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Intellectual Property
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Intellectual property (IP) is an intangible thing – such as an idea or innovation – that, in most parts of the world, you can own, similar to the way that you can own tangible things like a car or a plot of land. The intangible thing can be something that you have written, drawn, designed, invented, or spoken, and it can be something that you have created yourself or paid someone to create for you. Like tangible property, you can buy, sell, exchange or give away intellectual property, and you can control its use by others. However, in order for your intangible thing to qualify as intellectual property so you can gain these rights, you have to be able to distinguish it from similar things.
There are many different perspectives on intellectual property and many people feel that current intellectual property regimes need to change. Some feel that these regimes need to be tightened, to apply stricter rules to the ownership and control of ideas, while others feel that there should be fundamental transformation of IP regimes to ensure equitable public access and stimulate innovation. Some even argue that IP should be eliminated in its entirety.
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On Intellectual Property in the APC Monitor
View all news on Intellectual Property
 NGOs call for WIPO reform 
21/09/2006 (IPJustice) --
Non-governmental organisations from across the globe have signed a statement urging the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) to adopt a development agenda. WIPO is an international treaty-making body within the United Nations that aims to stardardize intellectual property laws across the globe. Led by Brazil and Argentina, the NGOs say WIPO is too focused on maximizing intellectual property rights.
International | Communication Rights, Content and Language, Freedom of Expression, Intellectual Property, Laws and Regulation
IGF: Warning over 'broken' internet
17/10/2006 (BBC) --
The chair of the Internet Governance Forum, Nitin Desai, has warned that the internet could one day be broken up into separate networks around the world. Desai says the growing pressure from language groups that do not use Latin characters, and the security needs of governments and businesses, amongst other factors, could lead to the Balkanisation of the internet.
International | Censorship, E-Commerce, E-Governance, ICT4D, Intellectual Property, Internet Governance, Laws and Regulation, Security and Privacy
Developing countries look for compromise at WIPO
01/06/2007 (IP Watch) --
The developing countries that in 2004 proposed an agenda for reform of the World Intellectual Property Organization toward stronger consideration of developing country needs are exploring a compromise in advance of the next WIPO meeting on the issue, according to government sources.
International | Intellectual Property
South Africa: Bill on public research needs comment
09/07/2007 () --
The deadline for comment on the new Draft Bill on Intellectual Property Rights from Publicly Financed Research has been extended to 18 July 2007. Critics say early indications are that the bill is about government control over the commercialisation of research.
South Africa | Intellectual Property
WIPO finds a way forward
12/06/2006 (WIPO) --
Broadcasting rights came under the spotlight at a recent meeting of WIPO, the world intellectual property rights organisation. Member states say they've found a way of "updating" these rights, while dealing with new challenges presented by cablecasting, webcasting and simulcasting.
International | Intellectual Property
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Policy options: WIPO and broadcasting
02/07/2007 --
A development analysis of the proposed WIPO Treaty on the Protection of Broadcasting and Cablecasting Organisations by the South Centre (January, 2007). The objective of the research paper is to help developing countries and other stakeholders, especially in the South, understand and critically review the various proposals for such a treaty and decide on policy options for the way ahead.
Dem. Rep. of Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Uganda, Zimbabwe | Intellectual Property, Media
Software and seeds: Open source methods
02/09/2005 --
Open source methodologies used in software are interrogated and then compared to the methods used in farmers' rights groups. The use of open source methods in other contexts illustrates increasing interest in grassroots democratic movements participating in the continuing process of balance between public and private interests. These efforts provide a possible alternate framework for policy decisions concerning intellectual property.
International | Intellectual Property, Software
Facilitating India’s Knowledge Revolution Through Electronic Networks
09/11/2004 --
'In the same way that honeybees thrive off of pollen from flowers, the Honey Bee Network is designed around the principle of information and knowledge sharing for the common good. Just as taking nectar away from flowers does not make them poorer, the objective of the Honey Bee Network is meant to enrich the lives of the people who share their innovations and ideas by helping them realize the value of their knowledge. By facilitating the cross-cultural and multi-linguistic exchange of ideas, the Honey Bee Network offers artisans, farmers, and marginalized groups an opportunity to tap into the creative component of indigenous knowledge systems.'
| Intellectual Property
The globalization of private knowledge
14/10/2004 --
This article argues that the globalized IP regime will strongly affect prospects for technology transfer and competition in developing countries. In turn, these nations must determine how to implement such standards in a pro-competitive manner and foster innovation and competition in their own markets.
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Making the public domain public
05/10/2004 --
This paper by Robert A. Baron is about the public perception of the public domain, and about issues that arise when attempting to use it. Although centred around US law, it is an excellent indepth look at the need for publicly held knowledge.
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GETTING STARTED: What is 'net neutrality'?
16/07/2007 --
The principle of 'net neutrality', sometimes referred as “network neutrality” or “internet neutrality”, is about equal access to the internet. It is concerned with the fact that everybody's content should receive equal treatments in terms of speed and reliability, and be transmitted on a first-in-first-out basis. It also refers to an internet network that is free of restrictions on the kinds of equipment attached and the modes of communication allowed. GenderIT.org has compiled a useful reference for ICT jargon.
Dem. Rep. of Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Uganda, Zimbabwe | Access, Content and Language, Gender , Intellectual Property, Internet Governance, Media, National ICT Strategies, Security and Privacy, Software, Telecommunications, WSIS
A law unto themselves
23/10/2004 --
'All that is required for evil to triumph,' wrote Edmund Burke, 'is for good men to do nothing'. His words came to mind last week as I read the daily reports from Geneva about the meeting of the standing committee on copyright and related rights of the (Wipo). The meeting was assembled to discuss a draft treaty to 'protect' broadcasters and broadcasting signals.
| Intellectual Property
Free Culture
14/10/2004 --
One reviewer wrote: "Lessig writes about the music business (naturally), as well as architecture, copy machines, software, drugs and other aspects of what's been placed under the umbrella of 'intellectual property.' It's an interesting and provocative book, and one that ought to be read by artists and others who make their living creating, buying and selling pieces of culture. The history and context of the commercial exploitation of creative work might help readers understand its future, too."
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