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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><B>-----Ursprüngliche Nachricht-----</B><BR><B>Von:
</B>GRAIN - Information <<A
href="mailto:info@grain.org">info@grain.org</A>><BR><B>An: </B><A
href="mailto:info@grain.org">info@grain.org</A> <<A
href="mailto:info@grain.org">info@grain.org</A>><BR><B>Datum: </B>Mittwoch,
1. Oktober 2003 22:06<BR><B>Betreff: </B>[NEW from GRAIN] One global patent
system? <BR><BR></DIV></FONT>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><FONT size=2><FONT size=2>
<DIV>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2>NEWS RELEASE</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2>GRAIN - Genetic Resouces Action International
(</FONT><A href="http://www.grain.org"><U><FONT color=#0000ff><FONT face=Arial
size=2>www.grain.org</FONT></U></FONT></A><FONT face=Arial size=2>)</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2>Wednesday, 1 October 2003 </FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2>THINK THERE’S TROUBLE AT WTO? WIPO’S GLOBAL PATENT
SYSTEM COULD BE A LOT WORSE</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2>With the recent collapse of global trade talks in
Cancún, there is a widespread feeling that the future of multilateral (global)
agreements is in jeopardy. Many are asking what is to become of the TRIPS
(Trade-Related Intellectual Property Rights) agreement, one of the most
controversial pillars of the WTO (World Trade Organisation). Will bilateral
trade agreements, with stricter rules and more room for arm twisting, now get
free reign? While this is a legitimate concern, few people realise that next to
TRIPS and the bilateral treaties, there is a third – and potentially more
powerful – kid on the block trying to design stronger patent rights for
corporations: WIPO - the World Intellectual Property Organisation. </FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2>A new briefing from GRAIN (Genetic Resources Action
International) exposes the negotiations taking place at WIPO on a new patent law
treaty and what they mean for countries around the world. One global patent
system is an important tool for transnational corporations and large powers like
the US and the EU to control a globalised economy. But it is "bad news for
developing countries and their citizens, who would lose even the limited freedom
they have left to adjust patent systems to national development goals". However,
GRAIN says, "it is not too late for the developing world to say ‘no thanks’ and
stop the negotiating process". </FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2>A truly global patent system, with one central office
issuing patents valid in any country in the world, has long been a dream among
transnational corporations and patent system strategists. Before TRIPS, it was
regarded as an impossible dream, because the complete harmonisation of patent
laws did not appear politically achievable. But the TRIPS agreement created the
conditions for realising this dream, and WIPO was quick to react by starting up
three parallel processes to make the world patent a reality. </FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2>WIPO’s Substantive Patent Law Treaty picks up where
the WTO TRIPS Agreement left off. TRIPS was about minimum standards for
intellectual property protection – which were far too high for developing
countries, but came as part of a package deal for joining WTO. The WIPO treaty
will raise those standards many notches further, and will provide little – if
any – space for national adaptation or exceptions.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2>The negotiations, GRAIN explains, have been focusing
on ironing out the differences between the US and the EU patent systems, where
the highest standards of monopoly privileges prevail. If developing countries
sign on, they will automatically commit themselves to much more stringent rules
in favour of US and European patent holders than they are commited to under WTO.
And it is likely that there will be little space to deviate from the terms of
the treaty.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2>"Developing countries need to control the
international agenda of patent law harmonisation on their own terms, be it at
WTO or WIPO", says GRAIN. The briefing recommends that instead of accepting US
and EU standards, developing countries need to roll the harmonisation agenda
back. Cancún gave a glimpse that this is possible.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2>Full Briefing</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2>The full briefing, "One global patent system? WIPO's
Substantive Patent Law Treaty", written by GRAIN, and further information is
available on the GRAIN website at: </FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2>In English: </FONT><A
href="http://www.grain.org/publications/wipo-splt-2003-en.cfm"><U><FONT
color=#0000ff><FONT face=Arial
size=2>http://www.grain.org/publications/wipo-splt-2003-en.cfm</FONT></U></FONT></A><FONT
face=Arial size=2>. </FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2>In Spanish: </FONT><A
href="http://www.grain.org/sp/publications/wipo-splt-2003-sp.cfm"><U><FONT
color=#0000ff><FONT face=Arial
size=2>http://www.grain.org/sp/publications/wipo-splt-2003-sp.cfm</FONT></U></FONT></A></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2>In French: </FONT><A
href="http://www.grain.org/fr/publications/wipo-splt-2003-fr.cfm"><U><FONT
color=#0000ff><FONT face=Arial
size=2>http://www.grain.org/fr/publications/wipo-splt-2003-fr.cfm</FONT></U></FONT></A></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2>Contact</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2>For more information about the briefing
itself:</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2>Peter Einarsson based in Sweden: peter@einarsson.net,
+46 477 401 60</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2>Renée Vellvé based in the Philippines:
renee@grain.org, + 63 49 5363979</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </P>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2>For more general information about GRAIN:</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2>In Latin America: Carlos Vicente
carlos@grain.org</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2>In Asia: Shalini Bhutani shalini@grain.org</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2>In Francophone Africa: Jeanne Zoundjihekpon
jeanne@grain.org</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2>Other areas: Alexis Vaughan
alexis@grain.org</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT></P>
<P>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT></P><A
href="http://www.grain.org/publications/wipo-splt-news-2003-en.cfm"><FONT
face=Arial
size=2>http://www.grain.org/publications/wipo-splt-news-2003-en.cfm</FONT></A>
<P></P>
<P><SPAN class=294101215-01102003><FONT face=Arial size=2>ref:
031001009</FONT></SPAN></P></DIV>
<P>---------------------------------------------</P>
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strictly non-commercial and educational service for nonprofit organisations and
individuals active in the struggle against IPRs on life.</P>
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