The importance of incremental innovation for development
Submission to the World Health Organisation’s Commission
Publication date : 27/05/2005 | Document Number : 450/1001
ICC firmly believes that maintaining intellectual property protection for innovation, including so called “incremental innovation”, assists development, and in particular access to medicines in the developing world. That view was expressed, and its basis explained, by the ICC representatives who met the CIPIH in Brussels on 15 March 2005. This paper confirms that view and explains the reasons for it in more detail. It also addresses some of the specific questions raised by the CIPIH at that meeting.
The paper also seeks to clarify some of the apparent misunderstandings that seem to have arisen in this debate: such as the view (which ICC considers to be misconceived) that it is possible and helpful to distinguish between “incremental” and other forms of innovation; and the failure to appreciate the important distinction between the existence and the exercise of intellectual property rights. Further, it supports ICC’s basic premise through examples of the way in which intellectual property protection has enhanced innovation for the benefit of developing countries.
The patent system encourages innovation and, if the protection conferred by patents is overly prejudiced, there will be a reduction in investment in inventing, developing and commercialising new pharmaceutical and medical technology, to the detriment of everyone, in both developed and developing countries.
For further information, please contact
Daphne YONG-D'HERVÉ
Chief Intellectual Property Officer, IP Policy and Management, Intellectual Property
Tel:
+33 (0)1 49 53 28 24
daphne.yongdherve@iccwbo.org