The final day was scheduled to start at 10:30 to allow for further discussions about next steps on the different agenda items. Ominously, this start time slipped to 11:15 and then 11:30. Then finally, Vice Chair Martín Augusto Cortese assumed the chairmanship of the meeting for the presentation of the remaining items.

First up: GRULAC’s proposals on Copyright in the Digital Environment picked up from yesterday. Brazil likened the evolution of the SCCR agenda to Beckett’s Waiting for Godot. They also called for greater coordination between WIPO and other relevant multilateral bodies, particularly UNESCO and UNCTAD to ensure the coherence of Intellectual Property rules and the broader architecture of the digital economy. Failure to act, said Brazil, will result in the sidelining of the only international organization with a specific mandate on IP: Mr Chair, on the AI infrastructure interchange, while we favor exchanging ideas and practical solutions, Member States’ oversight is a core value of international organizations.

However, GRULAC failed to convince all Member States to make this a standing item.

After lunch, a little late…

Theatre Directors – the WIPO secretariat delivered an update. To be continued.

Then Proposal for a Study on Copyright Protection of Technical Standards from Canada, revised following comments this received consensus and will proceed.

Then USA presented its Proposal for a Study on the Impact of the Creative Industries on the Economic Growth of Member States. While many Member States supported, Brazil did not, leaving this item subject to futher discussions.

Then the USA took the floor again to present its Proposal for a Study on Types of Business Models and Economic Opportunities Created by and Through the Implementation of Technological Protection Measures (TPMs). Again, many Member States took the floor in support, but Brazil opposed noting the broad language and similarity to part of its own Copyright in the Digital Environment proposal.

Member States retreated to informals and observers were left with the dreaded sign “Next Plenary Session at a time to be announced.”

A bustle of activity at 17:30 – could an early finish be on the cards? Yes!

At 18:00 the Chair’s Summary was read out with no surprises and a very similar agenda forthcoming for SCCR 49. GRULAC expressed its disatisfaction at this stasis and lamented the image this projects of WIPO and multilateralism. The Chair has some homework.

Time stamp 18:38. SCCR 48 was closed and the delegates could indeed go out into the Geneva evening sun.

 

The titles for this week’s blog posts have all been book titles pulled from the recently published ‘100 Best Novels’ list published by The Guardian. If you are looking for a good book to read before the Chairman’s Summary is published you can have a look here: https://www.theguardian.com/books/ng-interactive/2026/may/12/the-100-best-novels-of-all-time

Thanks for reading