The Ombuds Blog: Staff at World Intellectual Property Organization Oppose Changes to Ombuds Program

September 30, 2013

Staff at World Intellectual Property Organization Oppose Changes to Ombuds Program

IP-Watch is reporting that hundreds of WIPO staff members are supporting a petition urging their Director General to withdraw proposed changed to the agency's internal justice system, including the Ombudsman.

Staff at the UN-affiliated organization in Switzerland have complained that the proposed revision to the internal system of justice “will no longer meet the minimal requirement of justice and thus not adhere to the host country agreement” and would “allow for discrimination.” In addition, petitioners are concerned about the absence of qualifications for the position of an independent Ombudsperson and possible limits on the person’s areas of oversight. Elisabeth Merz has been the WIPO Ombudsman for the past three years. (IP-Watch; LinkedIn.)

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Organizational Ombuds serve as a confidential, independent, neutral and informal dispute resolution resource for a specific entity. They are accessible to a defined population and can advocate for fairness. These unique characteristics distinguish Organizational Ombuds from Classical Ombuds, mediators, arbitrators, and other alternative dispute resolution professionals. The term "Ombuds" is shorthand for "Ombudsman," "Ombudsperson" and "Ombuds Officer," which also are used widely.

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September 30, 2013

Staff at World Intellectual Property Organization Oppose Changes to Ombuds Program

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