The Legislative Committee of the Patent and Trademark Office Society plan to attend on Wednesday, 25 July 2007:

The National Academies Christine Mirzayan Science and Technology Policy Graduate Fellowship Program Seminar

Intellectual Property Rights: Wrong for Developing Countries?

This seminar examines Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and their implications for developing countries. Proponents argue that IPR promotes economic growth in developing countries by providing incentives for innovation. However, opponents contend that IPR discourages information sharing and collaborative innovation fundamental to balancing society’s economic and social goals with the planet’s environmental limits. By presenting pros and cons of IPR and their effect on information sharing, this seminar will provide a lively debate on whether intellectual property rights are wrong for sustainable development in developing countries.

The panelists will address one or more of the following questions:
* Do IPR promote economic growth in developing countries?
* Do IPR promote sustainable environmental practices in developing countries?
* Do IPR promote better science and technology in developing countries?

Featured Speakers:
* Honorable Bruce A. Lehman (Chairman of the International Intellectual Property Institute)
* Mr. John Wilbanks (Vice President of Science Commons at Creative Commons)

The seminar format will involve 10-15 minute presentations by the featured guests, followed by a moderated question and answer session.  No report or summary will be produced from this seminar.

Time: 12:30-2:00 PM

Location:
The Keck Center of the National Academies (Room 100)
500 5th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001

Notes:
(1) Photo ID is required upon entry into the building.

Please contact Nagesh Rao (g.rao@uspto.gov) if you wish to join along.

Flyer 1
Flyer 2