A sobering thought, and one which concerns me far more than the copyright on
my own ideas.
>On the WTO and IPR, I am sure everyone is aware that this issue has
>implications far beyond whether or not I as an individual can own an idea.
>The WTO will be considering things like whether a corporation can patent an
>existing life form on the grounds that it had the 'idea' to use it in a
>certain way in a sellable product. This is actually a recognised form of
>patenting already in some parts of the world, and is supported by the
>European Union and the USA. It means that commercial application is the
>basis for claiming 'ownership', not, for example, centuries of indigenous
>use, which is irrlevant. Thus a transnational corporation can 'discover'
>the Indian Neem tree, used for years in that country, and patent it (being
>that is was their idea to make products from it for commercial
>application), and what is more there have even been applications to patent
>parts of peoples' bodies (on the grounds that a company 'discovered' a gene
>for some particular immune disorder, in this case the kidneys of a Central
>American indigenous tribal group).
>
>Maybe we should all stop worry about our ideas and go out and patent our
>bodies before someone else 'dicovers' them!
>
>David.
>
>
>>I'm sure that you're all aware of this. But you know that one of the key
>>points on the agenda for the next World Trade Organisation is the small
>>matter of Intellectual Property Rights/Ownership. As you will be aware this
>>is a key issue in all of the cultural industries (let's include education
>>for the sake of argument). The whole economic possibility of there being
>>individual ownership (and the economic monopoly rights, way of earning a
>>living under capitalism) is under question. Not surprisingly large
>>organisations are claiming a change in the position such that all of the
>>thoughts and actions that a person has when in another's employ reverts to
>>the employer (or something like this).
>>Both the aspects of the political economy and the SSK angles would repay
>>some serious academic endeavour. But, as I say some people are already
>>making a start.
>>
>
>
>
>David Wood
>PhD Student ('The Rural Peace Dividend')
>Department of Agricultural Economics and Food Marketing
>University of Newcastle upon Tyne
>NE1 7RU
>
>Tel: 0191 222 5305
>
>
>
>
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