This movie is filmed and edited by Mike Upton and Dettie Gould. Mike was working uner the programme of IAKP, South Centre.This film aims to provide an accessible and engaging introduction to intellectual property and particularly patents, and the challenges they pose from a developing country perspective that is often lacking. To illustrate these challenges the film focuses on the dispute around access to medicines to treat HIV & TB in Africa and the associated problems of patent-led medical research. This example is used to ask broader questions of the current consensus that advocates a global "harmonized" patent system as the only means to secure development. In so doing, the film considers the alternatives that have been put forward and what these could mean for developing countries in particular.
South Centre is an intergovernmental organization and think-tank of developing countries based in Geneva. The Centre assists in developing points of view of the South on major policy issues, and generates ideas and action-oriented proposals for consideration by the collectivity of South governments and institutions.The Media and Communications Unit of South Centre produces digital video commentaries to support the three key areas where South Centre has developed substantial knowledge base are Trade for Development; Innovation, Access to Knowledge and Intellectual Property; and Global Governance for Development.
