[ for immediate release ]
FSFE becomes WIPO observer
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is one of 16 specialised agencies of the United Nations which primarily deals with global policies granting monopolies on knowledge and other "virtualities." These policies filter down into local legislation, shaping the way humankind approaches the knowledge based society.
Currently there are many threats to the freedom of our society and our economy in a knowledge based society -- from the European Copyright Directive (EUCD) to the expansion of patentability -- originating at least ideologically at UN level and beyond discussion when they are finally passed as national laws. This leaves very little room to attempt to limit the harm and damaging effects.
For that reason, FSFE has requested to be granted observer status at the WIPO in 2003, which was confirmed by the Assembly of the Member States of WIPO from 27 September to 5 October, 2004.
In the scope of the FSFE WIPO project team [1], the FSFE will work with other players to change WIPO from an organisation that is solely oriented towards monopolisation of knowledge to one that is aimed at increasing the intellectual wealth of all of humankind through a more flexible, sustainable and effective tool set. [2]
"Whenever Civil Society tried to approach the issues of Patents, Copyrights and Trademarks during the United Nations World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), we were told that WIPO was the place to have these discussions and make these changes", Georg Greve, president of FSFE explains.
He continues: "If WIPO is the place to do this, then WIPO is where we need to participate to preserve freedom in the digital age."
More information can be found on the FSFE web site at
[1] http://fsfeurope.org/projects/wipo/ [2] http://fsfeurope.org/documents/wiwo.en.html
About the Free Software Foundation Europe:
The Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE) is a charitable non-governmental organisation dedicated to all aspects of Free Software in Europe. Access to software determines who may participate in a digital society. Therefore the Freedoms to use, copy, modify and redistribute software - as described in the Free Software definition- allow equal participation in the information age. Creating awareness for these issues, securing Free Software politically and legally, and giving people Freedom by supporting development of Free Software are central issues of the FSFE. The FSFE was founded in 2001 as the European sister organisation of the Free Software Foundation in the United States.
Further information: http://www.fsfeurope.org