This is your WIPO Democracy Update:
- The group of fourteen developing nations that introduced the Development Agenda issued a statement yesterday rejecting the outcome of a recent regional meeting in Casablanca. They argue that the WIPO Director General overstepped his authority in organizing a regional consultation that led to substantive recommendations. Regional consultations are less democratic because they happen in far-flung places of the world that civil society NGOs generally don't have the budget to reach, there is no requirement that a diverse array of countries be invited, and the press rarely covers the meetings.
- EFF has issued a press release highlighting that "Last week, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) announced that it will shut out most public interest organizations at two important meetings devoted to intellectual property and development. As a result, WIPO delegates from 182 nations will discuss these issues without hearing from many of the world's best-qualified experts." Union for the Public Domain has applied for accreditation to attend these meetings and is waiting for a response.
