This e-debate ran for 6 weeks and covered these issues: A general overview of IPR in the information society; the traditional role of copyright and patents; issues in developing countries and the pros and cons of IPR enforcement for developing countries. It also covered the existing legal instruments and relevant organisations--including WTO TRIPS, TRIPS Plus, WIPO Internet Treaties and Free Trade Agreements that include IPR.

Other issues discussed during the debate included applications of IPR in Africa, protection of local content and indigenous knowledge; relevance and use of IPR laws for local creative industries and alternatives to the existing IPR regimes.

The full report will be available here soon. Visit the debate's homepage for additional background information, resources and an archive of the debate itself.

Next e-debate coming in December 2005!