IP and philanthropy: The Gates Foundation's approach

• Author: Catherine Jewell
• Position: Communications Division, WIPO
• Pages: 17-20

p. 17WIPO | MAGAZINE

IP and Philanthropy:

the Gates Foundation’s

approach By Catherine Jewell,

Communications Division, WIPO

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foun dation is driven by the conviction that “every per son

deserves the cha nce to live a healthy and productive life.” Since 1994, the Founda-

tion has distributed some US$23 billi on in grants and is supporting work in over 100

countries. In its push to max imize the impact of its activities, the Foundation lives by

four core values - optimism, colla boration, rigor and innovation. “We believe in the

power of innovation to solve problems,” Bill Gates afrme d in his Dimbleby Lecture

in London (UK) in Janua ry 2013. Together with its partners, the Foundatio n has

developed over 100 innovations to help transform live s; some are already available

and others are schedule d for delivery by the end of the decade. WIPO Maga zine

sat down with Richard Wilde r, Associate Legal Counsel for the Foundati on’s Global

Health Program, who explain ed the role that intellectual propert y (IP) plays in the

Foundation’s work.

MAXIMIZING IMPACT

The Foundation focuses on key are as that will have the greatest social impact. “Our

Global Program targets a limited n umber of diseases and health conditions that ac-

count for a signicant sha re of illness and death in developing countries,” Mr. Wilder

Photo: © Bill & Melind a Gates Foundation / P rashant Panjia r

e Bill & Meli nda Gates Foundation is d riven

by the convict ion that “every pers on deserves

the chance to l ive a healthy and produ ctive

life.” Together with it s partners the Fou ndation

has developed ove r 100 innovations to

help transfor m lives. Intelle ctual proper ty

plays a role in enabl ing the Foundation

to achieve its g lobal access goa ls.

