IPDEV project

Provisions on intellectual property rights have a strong impact on economic growth, environmental protection and social objectives. Within the IPDEV projects, Ecologic points out policies related to intellectual property rights that support the achievement of sustainable development goals. On the grounds of quantitative and qualitative analysis, it is studied how the candidate countries for EU membership and the developing countries can derive maximum benefit from the provisions on intellectual property rights, in order to support the sustainable development.

The research addresses three key areas:

1. promoting environmentally-sustainable development through the use of geographical indications;
2. capacity building and technical assistance for policy coherence and sustainable development; and
3. exploring the flexibilities of TRIPS Article 27.3(b) to maximise policy options in biotechnology and crop breeding by (a) stimulating innovation and technology transfer, and (b) facilitating the equitable sharing of benefits arising from the commercial use of biodiversity.

Project results are represented and discussed at a seminar with interested parties, including the European Commission, Member State and Candidate Country representatives, IPR experts and other stakeholders.

IPDEV is financed within the Sixth EU Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP6).

All reports resulting from the project may be downloaded here.

• Summary report on all work packages

Work packages:

• Work package 3: Assessing the Applicability of Geographical Indications as a Means to Improve Environmental Quality in Affected Ecosystems and the Competitiveness of Agricultural Products
• Final Report WP3
• Case studies:
  • Arroz de Valencia
  • Borsac Mineral Water
  • Edremit Gulf Region Olive Oil
  • West Country Farmhouse Cheddar
  • Hisarska Mineral Water
  • Idiázabal Cheese
  • Jersey Royal Potatos
  • Diepholzer Moorschnucke
  • Bulgarian Rose Oil
  • Schwäbisch Hall Quality Pork
  • Sierra Mágine Olive Oil
  • Spreewald Gherkins 

• Work package 4: Identifying models of best-practice in the provision of technical assitances to facilitate the implementation of the TRIPS Agreement
• Final Report WP4
• Work package 5: The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture Implications for Developing Countries Interdependence with International Biodiversity and Intellectual Property Law
• Final Report WP5
• Workpackage 6: Assessing the economic implications of different models for implementing the requirement to protect plant varieties
• Final Report WP6
• Case Studies:
  • Bulgaria
  • China
  • Ethiopia
  • India
  • Kenya
  • Turkey

• Review of Economic Literature
• Review of Legal Literature
• Workpackage 7: Exploring the flexibilities of TRIPS to promote biotechnology capacity building and appropriate technology transfer
• Final Report WP7
• Workpackage 8: Disclosure of Origin in IPR Applications: Options and Perspectives of Users and Providers of Genetic Resources
• Final Report WP8

Funding
European Commission, Directorate–General Research (DG Research)

Partner
Queen Mary University of London (QMUL), United Kingdom
Universidad de Alicante (UA), Spain
IP Consulting, Bulgaria
Chatham House (Chatham House), United Kingdom
University of Warwick, United Kingdom
Duration January 2005 to June 2006