Gurry in four-way fight for WIPO role

Francis Gurry is facing three challengers in his quest to be re-appointed as director general of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

WIPO has received four applications for the role, which is up for renewal, with Gurry (Australia), Geoffrey Onyeama (Nigeria), Jüri Seilenthal (Estonia) and Alfredo Suescum (Panama) all in the race.

The WIPO coordination committee, composed of 83 member states, will meet on March 6 and 7, 2014 to nominate a candidate. WIPO’s full general assembly will then make the final call in a meeting on May 8 to 9.

Gurry was appointed in 2008, replacing Kamil Idris. Of the remaining candidates this time, Onyeama is deputy director general of WIPO's development sector, Seilenthal is Estonia's permanent representative to the United Nations (UN) and Alfredo Suescum is chair of the TRIPs council at the World Trade Organization.

A source speaking off-the-record said because Gurry’s predecessor came from Africa (Sudan), and that unofficially WIPO rotates between continents when picking a director general, Onyeama is highly unlikely to be chosen.

He added: “At WIPO Australia falls under Europe and other, so technically Gurry is viewed as a European, so I would be surprised if Seilenthal could get it.

“That means it’s a toss-up between Suescum, from Panama, and Gurry. There has been a lot of fuss lately, but my money would be on Gurry to be re-elected,” the source said.

“Francis is a very talented politician, he has been at WIPO for a long time, he knows everybody.”

Gurry’s reign has not been free of controversy. Last year he attracted the ire of US politicians after sending computers to North Korea and Iran, before angering some member states when he agreed this year to set up a WIPO office in Moscow. On the ipwatchdog blog, attorney Gene Quinn said in November that Gurry was under pressure over his inability to pass WIPO’s budget, “which many attribute to being uncomfortable with the cosy relationship seen between Gurry and Russian president Vladimir Putin”.

Gwilym Roberts, partner at Kilburn & Strode LLP, who admitted that he knows Gurry but none of the other candidates, said the timing of the Russian controversy “cannot be accidental”.

“I hope that it won’t obscure the primary goal, which is to ensure that WIPO continues to function as an effective and respected body, whoever runs it,” he added.

“This is a busy organisation and operational experience is really important; Gurry seems to have a good track record in that respect, as long as he can retain the confidence of his constituents.

“It’s interesting to see that at a time when the US Patent and Trademark Office is struggling to find a permanent successor to David Kappos, there are so many contenders for the parallel WIPO post. I only hope it’s not seen as a soft option, as we need someone who can really perform in the post,” Roberts said.

The list of candidates is notable for its lack of women, especially as women have been appointed to senior roles in other UN agencies.

The appointed director general will serve for five years.