The Commission services agreed that the OAU model law is interesting. It must be noted, however, that some of its provisions are not very well drafted, leaving the meaning of many provisions unclear and open to interpretation. In particular, the access regime for GRs appears overly cumbersome and difficult to implement. The provisions on plant variety protection are quite elaborate. WIPO would be the appropriate forum to set up an international framework to that effect.
Recognition is as important as protection.
An important problem is the fact that much TK is in the public domain. Action Aid warned that for many communities, writing is not part of culture. Documenting TK makes no sense for them. There should be capacity building for northern patent offices not to grant bad patents. COPA insisted on the importance of GIs and the need for a multilateral register.