The most important man in IP
01 October 2008
Managing Intellectual Property
This month, Francis Gurry takes over the role of WIPO director general, as the world's only international organisation dedicated to intellectual property begins its recovery from a period of criticism and stagnation. In an exclusive interview, he discusses the challenges WIPO faces, the changes he will make and why he is the right man for the most important job in IP
In 1985, when Francis Gurry started working at the World Intellectual Property Organisation, "IP was a speciality known only to practitioners of IP". Twenty-three years on, as he takes over as director general of the Organisation, he believes the IP world has changed remarkably. "IP is now a subject of recurrent discussion in newspapers on a daily basis," he says.
For WIPO itself, much of that newspaper discussion has been hostile over the past two years as accusations about mismanagement, lack of leadership and even fraud have been made in the press in Geneva and beyond. Gurry, who began his six-year term on October 1, says that the troubles of the recent past have prevented WIPO from fulfilling its core role. He intends to change that. In a telephone interview with Managing IP on the eve of his appointment by WIPO's General Assembly on September 22, Gurry said his main...
Only subscribers have complete access to Managing IP Magazine,
log in or
subscribe now.
Alternatively take a
free trial, giving you 48-hour access to Managing IP Magazine (some articles and surveys may be excluded).
Subscribe Now
This article is available to subscribers. Please click subscribe to read the rest of the article.
Subscribe
Take a free trial
Please take a free 48-hour trial to gain limited access. Some articles and surveys may be excluded.
Take a free trial