In these issues papers, individual authors are invited to examine a subject of importance in the developing international intellectual property regime and highlight the key issues they see arising. The topics have been chosen following consultations with negotiators from developing countries and respond to their concerns. Our aim is to contribute to a greater understanding of the impact of changes in this area upon people’s lives and better inform debate and negotiations.

Occasional Paper 9 - Compulsory Licensing for Public Health Needs: The TRIPS Agenda at the WTO after the Doha Declaration on Public Health

Occasional Paper 1 - Notes of a talk given at Quaker House, Geneva, 12 September 2000 

Occasional Paper 6 - Some Assumptions On Patent Law And Pharmaceutical R&D 

Occasional Paper 4 - Notes of a talk given at Quaker House, Geneva, 16 May 2001 

There is a growing debate about intellectual property rights, food, farming, biodiversity, the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) and other agreements. This paper aims to draw on the various perspectives presented in the body of literature informing debate to:

• highlight, clearly and concisely, the policy questions raised for developing country governments by Article 27.3(b) of the TRIPS Agreement, in particular those concerning food security, and the options for the review of its provisions
• examine the key ethical, economic, environmental and social issues surrounding its provisions - and their relation to other international negotiations
• consider the possible contributions of overseas development assistance.