Free for a Fee

WIPO Assemblies Conclude

WIPO press release – 1 October 2008

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND: Topped by the appointment of Francis Gurry as the next Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the WIPO Assemblies concluded on 29 September 2008. In his acceptance speech, Francis Gurry outlined his priorities for the future and called for “concrete outcomes” to negotiations relating to the protection of traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions. With regard to the work of the Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore (IGC), the General Assembly noted the work under the Committee on the analysis of gaps in the protection available for traditional cultural expressions/expressions of folklore and for traditional knowledge. These gap analyses have been developed and reviewed through an open commentary process in preparation for the IGC’s October 2008 session. Delegates also noted the IGC’s decision to update and re-issue working documents on the protection of genetic resources for in-depth discussion at its next session, and the invitation for intersessional commentary on the issue of genetic resources. With a view to accelerating the Committee’s work, in line with its mandate, the October 2008 session of the IGC will consider establishing intersessional mechanisms to build on the progress achieved so far in a structured and focused manner. Member states also welcomed the further successful implementation of the WIPO Voluntary Fund for Indigenous and Local Communities, supported by generous donations, noting that it had significantly enhanced the depth and diversity of representation in the IGC process. Read the press release …