Geneva Declaration on the Future of WIPO (original) (raw)

Click here for the archives of the online discussion of the Access to Knowledge (A2K) proposal

On October 4, 2004, the General Assembly of the World Intellectual Property Organization agreed to adopt a proposal offered by Argentina and Brazil, the "Proposal for the Establishment of a Development Agenda for WIPO" (sometimes referred to as "Item 12" because of its placement listing on the meeting's agenda). This proposal was strongly supported by developing countries, as well as by a large contingent of civil society. Prior to the General Assembly meeting, hundreds of nonprofits, scientists, academics and other individuals had signed the "Geneva Declaration on the Future of WIPO," which calls on WIPO to focus more on the needs of developing countries, and to view IP as one of many tools for development - not as an end in itself.

The Geneva Declaration on the Future of WIPO is posted below in six languages. Signatures are still being accepted. If you are willing to sign this document, send an email to: geneva_declaration@cptech.org Please indicate how you would like your signature to be listed.

• ENGLISH, in PDF, html and MS Word formats.
• FRENCH, in PDF, html, and MS Wordformats.
• SPANISH, in PDF and rtf formats. Thanks to Sof�a Beltr�n and Phol P�ucar from Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility - Peru for the translation.
• GREEK, in MS Word and PDF formats. Thanks to Claudine Xenidou-Dervou and Anna Fragkau from the Hellenic Academic Libraries Link for the translation.
• ITALIAN, in html format. Thanks to Andrea Glorioso (from Media Innovation Unit - Firenze Tecnologia) and Nicola Larosa for the translation.
• ARABIC, in PDF and MS Word formats. Thanks to Marlyn Tadros from Virtual Activism for the translation.
• List of initial signatures
• Civil Society Documents
  • October 6, 2004. Consumers International. World Consumer Bodies Welcome WIPO Initiatives. (MS Word format)
  • October 4, 2004. Civil Society Coalition.Statement on WIPO Decision to Advance a Development Agenda
  • September, 2004. Martin Khor for the Third World Network.NGOs, Scientists and Academics Call for Major Reform of Intellectual Property System.
  • September 30, 2004. Ellen t' Hoen for Medecins Sans Frontieres.Statement by MSF at WIPO General Assembly.
  • September 29, 2004. International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions.The IFLA position on the Geneva Declaration on the Future of WIPO.
• WIPO Documents
  • General Assembly Decision on a Development Agenda.
  • Proposal by Argentina and Brazil for the Establishment of a Development Agenda for WIPO:
    * English version
    * French version
    * Spanish version
  • October 4, 2004. WIPO Press release.Member States Agree to Further Examine Proposal on Development.
  • October 1, 2004. Intervention by India on the discussion of the WIPO development agenda.Statement by Debabrata Saha, Deputy Permanent Representative of India.
  • September 30, 2004. Statement by the Delegation of Brazil on Item 12: Proposal for the Establishment of a Development Agenda for WIPO.
  • WIPO Convention(see Articles 3 and 4 in particular)
  • Agreement between the United Nations and the World Intellectual Property Organization.
  • Additional information in French.
• Background readings
• Many of these documents, as well as other related information, can be found in French at Debat Public, and can be found in Spanish at CPRS - Peru.
• September 8, 2004. James Boyle. Duke Law and Technology Review. 0009. Manifesto on WIPO and the Future of Intellectual Property.
• June, 2004. Jerome Reichman and Keith Maskus in the Journal of International Economic Law Volume 7, Issue 2, 279-320. The Globalization of Private Knowledge.
• March, 2004. South Centre Analytical Note. A Development Agenda for Intellectual Property Negotiations in 2004 and Beyond.
• 2003. Sisule Musungu & Graham Dutfield. Quaker United Nations Office, TRIPS Paper #3. Multilateral agreements and a TRIPS-plus world: The World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO).
• July 7, 2003. Sign-on letter from 69 scientists and economists to Kamil Idris, Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization requesting that WIPO host a meeting on open and collaborative development.
• News stories (French)
• September 20, 2004. Florent Latrive, Liberation, Propriété intellectuelle: les pays du Dud se rebellent.
• News Stories (English)
• October 18, 2004. Mark Ward for the BBC.The fight for your right to share.
• October 15, 2004. Gustavo Capdevila for the Inter Press Service.South Gains Ground in Intellectual Property Debate.
• October 15, 2004. Chee Yoke Heong for the Asia Times.Putting the brakes on intellectual property rights.
• October 15, 2004. Op-ed by Tom Giovanetti in the Washington Times.Intellectual property and its discontents.
• October 6, 2004. William New for National Review's Tech Daily.WIPO Agrees To Development Agenda.
• October 5, 2004. Frances Williams for the Financial Times.WIPO to Heed Concerns of the Poor.
• October 5, 2004. Matt Whipp for PC Pro News.UN body promises greater recognition for open source licencing.
• October 4, 2004. Martin Khor for the SUNS Development Monitor.WIPO to convene meetings on development agenda.
• September 30, 2004. Frances Williams for the Financial Times.Development needs 'override intellectual property protection'.
• September 29, 2004. Kanaga Raja for SUNS Development Monitor. NGOs support a 'Development Agenda' for WIPO.
• September 29, 2004. Associated Press. NGOs: UN Should Relax Protection for Intellectual Property to Help Developing Countries.
• September 29, 2004. Juliana Cézar Nunes (translated by Allen Bennett) in Brazzil.com. Brazil Wants New Rules for Intellectual Property .
• September 22, 2004. William New for the National Journal's Tech Daily. Consumer Groups Urge Change At WIPO.
• September 14, 2004. Frances Williams for the Financial Times. Clash likely on intellectual property rights.