The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is a likely vector for intelligence gathering by participants from China and Russia.
Last week I noted a young, former Rostec executive (per his LinkedIn profile) working in Geneva, Switzerland apparently assigned to WIPO and more probably than not under pressure of the Putin regime. Indeed, in posted videos of innovation workshops, a Chinese colleague of his appeared to work jointly in spotting young IP-innovating talent from around the world. Eyes open and heads-up to free nation governments.
James Pooley, a former deputy director-general at WIPO in 2019 blew the whistle on Beijing’s full court press to gain control of WIPO while it was yet one of the world’s top pilferers of IP. Mr. Pooley reportedly said of China’s efforts at controlling WIPO: “Why would you want to put the fox in charge of the henhouse?”
China’s effort to dominate WIPO brings to mind Russia’s abuse of Interpol, camouflaging the unaccountable dictatorship’s agenda within a rule of law institution.
