[Open-wipo] UPD's statement on WIPO Development Agenda Meeting

[Robin Gross]

Below is the statement of the Union for the Public Domain at the WIPO
Development Agenda meeting this week.  It was kindly delivered by
Karston Gerloff, from FSF Europe.

Thanks,
Robin

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for the opportunity to take the floor during
this important meeting on the future of WIPO's work. I am speaking on
behalf of the Union for the Public Domain. This is a non-profit citizens
group.

Our mission is to protect and enhance the public domain in matters
concerning intellectual property. We are a membership organization,
acting as an independent voice on intellectual property issues.

We welcome the thoughtful and important proposal of the group of Friends
of Development. We also highly welcome the initiative by India and
Pakistan intended to bring structure to the debate. This will
accellerate the finding of results, and in this way free resources that
can subsequently be used to investigate possibilities for WIPO to foster
worldwide intellectual wealth.

We also highly appreciate the important and thoughtful statement, the
Doha Plan of Action the 130 countries made at the second South Summit in
Doha.

We believe that WIPO's role cannot be limited to technical assistance
alone. Rather, the development dimension should be incorporated into
WIPO's work in a coherent and permanent way. An independent evaluation
and research office (WERO) created by WIPO is the best way to assure
that all countries benefit to the largest possible extent from the
system of patents, copyrights and trademarks.

The Union for the Public Domain greatly appreciates the idea of a treaty
on Access to Knowledge. This treaty should include:
	- a balance of the interests of rights holders and the public at large
	- and an adequate consideration of the needs of developing countries
The treaty on Access to Knowledge should also pay due respect to the
importance a strong public domain has for fostering creativity within
every society.

The Union for the Public Domain *supports* a sensible international
system of patents, copyright and trademarks. Patents, copyright and
trademarks should work as tools for the greater social good in
developing as well as developed countries. They are indeed powerful
tools; but they are only tools, and can never be ends in themselves. We
will be happy to offer advice on how to best use them for the greater
good of humanity.

The objective of WIPO's work can only be to foster the growth and the
creation of a critical mass of knowledge in all countries, especially
developing countries. A public domain that is strong and protected
against monopolisation is a prerequisite to this. Helping to build a
strong base of knowledge from which creativity can depart,  WIPO can
truly become an institution fostering and promoting intellectual wealth.