AIPPI 2016: Organisation recognises the threat of climate change

AIPPI’s standing committee on IP and green technology today voted in favour of a resolution to tackle climate change.

Approved at the 2016 AIPPI World Congress in Milan, the resolution discusses the role of IP, particularly patent rights, in relation to the development, dissemination and implementation of green technologies.

One of the accepted provisions was: “Recognising the immediacy of the threat of climate change, procedures enabling applicants to elect for accelerated examination of patent applications covering green technologies should be supported.”

The resolution further sets the minimum standards for patent systems to follow the TRIPS Agreement, which would involve a careful balancing act and “require non-discrimination across technology areas”.

With a focus on how IP systems can serve as a tool for transferring technologies that will help developing countries mitigate and adapt to green technologies, the resolution intends to provide “a real and practical contribution to the development, dissemination and implementation of green technologies”.

Also discussed in the panel session was the development, adoption and use of international standards for green technology, which the committee proposed should be encouraged as such standards will help promote the rapid and widespread adoption of green technology.

The 2016 AIPPI World Congress runs until September 20.