CLDP have posted this statement on their website:
“The African Intellectual Property Forum, originally slated for April 3-5, 2012 in Cape Town, will be rescheduled. Organizers are committed to ensuring that all stakeholders – in government, private business, the arts and the development community – are represented and engaged in the conference organization and agenda.”
Afro-IP readers had their say (multiple votes allowed):
Yes it is wholly inadequate
|
9%
|
No the agenda stacks up
|
25%
|
The agenda could be improved
but is ok
|
29%
|
The agenda needs to be
greatly improved
|
40%
|
The positive spin on all of this is that Africa is under the spotlight, it is generating debate on IP (even if it is only about the agenda) and CDLP are likely to come back with vigour... and a new agenda. One hopes that 55 countries and 1 billion people (including "all stakeholders – in government, private business, the arts and the development community") appreciate that they contribute less than 1% of worldwide IP (in the sense of filings) and if it is to grow, as it should, criticism of these types of efforts must remain balanced and constructive. The turn out for the poll and lack of response from the DTI (to queries) unfortunately points to apathy, dis-interest, obstruction and/or arrogance. I hope I am wrong.
