Part II Commercial Aspects of the Marine Environment, 10 The Work of WIPO and Its Possible Relevance for Global Ocean Governance

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the work of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and its possible relevance for global ocean governance. It first provides a background on WIPO and its activities, legal foundations and mandate before asking whether there is a place for intellectual property (IP) considerations in regard to global ocean governance. It then considers what role, if any, WIPO should play, as the competent UN agency responsible for the development of a balanced and effective international IP system, in strengthening the contribution of IP to the global governance of oceans, in line with Sustainable Development Goals 14 (Life below water). It also describes some key areas of overlap and possible interrelationships between global ocean governance and the work of WIPO from both normative and practical standpoints. Finally, it reflects on WIPO’s future role in the context of the evolving sustainable ocean governance.