H.E. Ambassador Dr Pimchanok PITFIELD

Switzerland

12 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND THE 1998 WORK PROGRAMME ON ELECTRONIC COMMERCE

340.  Switzerland thanks South Africa for their submission on "Intellectual Property and the 1998 Work Programme on Electronic Commerce". We note that certain IP-related topics have been taken onboard in the dedicated sessions of the Work Programme on Electronic Commerce. Being mindful not to duplicate discussions, we do call on Members to focus their exchanges under that framework for discussing substantive issues. Recent sessions were highly instructive, and Switzerland appreciates the quality of the exchanges that took place. 341.  Regarding the possibility of creating a standing item on the agenda of the TRIPS Council, Members are free to request an ad hoc agenda item to discuss any specific matter. We therefore see no value in such a standing item.

The Council took note of the statements made.

64. The Chair said this item had been put on the agenda at the request of the delegation of South Africa who had also submitted a communication on this topic, circulated in document , in order to allow Members to prepare for this discussion.
65. The representatives of South Africa; China; Tanzania; Djibouti, on behalf of the LDC Group; Indonesia; Australia; India; the European Union; the United States of America; and Switzerland took the floor.
66. The Council took note of the statements made.

IP/C/M/108, IP/C/M/108/Add.1