Intellectual Property and Human Rights: WIPO and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Hold a Panel Discussion to Highlight Common Ground

Geneva, October 20, 1998
Press Releases PR/1998/143

The World Intellectual Property Organization, in collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, will hold a panel discussion on Intellectual Property and Human Rights on Monday, November 9, 1998. This event, which is being organized within the context of the 50th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, will take place at WIPO headquarters in Geneva. Proceedings will commence at 10 a.m.

The objective of the Panel is to highlight the "universality" of intellectual property and its role in social, economic and cultural development. To this end, a series of presentations on topical subjects will be delivered by a number of notable specialists and researchers. The topics for discussion are designed to promote greater understanding of the role and importance of intellectual property in general, particularly in the spheres of human rights, trade, the environment, investment and culture. Presentations will address the origins and development of intellectual property, and the relationship between intellectual property on the one hand, and, on the other, the right to health, the protection of traditional knowledge and innovation, science and technology, nationality and non-discrimination. Each presentation will be followed by a discussion in which all present may participate.

This one-day event promises to generate an informative and interesting exchange of views on intellectual property rights as a fundamental human right. Published copies of the papers presented at the Panel discussion will be available from WIPO in due course.

For more detailed information, please contact the Media Relations and Public Affairs Section of WIPO:
Tel.: (+41 22) 338 95 47
Fax: (+41 22) 338 88 10
E-mail: publicinf@wipo.int