Intellectual property:
a hindrance or
a boost to innovation?

Geneva, 22 February 2006

CropLife International welcomed some 80 participants to its lunch-time conference on intellectual property and innovation, held in Geneva on 22 February.

This event provided a platform to enrich the ongoing discussions about the future of the global intellectual property landscape.  It was organised to coincide with the week of WIPO's Development Agenda meetings in Geneva where key policy makers and stakeholders were meeting.  Participants from country missions, international organisations, NGOs and several industry sectors joined in the lively discussions on how IP protection can best promote innovation while still meeting the needs of developing countries. Speakers analysed the need for tools that encourage research and development for innovation in order to cope with the increasingly growing demand for technology.

The speakers' presentations (where available) can be viewed by clicking on the title of the presentation below.

Presentations

The benefits of intellectual property: an IGO perspective (speech to be posted soon)
- Rita Hayes, Deputy Director General, WIPO

Is the IP bar set too high in developing countries?
- Sisule Musungu, South Centre

Innovation for poverty reduction: Agricultural R&D  
- William Masters, Purdue University

The benefits of intellectual property: the seed industry perspective
- Bernard Le Buanec, International Seed Federation

A selection of photos from the event can be viewed here.