Call for input: Report on patent policy and the right to science and culture
Issued by
Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights
Published
04 August 2015
presented to
General Assembly at its 70th session, October 2015
Issued by
Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights
Published
04 August 2015
presented to
General Assembly at its 70th session, October 2015
Issued by Special Procedures
Subjects
Cultural rights, Science and technology
Symbol Number
A/70/279
Summary
In this report, the Special Rapporteur addresses the implications of patent policy for the human right to science and culture. She reaffirms the distinction between intellectual property rights and human rights, emphasizing that the right to the protection of the moral and material interests of authors does not necessarily coincide with the prevailing approach to intellectual property law. There is no human right to patent protection. The right to protection of moral and material interests cannot be used to defend patent laws that inadequately respect the right to participate in cultural life, to enjoy the benefits of scientific progress and its applications, to scientific freedoms, the rights to food and health and the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities.
For her 2015 reports to the Human Rights Council and the General Assembly, the Special Rapporteur focuses on the impact of intellectual property regimes on the enjoyment of right to science and culture.