International Geneva: intellectual property under the spotlight

On 17 July, the Director-General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Francis Gurry, will present his organisation to CERN people. You are invited to take part and discover the UN’s specialised agency for services, policy, information and cooperation relating to intellectual property.

 

This is the third in the “International Geneva comes to CERN” series of seminars, which presents other Geneva-based international organisations to CERN’s internal audience. In his seminar, Gurry will discuss how WIPO finds the right balance between the interests of innovators and the wider public and how the IP system aims to foster an environment in which creativity and innovation can flourish.

In 2010, CERN and WIPO signed a collaboration agreement designed to strengthen the partnership between the two organisations. The agreement focused on four main areas for cooperation, namely: capacity building, awareness raising and knowledge sharing; transfer of technology and know-how; cooperation in the area of technological, scientific and patent information; and options for alternative dispute resolution for intellectual-property-related matters. “Indeed, although CERN fosters an open science environment, it is also aware that knowledge transfer and the protection of intellectual property are key to maximising the technological return of fundamental science to society,” says Maurizio Bona, who is in charge of CERN’s relations with international organisations. “The two organisations are natural allies in this challenge. This seminar will provide an opportunity for CERN people to get to know the world of patents, copyrights and trademarks better.”

The winning formula that was adopted for the first two seminars will also be implemented in this one: a 45-minute presentation followed by 30 minutes of lively discussion with the audience. Put 17 July in your diary: the seminar will be held in the Main Auditorium and will start at 11.00 a.m. Registration is mandatory for people coming from outside CERN.  

by Antonella Del Rosso