The latest news for Intellectual Property (IP) law this week concerns the adoption of the new Fundamental Public Interest Principles for International Intellectual Property Negotiations. The Principles were endorsed by researchers, students, and policy specialists from all over the world at the Third Global Congress on Intellectual Property and the Public Interest, which took place in Cape Town, South Africa.

The Principles outline several basic issues that interest of the public. They warn negotiators to be mindful of the provisions of all intellectual property instruments and to define limitations and exceptions to rights that require regulation.

They go on to explain that lawmaking “should occur only through procedures that are public, inclusive, transparent and accountable so that law can best reflect the values and consent of the governed.” According to a recent InfoJustice report, the Principles also call for the rejection of any international law on intellectual property that is made through a process not including “ongoing releases of proposed legal provisions for public comment.”