| By: |
van Weelde, Jessyca;
Wu, Xiaoping;
Chiang, Ting-Wei (Alex);
Khazin, Bassam Peter |
| Abstract: |
Technology transfer is deeply embedded in the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related
Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS Agreement). Several provisions
address technology transfer, which constitute an essential part of the efforts
made by the TRIPS negotiators to strike a balance between the advancement of
technological innovation and the promotion of transfer and dissemination of
technology. Article 66.2 specifically obligates developed country Members to
provide incentives to enterprises and institutions in their territories to
promote and encourage technology transfer to least-developed country (LDC)
Members in order to enable them to create a sound and viable technological
base. This paper summarizes the WTO TRIPS Council's work on the implementation
of Article 66.2 from 2018 to 2020, including the implementation of a reporting
mechanism for developed country Members' programmes established by the TRIPS
Council and the TRIPS Council's review of the ensuing reports, and annual
Workshops convened to enhance practical dialogue on technology transfer under
this provision. In particular, it provides an analytical review of 708
programmes broken down into seven categories of technology, namely agriculture
and food; environment and climate change; information and communication
technology (ICT); public health and pharmaceuticals; intellectual property;
business, trade and finance; and education and social sciences. The paper also
reports on a survey of LDC Members which identified as priority areas for
technology transfer as agriculture and food; environment and climate change;
ICT; and public health and pharmaceuticals. The paper concludes by drawing on
lessons learned from the past 25 years' experiences and reflecting on
prospects for future work. |
| Keywords: |
technology transfer, LDCs, Article 66.2, TRIPS, incentives, agriculture, environment, public health, ICT, SDGs, knowledge transfer |
| JEL: |
F13 O3 O31 O34 O38 |
| Date: |
2023 |
| URL: |
http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:wtowps:280935&r=ipr |