CAS-IP is the principal unit for service to the CGIAR system in the area of intellectual property management, especially as it relates to transfer and use of the products of the CGIAR Future Harvest (FH) Centers and Challenge Programs (CPs) as public goods. CAS-IP works in partnership with the IP managers and focal points of the FH Centers and the CP to identify, define, and enable distribution of Center and CP products.

Key Achievements in 2005

Support the Partnerships and Collaborative Efforts of the CPs and FH Centers

FH Centers work primarily in partnership with other international and national organizations in all phases of research, product development, distribution, and uptake. These partnerships can take many forms, including networks, formal collaborations, alliances, consultations, and programs. It is important that the partnership environment promote trust, responsibility, and action among the partners.

CAS-IP supported partnerships in several ways.(see footnote 1) With input and assistance from Center IP managers and focal points and the Genetic Resources Policy Committee ( GRPC), CAS-IP developed a standard template to guide the Centers in updating their IP policy statements. CAS-IP and the Generation Challenge Program (GCP) continued to revise and refine the GCP Consortium Agreement to provide a foundation document for effective collaboration. With the support of the Institutional Learning and Change initiative, CAS-IP published a short paper describing CGIAR experiences with drafting collaborative agreements. This paper can act as a guide or "Good Practice Note" for staff contemplating initiation of a partnership.(see footnote 2) CAS-IP also negotiated with donors, attended CGIAR consultations with partners, facilitated discussions between Centers and funders, and reviewed agreements (both those originating with the Centers and those originating from partners) to assist Centers with retaining rights, thus facilitating distribution of project products.

Foster In-Center Capacity in IP Management

CAS-IP has worked to develop in-center capacities in IP management through a variety of activities, including the following:

• Organizing the Fifth Annual IP Strategy Meeting of the Center IP managers and focal points to exchange of experiences in IP management among the Centers;
• Hiring a legal expert to support CAS in providing assistance to the Centers, CPs, and their partners(see footnote 3);
• Providing in-center legal expertise through the law student summer internship program;
• Carrying out studies to enhance the tools and streamline the procedures of Centers to improve in-center identification of the public goods they produce;
• Giving in-center presentations to raise awareness and skills in IP management practice and technology transfer.

Assess IP Management Practice in the Centers and CPs

During 2004 and 2005, with financial support from the GRPC and the CGIAR SC, CAS-IP surveyed all the FH Centers and CPs about their IP management practices. Those data, along with data collected during visits to the FH Centers (see footnote 4) and information from published reports, form the basis of a report to be published in 2006.

Collaboration with Other SO Units

CAS-IP functions by working in partnerships. The CAS-IP team includes CAS staff, FH Center IP managers and focal points, and consultants who provide legal services and advice to the Centers. CAS-IP is a member of the CGIAR SO and works with the other SO units to increase the effectiveness of IP management in the CGIAR system.

During 2005, CAS directly collaborated with the FHAO in the preparation of two key documents:

• Alliance Principles and Procedures, a framework of guiding principles, policies, and guidelines to support the newly formed Alliance of Future Harvest Centers
• The foundation agreement between the FH Centers and the members of the CGIAR PSC, which provides guidance for exchange of scientific staff under the SKEP.

Both documents were written to support collaborative and partnership efforts.

In a continuation of work that was initiated in 2004, CAS-IP worked with the CGIAR IAU on the development of risk management guidelines and, with the IAU, provided input to support and advise Centers on the implementation and monitoring of the Global Public Good Assets (GPGA) Rehabilitation Initiative. In particular, CAS-IP was a member of the IPGRI Risk Management Task Force, a role that involved providing input into the risks associated with IP management, legal issues, and reputation issues. CAS-IP also contributed to the final report on the GPGARI prepared by IAU.

Collaboration with the CGIAR Chief Information Officer (CIO), overseeing the CGIAR's Information and Communications Technology-Knowledge Management (ICT-KM) Program, included feedback and input into the ICT-KM 2006 Investment Plan and joint work on the finalization of the report on the GPGA Upgrade Initiative.