Taking on issues in the digital environment: SLMUN 2018 simulates WIPO.

Muqaddasa Wahid and Amana Iflal

SLMUN 2018 will be simulating a committee that has never been simulated in the Sri Lankan MUN arena. Patent protection is something we all should be concerned about because patent piracy is something that is common yet not talked about widely. How would you feel, if you do not get the deserved credit and recognition for your intellectual property? An intellectual property made with endurance, unrelenting efforts and hard work. WIPO makes sure that such issues are minimized.

At SLMUN 2018, delegates would be discussing a wide range of issues regarding Intellectual Property (IP) and software patent protection and also will be finding solutions to counterfeiting and piracy issues. SLMUN 2018 chose to simulate WIPO with a main focus in this field as the digital space in Sri Lanka is dominated by the youth. These issues come under the purview of WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization). It is the global forum for intellectual property services, policy, information and cooperation and a self-funding agency of the United Nations, with 191 member states.

Its mission is to lead the development of a balanced and effective international IP system that enables innovation and creativity for the benefit of all. IP extends from industrial knowledge to digital broadcasts and play a role in protecting traditional knowledge. IP is protected in law by, for example, patents, copyright and trademarks, which enable people to earn recognition or financial benefit from what they invent or create. By striking the right balance between the interests of innovators and the wider public interest, the IP system aims to foster an environment in which creativity and innovation can flourish.

WIPO currently has 191 member states, administers 26 international treaties, and is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. The current Director-General of WIPO is Francis Gurry, who took office on 1 October 2008. 188 of the UN member states as well as the Cook Islands, Holy See and Niue are members of WIPO. Nonmembers are the states of Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Solomon Islands and South Sudan. Palestine has permanent observer status.

WIPO has established WIPOnet, a global information network. The project seeks to link over 300 intellectual property offices (IP offices) in all WIPO Member States. In addition to providing a means of secure communication among all connected parties, WIPOnet is the foundation for WIPO’s intellectual property services.

Delegates in the WIPO will be expected to approach issues with a broader scope to come up with feasible and innovative solutions suitable for the current situations and can be adapted to future developments. If you are a delegate who is broad minded, diplomatic, is very familiar with the digital space and has an interest in conflict settlement- WIPO is the committee for you! Being knowledgeable in patent law, copyright law, property law and the international treaties will be an added plus point and help you come up with feasible solutions and keep up an interesting discourse during conference.

Register up for SLMUN 2018 on www. slmun.org before June 30th 2018 and be a part of the first ever simulation of the WIPO.

WIPO currently has 191 member states, administers 26 international treaties, and is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. The current Director-General of WIPO is Francis Gurry, who took office on 1 October 2008. 188 of the UN member states as well as the Cook Islands, Holy See and Niue are members of WIPO. Non-members are the states of Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Solomon Islands and South Sudan. Palestine has permanent observer status.