WIPO Development And IP Committee Approves, Extends Projects Kicking Off New Era

The World Intellectual Property Organization Committee on Development and IP (CDIP) last week approved and extended a project implementing the WIPO Development Agenda in the areas of design protection, and a “game-changer” IP management and technology transfer project, and a conference for least-developed countries on copyright.

The project proposal of South Africa related to IP management and tech transfer, one of the project proposals approved during a meeting of the CDIP, is “a game changer”, the South African delegation said at the meeting. The project has the potential to function as “a spring board for further projects” and “enhance the use of existing technology transfer platforms,” according to the South African delegation.

The 19th session of the CDIP took place from 15-19 May. Part of the agenda was the evaluation and approval of several projects related to intellectual property and development. The CDIP extended a pilot project to a second phase and approved two project proposals.

IP and Design Management Extended

Daniel Keller, an independent consultant of EvalCo Sàr, presented on 15 May an evaluation report on the Pilot Project on Intellectual Property (IP) and Design Management for Business Development in Developing and Least-Developed Countries (LDCs) that took place in Morocco and Argentina.

The project aimed at reinforcing design protection mechanisms, and the strategic use of registered designs by small and medium enterprises in order to stimulate local innovation. Expansion of the capacity of national intellectual property offices and national design institutions was one of the specific objectives of the project.

The project was “highly relevant” and “well-prepared”, Keller said. The IP offices reported an increase in the number of design and trademark registrations by the end of the project.

Keller mentioned that the short duration of the project (three years) did not allow for long-term results. A follow-up phase would allow the ability to generate and maintain the interest and visibility at an international level. An expansion to other countries could offer additional insights on how to continue the strengthening of IP offices. All delegations agreed accordingly upon an extension of the project to a second phase. Morocco has already launched a second national phase of the project.

South Africa IP Management and Tech Transfer Approved

On 17 May, the CDIP approved the Revised Project Proposal of South Africa on Intellectual Property Management and Transfer of Technology.

The ambition of the project is to enhance innovation capabilities of developing countries, least-developed countries, and economies in transition. The goal is to ensure the application of intellectual property by increasing the ability to identify, manage and understand IP.

The project aims at building capacities of key stakeholders, including funders, developers, managers and users of IP. Workshops, on-the-job training, internships and South-South cooperation will form part of the project. The possibility of partnerships with IP management organisations, universities and other institutions with the relevant capabilities will also be explored.

No delegation objected to the proposal during the plenary session, but different delegations asked for more details and clarification. The project was approved on the basis of additional substantive information provided by the WIPO secretariat about the methodology and activities of the project.

The implementation of the project will take place in four pilot countries, one of which will be South Africa. The delegations of Chile, Ecuador, Indonesia and Lesotho expressed their interest in also participating as pilot countries.

International Conference for LDCs on Copyright

On 18 May, the CDIP discussed a proposal for an International Conference for Least-Developed Countries (LDCs) on Copyright and the Management of Public Sector Information.

The proposed international conference is the sixth activity of the New WIPO Activities Related to Using Copyright to Promote Access to Information and Creative Content, a set of projects. It was agreed during the tenth session of the CDIP in November 2012 that the WIPO secretariat would examine the feasibility for WIPO to engage in new activities that could assist member states to achieve their development goals.

The six different activities are projects aimed at enhancing WIPO’s contribution to the promotion of access to knowledge, bridging the digital divide and using IP to leverage ICT for growth and development. The activities range from technical assistance to capacity building, awareness-raising activities and internal organisational and management activities. The activities take into account Recommendations 19, 24 and 27 of the WIPO Development Agenda.

The objective of the International Conference the for Least-Developed Countries (LDCs) on copyright and the management of public sector information is to raise general awareness on how and why copyright is an important element in the shaping of policies on public sector information. According to the WIPO secretariat, the international conference would benefit developing, least-developed, and developed countries.

During the plenary session, the delegations of Brazil, Indonesia and Uganda explicitly supported the proposal. Some delegations, including Japan, Georgia, Uganda and Malta for the European Union, asked for extra clarification. The delegation of the United States had to wait for further instructions from Washington. The proposal was eventually approved during the plenary session on the last day of the meeting.

 

Image Credits: WIPO