August 1, 2013
Back in March 2012 the CGIAR Principles on the Management of Intellectual Assets (the “IA Principles”) were approved and adopted, formalizing a set of principles to govern the use of Intellectual Assets. These IA Principles were the result of a long period of drafting and negotiation – and represented a significant milestone in the CGIAR reform process.
Recently another important document was approved by the Consortium Board; the ‘Implementation Guidelines’ for the CGIAR Principles on the Management of Intellectual Assets which complement the IA Principles. The additional information and illustrations are aimed at facilitating a better understanding of the CGIAR IA Principles and will guide their interpretation and coherent implementation across the CGIAR Consortium. The IA Implementation Guidelines apply to all 15 member Centers of the Consortium, in particular the research activities carried out to implement the Strategy and Results Framework.
The ‘intellectual assets’ produced or acquired by Centers are the focus of both the IA Implementation Guidelines and the IA Principles. This means the results and/or products of research and development activities produced (or acquired) by Centers including; knowledge, publications, and other information products, databases, improved germplasm, technologies, inventions, know-how, processes, software and distinctive signs, whether or not they are protected by intellectual property rights.
Why do we need principles and guidelines about Intellectual Assets?
CGIAR recognizes that the sum total of past investments are embodied in its collective intellectual assets. These assets need to be effectively managed for the benefit of smallholder farmers all over the world. The CGIAR IA Principles, and the accompanying guidelines are one of many tools aimed at achieving the CGIAR Vision, a vision rooted in four principle goals; (a) reducing poverty and hunger, (b) improving human health and nutrition, (c) increasing food security and (d) enhancing ecosystem resilience through high-quality international agricultural research, partnership and leadership.
The approved IA Implementation Guidelines provide guidance with regard to the production, acquisition, management and dissemination of IA across the Consortium ensuring a healthy culture of transparency and consistency is achieved across its various research programs. This in turn creates opportunities for research partnerships and guards against misappropriation of intellectual assets by third parties.
Approval by the Consortium Board of the Implementation Guidelines is a positive step towards a consistent Consortium-wide approach to IA management and towards ensuring global access and use of CGIAR IA.
For more information
See selection of news items and documents on CGIAR Legal Counsel and Intellectual Property page
“The exceptions that prove the rule; navigating intellectual property rights in public sector research” (cgiar.org)
CGIAR IA Implementation Guidelines
CGIAR IA Principles
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