Ambassador Alfredo Suescum (Panama)

Japan

12 CONTRIBUTION OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY TO FACILITATE THE TRANSFER OF ENVIRONMENTALLY RATIONAL TECHNOLOGY

234. This delegation welcomes the opportunity to discuss again at this Council the topic of intellectual property in terms of how it facilitates the transfer of environmentally rational technology. 235. As intervened at the last Council, this delegation does not think that the existing intellectual property protection system constitutes a barrier to technology transfer. Rather, we firmly believe that adequate intellectual property protection forms a solid and stable foundation that induces direct investment and technology transfer. This is, in turn, expected to lead to the development and dissemination of environmentally sound technology. 236. Some developing countries have expressed their concerns that environmentally sound or rational technologies are not sufficiently being transferred to them. However, we believe that careful consideration should be given in seeking ways and means for implementing the transfer thereof. 237. Ecuador's proposal document (IP/C/W/585) includes initiatives and assertions that would undermine the current intellectual property protection system, as we pointed out at the last meeting. Therefore, we cannot support such initiatives and assertions that might deter the development, dissemination and transfer of technology, including environmentally sound technology, because these initiatives would end up lowering any incentives for innovation. 238. This delegation is also not in a position to support adopting the proposed declaration at the Bali Ministerial Conference, as mentioned in paragraph 23 in the proposal made by Ecuador. 239. Taking this opportunity, this delegation would like to briefly touch upon an industry-driven initiative, namely "WIPO Green" in which Japanese industry is actively involved. This is an initiative designed to offer opportunities both for "technology providers" and for "technology seekers" to find partners through a free, online database that enables them to transfer ESTs. The online database includes information not only on patented technologies but also on the knowledge and technical expertise that the technology providers might want to transfer. On the other hand, technology seekers can register their specific EST needs in the WIPO Green Database. Based on this, WIPO aims to achieve effective technology transfers. 240. This delegation considers it important to create an environment that encourages industry to contribute to addressing the global environmental issues on a voluntary basis. From this perspective, Japan has been supporting this initiative.

The Council took note of the statements made.

12.1. The Chairman recalled that, at the Council's meeting in March 2013, Ecuador had briefly presented, under "Other Business", its submission entitled "Contribution of Intellectual Property for Facilitating the Transfer of Environmentally Rational Technology" (document IP/C/W/585). That document had been discussed at the Council's meeting in June 2013 under an item on "Intellectual Property, Climate Change and Development" that had been put on the agenda at the request of Ecuador.

12.2. The representatives of Ecuador, the Plurinational State of Bolivia, Indonesia, Cuba, China, United States, European Union, India, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, Chile, Australia, Switzerland, Brazil and Venezuela took the floor. The statements will be reproduced in an addendum to the present record.

12.3. The Council took note of the statements made.

IP/C/M/74, IP/C/M/74/Add.1