High-profile expert to leave South Centre suddenly
IP-Watch reports that Sisule Musungu, a key expert of the international community discussing copyright and patent reform, has been asked to leave his position yesterday without warning.
He was the head of the South Centre’s Innovation and Access to Knowledge programme. In this function, he worked hard to give more weight to the interests of developing countries at the WTO, WIPO, and many a UN organisation. He is a prime expert on policies about copyrights, patents and other intellectual monopoly powers (IMPs), and much respected throughout the Access to Knowledge scene.
He is the author of numerous texts on TRIPS, patents, and the consequences of IMPs on developing countries. He is also a brilliant thinker and analyst.
The South Centre is an intergovernmental think tank for developing countries in Geneva. It is vital in coordinating southern policy interests, as developing country representation at international organisations often suffers from a lack of coordination.
IPWatch says that his departure is related to a disagreement with the South Centre’s director, and that Musungu will challenge the decision. I’ve benefitted enormously from Sisule’s expertise, and hope to be able to continue meeting him in my line of work, in this function or another important one.