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ICTSD Programme on IPRs and Sustainable Development
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who have experience in negotiation technology
transfer contracts, in partnership with an
organization of skilled professionals interested
in the transfer of technology or licensing of IP
rights such as the Licensing Executives Society. 49
Any project that seeks to automate licensing
decision-making, especially one designed by
developed country parties, risks compounding
the problem of lack of bargaining power.
Finally, automated licensing mechanisms do not
address the central problem of negotiation of
technology contracts: inequality of bargaining
power. Best-practice guides may be useful, but
the real problems are lack of training and lack
of bargaining power. This can be addressed by
training programmes in practical skills and by
attempting to grow developing country patent
ownership of climate change technologies, an
ambitious but doable task over the medium to
long term.
All of the above approaches may have some
utility, but only in the context of innovation
strategy that will empower developing countries
to own and manage their own climate change IP.
Resources that could be devoted to addressing
the real problems of lack of bargaining power
and weak innovation infra-structure should not
be diverted to these approaches.