Submissions/How the intellectual property regime is killing free knowledge and innovation in the Global South

This is a Completed submission for Wikimania 2017 ready to be reviewed by a member of the Programme Committee.

Submission no. 4006 Subject - OS or LE2

Title of the submission

How the intellectual property regime is killing free knowledge and innovation in the Global South

Type of submission (lecture, panel, tutorial/workshop, roundtable discussion, lightning talk, poster, birds of a feather discussion)

Lecture

Author of the submission

Fernando Otero

type of submission

Language of presentation

English

E-mail address

licotero-wpyahoo.com.ar

Username

Mapep

Country of origin

Argentina

Affiliation, if any (organisation, company etc.)

Personal homepage or blog

Abstract (up to 300 words to describe your proposal)

The intellectual property legal regime poses a threat to the development of free knowledge and innovation in the Global South. Central powers take political and financial advantage from both main branches, copyright and industrial property (patents and trademarks), but also from the sui generis branches, like plant varieties. Underdeveloped and developing countries are severely conditioned as a result.

I’ll be quickly pointing out the main aspects of the current legislation in various countries Intellectual property current conditions show an increasing criminalization in the infringement of intellectual property laws, and the registration agencies prove to have a very relaxed criteria for the issuing of intellectual property rights. The right to access to the culture and education is being compromised. This legal and economic system not only favors, but encourages the production of goods protected by the intellectual property regime, partly because of the creation of artificial scarcity.

Global South economies are forced to limit their exports to raw materials, and to produce food from protected, genetically modified seeds. They cannot compete with the developed world, because of economies of scale. And they’re facing increasing difficulties to secure capital goods, which are also restricted by the intellectual property international laws, completing a vicious circle which perpetuates inequalities in the world. Moreover, their free knowledge communities cannot uphold their rights in that regime which, at the same time, does not provide legal basis for free knowledge projects, their licenses and/or their values.

What will attendees take away from this session?

An insight of the problems in the Global South regarding the international intellectual property laws, and why it's an issue that threatens free knowledge projects.

Theme of presentation

Legal & Free Culture

For workshops and discussions, what level is the intended audience?

Length of session (if other than 25 minutes, specify how long): 25 minutes

Will you attend Wikimania if your submission is not accepted?: Yes (pending scholarship approval)

Slides or further information (optional)

Special requests

This is a Completed submission for Wikimania 2017 ready to be reviewed by a member of the Programme Committee.

Interested attendees

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