US Backs Call For Investigation Into Claims Against Gurry

The United States mission in Geneva has issued a statement on the re-election of World Intellectual Property Organization Director General Francis Gurry, stressing governance issues and voicing strong support for an investigation into a complaint about alleged misconduct at WIPO.

Gurry was re-elected for six more years by consensus at an extraordinary WIPO General Assembly on 8 May.

The complaint was filed by the top American at WIPO, Deputy Director General James Pooley, a former US patent attorney, who said in the complaint he would seek whistleblower protection (IPW, WIPO, 7 May 2014). The US said there was a call for a “full, independent, and external investigation of the entirety of the complaint,” and that it expects the investigation “to be implemented promptly and executed expeditiously.” It was unclear at press time how this is expected to be carried out.

The US did not make a statement about the investigation on the floor of the General Assembly, but it was mentioned by South Korea, and several regional groups, including the Group B developed countries, made statements calling for better governance and more member state involvement at WIPO.

Below is the US mission statement (link here):

Media Note: WIPO General Assembly

The General Assembly of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) confirmed the re-election of Director General Francis Gurry on May 8.  The United States looks forward to working closely with the Director General and WIPO Member States to ensure that WIPO is a strong, well governed and forward-looking institution that is responsive to Member States.

The United States is deeply committed to the principles of transparency and accountability, including whistleblower protections, in all international organizations.  We strongly support the call made in the General Assembly meeting today for a full, independent, and external investigation of the entirety of the complaint filed by a WIPO Deputy Director General.  We expect this investigation to be implemented promptly and executed expeditiously.