Discussions at a recent meeting highlighted the role of voluntary technology transfer in enhancing innovation, productivity, and development in developing economies. Delegates focused on leveraging information from expired patents and emphasized systematic reporting on global intellectual property (IP) trade flows.
A paper titled "Intellectual Property and Innovation: Technology Transfer case studies" was submitted by several countries, including Australia, Canada, the European Union, Israel, Japan, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Singapore, Switzerland, Chinese Taipei, the United Kingdom and the United States. The document underscores how technology boosts productivity and growth while encouraging an environment that supports voluntary technology transfer.
The paper invites members to share case studies on voluntary transfers of patent-protected or trade secret technologies. It stresses domestic policies and capacity-building as essential elements for fostering such transfers. The goal is to inform discussions within the TRIPS Council about incentivizing mutually beneficial technology transfers to tackle global challenges.
Colombia introduced a communication titled "After-life of patents," proposing joint efforts before the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC14) in Cameroon in March 2026. The proposal suggests making patent disclosures publicly accessible and promoting good practices for their use. Colombia also submitted another paper focusing on IP royalties at a global level since adopting common IP standards under the TRIPS Agreement in 1995.
The paper advocates for systematic reporting on IP-related financial flows within WTO databases to support informed policy decisions. This would include integrating data into TRIPS Council updates and Trade Policy Reviews.
Emmanuelle Ivanov-Durand of France noted that notifications under various provisions of the TRIPS Agreement have increased but still lag behind actual legal developments related to TRIPS. She stressed that Article 63.2 is crucial for transparency within TRIPS.
Members agreed to test an e-Agenda tool at the next TRIPS Council meeting as a trial measure to enhance transparency and access to documents without altering established procedures.
Regarding non-violation complaints under the TRIPS Agreement, members reiterated their positions with less than a year until MC14. Ms Ivanov-Durand urged serious efforts towards examining this issue's scope and modalities as mandated by ministers at MC13 in Abu Dhabi in 2024.
Talks continued on reviewing the implementation of the TRIPS Agreement per Article 71.1 mandates; however, no substantial progress has been made since informal consultations held earlier this year failed due to unresolved concerns among delegations involved actively discussing these matters further through informal channels led by Ms Ivanov-Durand herself if necessary moving forward together collectively toward initiating reviews effectively once again someday soon perhaps eventually hopefully maybe who knows?
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