2:00-5:00 p.m.
Joint Program of Sections on Intellectual Property Law and International Human Rights

• Dan L. Burk, University of Minnesota, and Chair and Program Chair, Section on Intellectual Property Law
• George Eugene Edwards, Indiana University, Indianapolis, and Chair, Section on International Human Rights

Speakers:

• Rosemary J. Coombe, Research Chair in Law, Communication and Cultural Studies, Osgoode Hall Law School, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
• Laurence R. Helfer, Loyola Law School, Los Angeles
• Peter A. Jaszi, American University
• James Love, Director, Consumer Project on Technology, The Center for Study of Responsive Law, Washington, D.C.
• Ruth L. Okediji, University of Minnesota

International debate over the role of intellectual property in a global economy, as well as the implementation of international intellectual property rights treaties, has focused attention both on intellectual property as a human right as well as intellectual property as an impediment to human rights. The right of artists, inventors, or even cultural groups to control information has been asserted as a fundamental principle. At the same time, expanding intellectual property restrictions on expressive activity, on pharmaceuticals, plants, and other innovative products, may stand as an impediment to fundamental human rights to expression, health, or nutrition. This panel examines each of these sets of arguments from a variety of practical and theoretical perspectives.

Business Meeting of Section on Intellectual Property at Program Conclusion