[pp.int.general] WIPO blocks PPI application

[David Arcos]

Hi,

FYI

http://keionline.org/node/1561

 This morning, under agenda item 6, the WIPO General Assemblies decided to
defer a decision until 2013 on the application for accreditation by Pirate
Parties International. I was told that the US, Switzerland the France
raised objections in the informal consultations, and that some other
European countries wanted to raise objections, but found it awkward given
the recent success of domestic Pirate Parties in national elections. The
USA said it asked for a hold on the decision until WIPO could decide if it
wanted to accept political parties as WIPO observers. One delegate said
European countries were concerned that the Pirate Parties would take
"political action" back home when they disagreed with positions taken by
the official delegates at the WIPO meetings.

KEI's view is that the decision to block the Pirate Parties International
application made WIPO look even more captured by right holders than it
actually is. To the extent that intellectual property rights issues become
seen as political rather than simply technical matters, it may be possible
to have broader, deeper and more useful debates on the purpose and
performance of the intellectual property rights system. Why? Because many
of the technical staff at the government levels are caught up in a system
where responsiveness to right-holder interests is key to promotions or job
retention, and the robust revolving door with industry creates incentives
to be anti-consumer.

In another development, the US said it is asked that WIPO set aside a
regular day for corporate right holder groups. One member of the US
delegate said they wanted a "Davos type" format, with CEOs of leading
companies interacting with government delegates and WIPO officials. When
asked, have you proposed similar event for consumer, public health and
development groups, the answer was no. The US said its proposal at WIPO for
the right-holders day had a lot of support. It also comes at the same time
that the pharmaceutical and processed food industries are seeking more
direct roles in the governance of the World Health Organization (WHO),
under a "WIPO Reform" negotiation.
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