Libya, Canada sign nuclear pact -- but what of the IP?

OilVoice reports that Libya has signed a memorandum of understanding with Canada for cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy. The MoU, signed in Tripoli on 29 July, provides for cooperation in several fields. These include research; uranium mining, processing and transport; enhancement of radiation technology for the prevention and treatment of diseases and the development and management of seawater desalination technology.

The secretary of the management committee of Libya's Atomic Energy Institute said that the signing of the MoU represents a progressive step in relations of both countries and opens new opportunities for cooperation in the area of promoting nuclear energy development programmes.

Nothing has been said publicly about the provision of background intellectual property which will be needed in order to kick-start the cooperation or about the control or exploitation of any IP rights resulting from research contemplated under the MoU.