You might think that this is an Oscar posting but its in fact about the nominees for the WIPO DG chair.
The nomiated are:
- Mr. Jos̩ Gra̤a Aranha (Brazil) РCurrently Director for International registrations Dept. WIPO Рlaw degree (IP as specialty.
- Mr. Enrique A. Manalo (the Philippines) – Currently Undersecretary for policy, Foreign Dept. Phillipines – economist with a little IP experience in WIPO asssemblies
- Prof. James Otieno Odek (Kenya), Currently Managing Director of KIPI – Professor of Law with quite some WIPO experience
- Mr. Jos̩ Delmer Urbizo Panting (Honduras) Currently member of permanent UN mission in Geneva Рlaw degree and a lot of UN experience although not much IP relevant.
- Mr. Yoshiyuki Takagi (Japan) Currently Executive Director strategic Planning and Policy Development WIPO – Chemical engineer.
- Mr. Philippe Petit (France)- Currently Deputy Director WIPO, Law and political science and several ambassador posts (India, Sweden, Mauritius and UN)
So who will you put your money on? Do we dare vote for a Brazilian – will he tip the balance in favor of the developing nations? And is the same true for Honduras? With our experiences with the current DG disqualify the applicant from Kenya. Can we ever wote for a guy from France? That leaves the phillipines and Japan where Mr. Takagi is by far the most qualified…but do we need new blood in the organisation to flush out the current regime? Mr. Manolo is an Economist will he be able to get the organisation under control? Tough call. Maybe a controller/economist is not such a bad thing if accompanied by IP specialists?
Your Thoughts…