Climate change and the IP system – help or hindrance?

http://www.ip-watch.org/weblog/index.php?p=1044
IP-watch posted an article on the 14th addressing the IP system in the context of climate change.  It’s referring to discussions that took place at the European Patent Forum earlier this month about the role the IP system plays in the battle against the effects of climate change.  No clear consensus was reached – which is not surprising given the breadth of arguments.  Reading a separate write-up from the Bangkok Climate Change talks last month delegates even discussed the possibility of enforcing compulsory licences to assist technology transfer of climate-related technologies see: http://www.ictsd.org/biores/08-04-04/story1.htm