| Organized by the World
Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the Department of Trade and
Industry (DTI) of the Republic of South Africa, the aim of the Forum will
be to explore and discuss how invention and innovation influence social,
economic, cultural and technological development, and how invention and
innovation can be stimulated and promoted to contribute to the generation
of employment and creation of wealth. The Program will provide an
opportunity for business leaders, government officials,
IP specialists, and academic experts, to exchange knowledge and
information on topical issues noted in the themes listed hereinafter.
Furthermore, it is expected that the Forum will send a strong message to
policy makers and the business community about the growing importance of
creativity, inventions and innovation, and intellectual property for
social and economic development and how it is used to serve in reaching
development objectives and goals.
Forum Themes/Topics: 1. Wealth Creation through Invention, Innovation and Creativity− Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Aspects of Inventions and Innovations as the Key to Technological and Social Progress − Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) and Their Role in Economic, Cultural and Development Policies 2. Inventors, Innovators and Creators – the Intellectual Capital of Nations− From Ideas to the Product and the Market − How Inventors, Innovators and Creators Benefit from Their Achievements and What Should be the Involvement and Benefit of the State/Government? − Roles of Employee Inventors and Individual Inventors in the Innovation Cycle − Inventors – Are they Non-Conformists that Rock the Boat of Comfort and Tradition? − Can an Inventor Become a Millionaire? Who Will Benefit from the Flash of Creativity and How? 3. Intellectual Property in a Knowledge-Based Society − The Role of Copyright and Future Challenges to Creators, Industry, Legislators and Society at Large – Traditional Knowledge, including Folklore and Its Use and Protection – Genetic and Biological Resources and IPRs − Inventors’ and Creators’ Rights as Basic Human Rights − IPRs, Information Technologies in a Knowledge-based Society 4. Increase Awareness and Understanding of Intellectual Property Systems − Enhance, Structure and Customize National and Regional Activities − Progressive Development of International IP Laws − Enhance Market-Oriented Services and Global Protection Systems |
5. Inventions
and Innovations − Key Elements in The Strive for
Competitive Advantage
− Crucial Factors for Accelerated Economic and Social Development − Enterprises – Key Actors in Creating the Facilitating Environment for Commercialization of Inventions and Innovations − The Role of Universities and Research and Development (R&D) Organizations in the Innovation Cycle – Ownership of IPRs, resulting from Public- and Private-funded Research − IPR Issues in Transfer and Technology from Universities, Research and Development Organizations to Industry 6. Conditions for Successful Economic and Social Use of Inventions and Innovations− Financing Development of Inventions and Innovations to the Product and Market Stages – National/Regional Innovation Funds (presentation of innovation support funds and programs such as African Funds for the Promotion of Innovation (FAPI), Cradle Investment Programme (CIP) – Micro-enterprise Development – Venture Capital Submissions :Papers will be grouped by theme/topic, and presented during the Forum. A session moderator will identify the theme, issues and introduce each of the speakers. Individual presentations will be from 8 to 10 minutes in duration, depending on the number of papers selected for each session. Each presenter is requested to submit a 8-10 page paper, as part of the Forum proceedings program. If you wish to be considered please send us the following: (1) the title of your paper in English or French and a short abstract (1/2) page;(2) your name, company affiliation, address, telephone and fax nos., e-mail and web page address;(3) short (half page) CV describing your experience in the subject area and your educational background;(4) deadline for submissions in Word or PDF format is April 28, 2005; contributions in other languages (Spanish, Russian) can only be accepted if accompanied by an abstract, in English or French; (5) contributions that have been accepted will be included in the final proceedings of the Forum. ___________________________________________Please Send Submissions to :Division for Infrastructure Services and Innovation Promotion (DISIP) World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) 34, chemin des Colombettes, 1211 Geneva 20 Tel.: (+41-22) 338-9485, Fax: (+41-22) 338-9764 E-mail: innovpro.mail@wipo.int |