The “Africa IP Forum,” originally cosponsored by WIPO, numerous intellectual property rightholders, and a handfull of governments, has been postponed. Civil society groups objected to the conference’s corporate sponsorship and IP-maximalist agenda, and had pushed for the cancellation of the meeting. Over 100 groups signed an open letter to WIPO warning that the strong IP policies advanced by the conference sponsors would not be beneficial to African countries. Rather, they were likely to block access to medicines, access to knowledge, and freedom of expression on the internet.
The U.S. Department of Commerce Statement reads: “The African Intellectual Property Forum, originally slated for April 3-5, 2012 in Cape Town, will be rescheduled. Organizers are committed to ensuring that all stakeholders – in government, private business, the arts and the development community – are represented and engaged in the conference organization and agenda.”
