[Ip-health] WIPO gives Thai King first global leaders award

[James Packard Love]

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[ Picked text/plain from multipart/alternative ]
I am in Bangkok.  News about the WIPO award is in the local papers,
the morning a big public heath meeting starts (the Prince Mahidol
Award Conference), which will explore new thinking about R&D, and use
of TRIPS flexibilities, including compulsory licensing.    Apparently
not only will compulsory licenses stimulate generic competition and
lower prices for medicines, but also stimulate new awards to
influential leaders in your country.  jamie

http://www.wipo.int/edocs/prdocs/en/2007/wipo_pr_2007_474.html

Press Release 474
Geneva, January 29, 2007
KING OF THAILAND TO RECEIVE WIPO=92S FIRST GLOBAL LEADERS AWARD

The King of Thailand, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, will be
the recipient of the World Intellectual Property Organization=92s
(WIPO) Global Leaders Award, in recognition of his remarkable
contribution to intellectual property both as an inventor and as an
active proponent of intellectual property as a tool for development.
The WIPO Global Leaders Award is the Organization=92s most prestigious
recognition of outstanding contributions by world leaders to the
cause of intellectual property to promote development.

As an inventor and an artist, His Majesty is a strong advocate of
intellectual property, owning over 20 patents and 19 trademarks. Many
of his inventions have generated concrete benefits for Thai
communities, having been put to practical use in a range of rural
development projects in Thailand. His Majesty was granted his first
patent in 1993 for a system to resolve water shortage problem in the
dry season, making him the first member of the royal family to obtain
a patent. His Majesty is also a recognized and prolific artist,
having created over 1,000 works, including paintings, photos, musical
and literary works such as songs and novels.

The WIPO Global Leaders Award, which comprises a citation and a medal
honoring the recipient, recognizes leadership and personal engagement
in promoting intellectual property at the national, regional and
international levels. It also rewards exceptional personal creative
and innovative activities and use of the intellectual property system
to protect these works.

The importance of intellectual property as a policy tool to promote
development has been a key feature of Dr. Idris=92 vision as Director
General of the Organization since 1997. Dr. Idris has campaigned
extensively to enhance awareness and understanding among global
leaders of intellectual property and its strategic importance in
promoting economic, social and cultural development. The new WIPO
Global Leaders Award would contribute to the realization of the
Director General=92s vision.

For further information please contact the Media Relations and Public
Affairs Section at:

     * Tel: (+41 22) - 338 81 61 or 338 95 47
     * Fax: (+41 22) - 338 82 80
     * Email: publicinf@wipo.int.

WIPO Home


----------------------------------------------
James Packard Love
Knowledge Ecology International
http://www.keionline.org
james.love@keionline.org
Washington, DC +1.202.332.2670

"If everyone thinks the same: No one thinks." Bill Walton"