Intellectual property (IP) rights are among the most complex and contentious areas of law. This is partly because they concern 'intangible assets,' and partly because they tend to polarize the debate between users of material – scientific, technological or cultural – and its originators. The patenting of naturally occurring genetic resources raises further ethical and legal quandaries; at the international level, IP is sometimes seen as pitting corporate interests against those of developing nations. Throughout its research and programming, IDLO seeks to improve and enforce the international legal framework in IP, while enabling its application in-country. We promote innovation, but also work to secure wide access to its benefits.
Sara Sotelo from Peru, Alejandro Barrientos and Claudio Iglesias Darriba, from Argentina, and Carolina Olarte Bacares from Colombia all have one thing in common – they are all IDLO Alumni. Sara, Alejandro and Claudio first met at IDLO ten years ago when they attended a two-week training on Intellectual Property Law. They remain in touch today.
A strong regime of intellectual property (IP) law is crucial for fostering increased investment and innovation in key sectors of the economy. In recent years Tunisia has focused on building and implementing a policy for attracting foreign investment. Following the adoption of the new constitution, many laws regulating the economy were revised and a new investment code was adopted. The Tunisian government has also strengthened the legal framework for protecting IP, by acceding to the majority of treaties relating to IP and passing several laws on these matters.
For more than a decade, we have been working with developing and transition economies to help them comply with their obligations under the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS). South Africa is the latest country to benefit from IDLO’s expertise. In October 2013, we conducted a course in Johannesburg, with the participation of representatives from the Department of Trade and Industry, the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission, and other key institutions.
In late 2010, Montenegro was officially recognized as a European Union candidate country. Two years later, formal talks opened. As Montenegro negotiates accession, IDLO has been working to expand the capacity of the country’s judiciary in commercial law, and to improve familiarity with EU standards. We have collaborated with the Judicial Training Centre (JTC), Montenegro’s only national institution dealing with the professional education of judges, and provided practical training on competition law and intellectual property.
IDLO welcomes the decision by the World Trade Organization’s TRIPS Council to push back to July 2021 a deadline for Least Developed Countries (LDCs) to meet their Intellectual Property obligations.
Rome, July 5, 2013 – The International Development Law Organization celebrated the graduation of 24 participants from a record 20 countries who enrolled in the training course “The Dos and Don’ts of Technology Licensing for Developing Countries”.
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IDLO welcomes the decision by the World Trade Organization’s TRIPS Council to push back to July 2021 a deadline for Least Developed Count |
