[wplug] What is this World Intellectual Property Concept that RMS is pushing?

Tim Lesher tim at lesher.ws
Tue Apr 5 16:43:30 EDT 2005


Greg Simkins wrote:

> I followed the link from www.gnu.org <http://www.gnu.org> and found 
> that the thing that RMS is pushing appears to be this international 
> proposal on intellectual property:
>  
> http://www.wipo.int/documents/en/document/govbody/wo_gb_ga/pdf/wo_ga_31_11.pdf
>  
> I read the document.  It appears to be written by lawyers and I can't 
> figure out what it really means.  Does anybody have the Readers Digest 
> version?  Is this a far-out wacko socialist communal property 
> concept?  Or is it a legitimate defense of the open source community? 

It's a little dense, but not too bad.  Here's a paraphrase of the ideas 
(possibly more flippant than the original):

1. Protection of IP is designed (on its face, if not in current 
practice) to promote advancement of technological innovation. WIPO can 
further this goal by considering how developing countries are affected 
by and can contribute to IP when it makes its decisions on protection of IP.

2. Current discussion on IP within WIPO doesn't pay enough attention to 
"open collaborative projects" (like F/OSS).  It should do so, and 
encourage such projects (this is probably the FSF's angle).

3.  The current discussion on the "Broadcast Flag" doesn't pay enough 
attention to the rights and interests of the public.  It should do so.

4.  The WIPO should keep in mind the effects on society and particularly 
developing society when it discusses enforcement of IP protections.

5.  Don't bankrupt countries when requiring them to enforce IP 
protections, and make sure that requirements on those countries mesh 
with their social norms.

6.  When inviting NGOs into IP discussions, include both public-interest 
NGOs and industry NGOs.

-- 
Tim Lesher
<tim at lesher.ws>


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