Hi Alex, Thanks for your feedback, I'm sure that yours and others feedback will be welcomed by the Ministry. I have copied David on this message and by way of this message would like to ask him to join Kictanet so that he can also benefit from some of the discussion and feedback that is being shared. Mike On Nov 25, 2007 12:08 AM, Alex Gakuru <alex.gakuru@yahoo.com> wrote:
Hi Mike, All,
Appreciated this is only their version 1 of the conference thus commendable, also noted:-
"5.Target Groups
The conference and exhibition is expected to bring together Research Scientists, Technologists, and Managers of S&T Institutions; Policy-makers, Professionals (legal, medical, financial) and others with interest in Research, Science and Technology. If you can make a contribution to this important conference and exhibition, we at the Ministry would be pleased to hear from you whether you are a presenter, exhibitor or any other role."
--- Thus some preliminary issues I believe the Ministry may wish to have?
a)Firstly, the internet is not mentioned at all on the document both in terms of research into the internet itself and researched content posted onto the web? Cannot afford to leave Internet out of *any* policy deliberations in this digital age!
b)Whereas the conference targets both technologists and legal fraternity, I notice issues of Intellectual Property for the Health and Development Agenda is missing? for example, recall UoN HIV Vaccine issue and
other research by KARI, KEMRI, ICIPE, et. al., and "HOWTO" protect currently exposed local innovations.
c) Excessive and unbalanced "West" intellectual property rights:
In a digital world, one of the greatest threats to freedom of expression, creativity and innovation are excessive and unbalanced intellectual property rights. The Internet makes copies in order to display info, so copyright rules are implicated in order to read or share info on Internet.
We have moved to a place where our legal rules are in contrast with our technology – we have ability to share knowledge and culture but our legal rules often make it illegal to do so. So our social and development goals in contrast with our intellectual property rights legal rules.
This key point is frequently misunderstood by the public and government officials, and this misunderstanding is enabled by IP industry, who disseminates false information about the rights of consumers, and lobbies lawmakers to change the law and take more rights away from consumers.
<http://ipjustice.org/wp/2007/11/13/robin-gross-remarks-at-igf-2007-on-internet-bill-of-rights/>
d) Thus, I believe, the Ministry of Trade and Industry should somehow be involved because research results in traded products and services and international agreements they sign should take cognisance of this reality?
Do the organisers respond to emails because I am ready to be e-intouch but if they live their e-communication service charter:)
Perhaps others' have opinions?
thanks,
Alex
--- Mike Theuri <mike.theuri@gmail.com> wrote:
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