Idris Travels to Canada to Promote GreaterAwareness of Intellectual Property Issues Relating to E-Commerce

Geneva, October 16, 1998
Press Updates UPD/1998/37

Last week, Dr. Kamil Idris, Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) travelled to Canada to participate in high level discussions with key Government ministers, business leaders and intellectual property specialists.

During his visit to Ottawa, the Director General addressed the Ministerial-level Conference on Electronic Commerce organized by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the Government of Canada (October 7 to 9, 1998). In his presentation, Dr. Idris discussed the role of WIPO in establishing the ground rules for global electronic commerce in the area of intellectual property.

Electronic commerce is fast assuming major economic and policy importance. Projections suggest that the volume of electronic commerce could rise to US$300 billion by the year 2000. This Conference was perceived as a "major milestone in the international community's efforts to maximize the economic and social benefits" offered by this commercial medium. Attended by Government ministers, representatives from industry and public interest groups, it provided an important opportunity to build broad consensus on issues of critical importance to international business and policy makers.

Director General Idris also attended a series of roundtable discussions on themes central to the evolution and global growth of electronic commerce. Such themes included the importance of establishing basic ground rules for global electronic commerce, security considerations and the need to strengthen technological infrastructure globally. Discussions also focused on ways to maximize the benefits of global electronic commerce and the importance of raising public awareness of the potential social and economic benefits to be derived from it.

The adjustment of intellectual property norms is of pivotal importance in developing a stable operating environment conducive to the growth of electronic commerce. WIPO is at the forefront of efforts to develop greater global awareness of this rapidly evolving area of international intellectual property law and practice. It is also actively addressing those intellectual property issues associated with Internet domain names, particularly in relation to trademarks. In this regard the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center has developed an on-line, Internet-based system for the administration of procedures for the resolution of domain name disputes. WIPO is also administering an international process to develop recommendations concerning certain intellectual property issues associated with domain names, including dispute resolution

In the course of his visit, Dr. Idris held discussions with the Canadian Minister for Industry, Mr. John Manley. He also met with members of the Canadian intellectual property community to whom he presented the full extent and breadth of the Organization's activities.

For more detailed information, please contact the Media Relations and Public Information Section of WIPO:

Tel.: (+41 22) 338 95 47 or 338 98 24
Fax: (+41 22) 338 88 10
E-mail: publicinf@wipo.int