News Detail

Patent committee agrees on issues to re-start discussions

This was seen by observers and many delegates as a step forward in the attempt to break an impasse in the work of the SCP following strong disagreements (on North-South lines) on how or whether to proceed with negotiations on a WIPO substantive patent law treaty (SPLT).

Developed countries want to use the SPLT to further harmonise national patent laws. Developing countries are concerned about this and have also proposed many development-oriented and public interest issues to be incorporated in the negotiating agenda.