WIPO moves toward 'world' patent system by GRAIN | 10 Jul 2002 In the last few years the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), a United Nations body mandated to promote intellectual property rights, has started building a “world patent” system. It may mean the end of patent policy as a tool for national development strategies and is likely to overtake the World Trade Organisation’s TRIPS agreement. Any deviation from its rules would be subject to some kind of sanction: it would be the final word. In the last few years the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), a United Nations body mandated to promote intellectual property rights, has started building a “world patent” system. It may mean the end of patent policy as a tool for national development strategies and is likely to overtake the World Trade Organisation’s TRIPS agreement. Any deviation from its rules would be subject to some kind of sanction: it would be the final word.
Farida Akhtar - founder of UBINIG by GRAIN | 9 Jul 2002 Seedling - July 2002 Farida Akhtar is one of the founders of UBINIG, a Bangladeshi NGO which has set up one of the biggest community seed banks in the world. Here she talks to Seedling about their successes so far. Farida Akhtar is one of the founders of UBINIG, a Bangladeshi NGO which has set up one of the biggest community seed banks in the world. Here she talks to Seedling about their successes so far.
GMO brings hardship to S. Sulawesi, farmers claim by A'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post | 1 Jun 2002 Bt cotton fails in Indonesia http://www.thejakartapost.com/yesterdaydetail.asp?fileid=20020601.L03 Bt cotton fails in Indonesia http://www.thejakartapost.com/yesterdaydetail.asp?fileid=20020601.L03
SAVING THE SEED: EUROPE'S CHALLENGE by ALVARO TOLEDO | 25 Apr 2002 Seedling - April 2002 The 1990s have not been a good decade for agricultural biodiversity in Europe. Lack of helpful reform in the Common Agricultural Policy, new legislative restrictions on seeds and a persistent move towards private industry controlling the seed markets has led to further intensification of agriculture and the disempowerment of farmers. But individuals, farmers, communities and non-government organisations are fighting back. Their actions are sometimes even supported with new national and European legislation and funding opportunities. The 1990s have not been a good decade for agricultural biodiversity in Europe. Lack of helpful reform in the Common Agricultural Policy, new legislative restrictions on seeds and a persistent move towards private industry controlling the seed markets has led to further intensification of agriculture and the disempowerment of farmers. But individuals, farmers, communities and non-government organisations are fighting back. Their actions are sometimes even supported with new national and European legislation and funding opportunities.