Panel Explores Intellectual Property Dimensions of Privatization
Geneva, November 2, 2000
Press Releases PR/2000/245
A nine-member panel of experts discussed ways to ensure that intellectual property considerations are built into national privatization policy frameworks and corporate strategies for the benefit of countries and businesses. The Ad Hoc Advisory Panel on Privatization, made up of senior-level policy-makers and academicians, held its second meeting at the headquarters of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) from October 31 to November 1, 2000 to pursue discussions initiated in May on the intellectual property aspects of privatization.
Panelists agreed that privatization was a phenomenon of increasing importance in the economies of all countries. They also recognized that the intellectual property aspects of this process were far more significant than previously recognized and required greater attention. A number of proposals to help countries improve the privatization process and its results were considered. In particular, the discussion focused on the importance of determining the value of intellectual property assets and the need for better management of these intangible resources through improved awareness of their strategic importance to business development.
The Panel agreed that WIPO had a significant role to play in addressing intellectual property aspects of privatization by providing advice on legal, economic and procedural aspects of the process; offering technical assistance; and in initiating and fostering links between governments and private sector institutions and other agencies dealing with privatization at the national and international levels.
The conclusions and recommendations resulting from this week's open and wide-ranging discussions and an earlier round of talks in May 2000, will be reflected in a final report to be presented to the WIPO Director General, Dr. Kamil Idris, early in 2001.
The Panel Coordinator is Mr. N. K. Singh, Secretary to the Prime Minister of India. The other panelists are: Professor Edward S. Ayensu, Member of the Inspection Panel, The World Bank, Professor Klaus Gretschmann, Director General, Economic and Financial Affairs, Federal Chancellery of Germany, Mr. K.G. Anthony Hill C.D, former Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Jamaica in Geneva, Mr. Jorge Alberto Lozoya, Secretary, Ibero-American Cooperation, Madrid, Professor Anne O. Krueger, Professor in Humanities and Sciences and Director, Center for Research on Economic Development and Policy Reform, Stanford University, United States of America, Professor Sadao Nagaoka, Professor at the Institute of Innovation, Hitotsubashi University, Japan, His Excellency Mr. Philippe Petit, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of France in Geneva, and Mr. Patrick Smith, former Director General, Australian Industrial Property Organization.
For additional information, please contact the Media Relations and Public Affairs Section at WIPO:
- Tel: (+41 22) 338 81 61 or (+41 22) 338 95 47;
- Fax: (+41 22) 338 88 10;
- E-mail: publicinf@wipo.int