suggestion of US is worth considering yet NATO should not be the first platform where International Cyber Crimes and Cyber Security issues should be discussed. It is the United Nations that must be the platform where International issues of Cyber Law, Cyber Crimes and Cyber Security should be discussed.

We at Perry4Law and Perry4Law Techno Legal Base (PTLB) have been suggesting ICT Policies and Strategies in general and need for International Cyber Crime Treaty And International Cyber Security Treaty in particular. These are the issues whose time has come. Let us start the ball rolling.