WIPO Forum on Private International Lawand Intellectual Property

Geneva, February 2, 2001
Press Updates UPD/2001/120

Leading experts attending a meeting in Geneva organized by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) agreed that intellectual property rights pose special challenges for private international lawyers handling cross-border disputes. The successful resolution of these questions often calls for solutions that are tailored to specific intellectual property rights, such as patents, trademarks and copyright. Some 200 participants attending the WIPO Forum on Private International Law and Intellectual Property on January 30 and 31, 2000 discussed the intellectual property implications of the global reach of the Internet and the rapid growth of electronic commerce, particularly, in relation to the jurisdiction of courts, applicable law and enforcement of judgements.

The Forum, the first of its kind organized by WIPO, was attended by policy-makers, practitioners and academics from 54 countries. Twenty-three leading experts from business circles, academia, and selected governmental and non-governmental organizations presented their ideas and views on the digital challenge and its implications for both intellectual property and private international law. The presentations were followed by in-depth debate. These papers as well as four substantive studies on the major issues involved are available.

During the Forum, participants discussed the intellectual property aspects of the Preliminary Draft Convention on Jurisdiction and Foreign Judgements in Civil and Commercial Matters prepared under the auspices of the Hague Conference on Private International Law ("Hague Conference"). This exercise was particularly timely as the Hague Conference is planning to organize a Diplomatic Conference in June this year.

Participants at the WIPO Forum welcomed the opportunity to exchange views on issues concerning international cooperation at the intersection between private international law and intellectual property law - an area of great relevance to the future management of intellectual property rights.

For further information, please contact the Media Relations and Public Affairs Section at WIPO: Tel.: (+4122) 338 81 61 or 338 95 47; Fax: (+4122) 338 88 10; Email: publicinf@wipo.int