WIPO Defied UN Sanctions To Give Computers To Iran... For Its Patent System (Wink, Wink)
from the wow dept
Way to go WIPO. You may recall back in April we wrote about how the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), a part of the UN, flat out ignored UN sanctions and gave computers to North Korea, claiming that they were to help North Korea allow for better searching of international patents. This is, of course, ridiculous, because North Korea clearly could not care any less about anyone's patents -- but does want computing power for its nuclear program. Given that, I guess it should come as little surprise that WIPO is now being accused of the exact same thing with Iran (found via Ars Technica). Yup, WIPO apparently supplied computers to Iran to "modernize" its patent office, because we all know how much Iran cares about respecting the patents of others.Geneva-based WIPO has a mandate from members to help developing countries modernize their patent offices. Iran and North Korea, both subjects of international trade embargoes including Security Council resolutions, were both beneficiaries of “standard information-technology equipment” after meeting WIPO’s needs-assessment and validation procedures, according to Edward Kwakwa, legal counsel at the organization.This would be the very same Edward Kwakwa, who in a private email that was revealed when the North Korea story broke, told a very different story:
I would suggest we go ahead ONLY if you think this arrangement is of crucial importance to WIPO. But given the sensitivities and the broad sweep of the sanctions language, I would prefer that WIPO simply desist from entering into any such arrangement, as it does not seem to be of any consequence or benefit to WIPO, and can bring more trouble than benefit ultimately.We noted in the story about North Korea that WIPO officials admitted that they had done these kinds of operations before. I had, at the time, assumed they just meant with North Korea. I didn't realize they also meant with other countries seeking to be nuclear powers and under UN sanctions. It makes you wonder who else WIPO is helping to "modernize its patent office."
Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.
Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.
While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.
–The Techdirt Team
Filed Under: edward kwakwa, iran, north korea, sanctions, united nations, wipo
Reader Comments
Subscribe: RSS
View by: Time | Thread
[ link to this | view in thread ]
[ link to this | view in thread ]
[ link to this | view in thread ]
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Seriously, what is wrong with these people?
Why have they not been held criminally responsible?
Enough already!
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Black eye, but does it matter
Yes, the WIPO was naughty by giving computers, and it shows a twisted sense of priorities when they think that patent systems should justify bending the rules.
But the sanction against computers is dumb and all it does is prevent common Iranians from getting machines that could help them get real propaganda-free news in and out of their hands.
It's not really stopping the government.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Black eye, but does it matter
Iran desperately needs several top of the line supercomputers to, er..., um, to help speed up its patent searches.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Re: Black eye, but does it matter
[ link to this | view in thread ]
So.......
[ link to this | view in thread ]
So I'll just call for more transparancy and oversight. Not that it will ever happen. The corrupt don't uncorrupt themselves.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re:
After watching a few congressional hearings with normal citizens over the years, I've come to the conclusion that transparency and honesty are simply not in the repertoire of our current politicians. I've never seen so many blank stares and stymied faces as in DC when someone has the gall to be completely honest. Its outside of protocol, and completely unknown in practice or expectation.
If transparency will ever happen there will need to be a long period of social and professional "education" and evolution in DC.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
before and after
Then: "Shit guys, you're gonna get us in trouble!"
Now: "Nothing to worry about here."
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Re: Black eye, but does it matter
Does it suck for ordinary Iranians? Sure, but lots of things do. And cellphones are doing most of what the AC above is suggesting PCs would do, anyway.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Future twists of history
[ link to this | view in thread ]
[ link to this | view in thread ]