[A2k] IP and Food Insecurity: Patchwork Will Not Mend Our Vulnerable Food System

[Vikas Nath]

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Dear All,

*"The alarming level of concentration of private commercial enterprises in
the input supply side of the agri-food system is related to intellectual
property rights", says Ms. Viviana Munoz Tellez, Programme Office,
Innovation and Access to Knowledge Programme, South Centre, Geneva.*

According to Ms. Tellez, *"The intellectual property system today has become
central to the functioning of the agrifood sector. This was not the case
only a century ago. Intellectual property rights are legal rights granted by
the State that allow a right owner to exclude for a certain period of time
(in most cases) anyone from making a use of his/her invention or creation.
The scope of intellectual property rights has expanded in time and today
they take many forms, including patents, copyright, plant breeders rights
(PBRs), trademarks, trade secrets, geographical indications, etc. It is
assumed that in the absence of these rewards, overall innovative and
creative activity would be diminished."*

Read the complete article, "Lessons from the Food Crisis: Patchwork Will Not
Mend Our Vulnerable Food System" appearing in the recent issue of the *South
Bulletin: Reflections and Foresights* available for download from:

http://www.southcentre.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=643&Itemid=1

Do not forget to browse the new open-source website of South Centre:
www.SouthCentre.org <http://www.southcentre.org/> too for other articles on
IP and Food Security issues.

Best regards,

Vikas Nath

Head - Media and Communication

South Centre

Geneva

Email: nath@southcentre.org