22 nations agree on IP transfer to Third world

NEW DELHI: Key nations of the world have agreed to facilitate transfer of intellectual property to developing countries.

At the first-ever international meeting on Intellectual Property and development Issues, it was decided to approach the matter in context of broader societal interest and development-related concern, in accordance with the TRIPs Agreement.

Towards this end there was a consensus that policies, initiatives and reforms were needed to ensure the transfer and dissemination of technology for the benefit of developing countries should be explored.

It was also agreed that innovative means for fostering transfer of technology to enable SMEs take better advantage of flexibilities as provided by relevant international agreements were needed.

The participants were also of the view that technical cooperation programme of World Intellectual Property Organisation should be strengthened.

"They were generally in favour of carrying forward the Development Agenda and and harmonisation of proposals of developing countries in this regard for expeditious consideration in the ensuing meeting of the WIPO Provisional Committee on Development Agenda,"a statement said here.

The 3-day meeting, which concluded on Wednesday, was organised by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) in association with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and industry (FICCI) and National Intellectual Property Organisation (NIPO).