IP Aid

Een betere wereld door betere IE-rechten? De uitverkiezing van Ellen 't Hoen tot een van de vijftig meest invloedrijke mensen in de wereld van het IE-recht staat niet op zichzelf, maar is onderdeel van een groeiende beweging die het IE-recht wil gebruiken in de strijd tegen armoede en ongelijkheid. Vooralsnog wordt er veel over gepubliceerd en vergaderd, maar hopelijk  levert het ook echt wat op. Vandaag binnengekomen: "The African Proposal for the Establishment of a Development Agenda for the WIPO"

The imperatives for development have never been more crucial or urgent for Africa than they are at the dawn of the 21st century. The African Group recognizes that IP can and does play an important role in fostering creativity, innovation and economic growth in developing countries. IP is just one mechanism among many for bringing about development. It should be used to support and enhance the legitimate economic aspirations of all developing countries, especially in the development of their productive forces, comprising of both human and natural resources. IP should therefore, be complimentary and not detrimental to individual national efforts at development, by becoming a veritable tool for economic growth.

Towards this objective, the existing international IP architecture should be made more democratic and responsive to the needs and aspirations of developing and least developed countries, especially in matters that are vital to the needs and welfare of their citizenry. IPRs and their enforcement should also be compatible with international human rights norms and standards, especially in matters relating to the livelihood and future prospects of people of developing countries. Their right to qualitative life, access to vital requirements such as medicines, food, knowledge and prospects for their intellectual and cultural development, should neither be unduly compromised nor hampered by rigid and indiscriminate enforcement of IPRs. (Volledige tekst hier.)