The Yale Access to Knowledge conference has kicked off. Check out the A2K2 wiki for session notes and updates!

I am a pediatrician work in medical service in Adnoc company in U.A.E ,Abudhabi,and i am planning to be a member in Doctors without borders to in plces which needs medical aid,i am nearly 65years old but i have a good health and fitness to help and work .
I need your guidence how to subscribe in this organisation. Thanks

Excerpt from ICTSD report on Hong Kong WTO Ministerial: "Peru, Kenya and India have submitted proposals for draft text on the relationship between the Agreement on Trade-related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Peru simply suggested intensifying discussions on prior proposals made by a group of developing countries led by India, Brazil and Peru on requiring patent applicants to disclose the origin of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge, as well as provide evidence of prior informed consent and benefit-sharing. The Kenyan text would narrow down work on the TRIPS-CBD relationship to "disclosure, prior informed consent and benefit sharing relating to inventions based on biological/genetic resources and/or traditional knowledge." This work should be completed by 30 November 2006. The most strongly worded proposal, put forward by India, would require the TRIPS Council to recommend an amendment to the TRIPS Agreement making it mandatory to disclose origin and provide evidence of prior informed consent and benefit-sharing. The US, Canada, New Zealand and Australia strongly resisted these proposals."

The following is from the International Center for Trade and Sustainable Development's daily update on the Hong Kong WTO Ministerial: "To the surprise of many, Indian Commerce Minister Kamal Nath on Wednesday called for negotiations on the relationship between the TRIPS Agreement and the Convention on Biological Diversity to be launched in Hong Kong. Referring to growing popular discontent in developing countries about biopiracy and the misappropriation of traditional knowledge for commercial gain, Mr Nath said India intended to raise the matter in Green Room discussions. India has long supported requiring patent-seekers to disclose the source and country of origin of any genetic resources and traditional knowledge used in the development of an invention.

LDCs Agree To Shorter Extension For TRIPS Implementation - Least-developed members of the World Trade Organization on 29 November agreed to extend the transition period for implementing the WTO agreement on intellectual property rights by seven and a half years, a reduction by half of their original request.

In addition, least developed countries agreed not to roll back on their ... [IP Watch]

Follow this link to the excellent website of the MSF access to essential medicines campaign - [del.icio.us a2k and health feed]

MA essay on TRIPS and F/OSS - [del.icio.us a2k feed]

A2K Treaty draft Proposal for Requirement for Formalities When Copyright Term Exceeds TRIPS Requirements.