Technical Assistance and Capacity Building in the Field of IP/SMEs by the Regional Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), WIPO: Assessing Needs, Meeting Expectations and Measuring Success
Kingston, JamaicaJun 4 - 6, 2012
Paul Regis
Head, Caribbean Unit, Regional Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean
About the Caribbean Unit
The Unit was established in June 2010 with the specific aim of focusing more on the special and different needs of Caribbean countries.
The unit is within the Regional Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean which is a Bureau in the Development Sector.
The Caribbean countries covered are the 14 CARICOM Member States (12 English speaking plus Haiti and Suriname).
IP Areas Covered
Industrial Property
Patents
Trademark
Industrial Designs
Geographical Indication
Traditional Knowledge & Cultural Expressions
Genetic Resources
• Assist in the facilitation of Copyright requests
• Industrial Property activities overlap with Copyright (e.g. IP and Sports Seminar, Jamaica 2011)
• Works in-house with other divisions with expertise in set areas
WIPO’s Strategic Goals I-VII
Goal III: Facilitating the Use of IP for Development
IV Critical Pillars from MTSP 2010-2015
National IP Strategies and Policies
Legislative and Regulatory Framework
Institutional and Technical Infrastructure
Human Resource Capacity Building
WIPO Framework of Cooperation/Assistance
Implementation Strategies(Country plans with coherent set of objectives)
Increased education and awareness of relevance and economic importance of various forms of IPIncreased capacity of IP Administration ManagementIncreased capacity to effectively manage IP and technology assets Enriched/formalized IP culture in area of patents, trademarks, industrial designs, GI’s and TK
Innovation as a policy conceptHarmonized and integrated regional IP SystemSustained capacity to effectively manage IP assets
Objectives
Overall objective is to empower developing countries and LDC’s to use IP for development and economic growth as well as optimize its potential as a major contributor to national development
Design, development and implementation of national IP strategies and policies consistent with national development goals;
Secure and balanced regulatory framework at national and regional level;
Responsive and sustainable institutional and technical infrastructure; and
Creating a critical mass of skilled human resources capable of effectively managing IP assets .
How does the Unit function?
Demand driven
Has a coordination role -Unit coordinates with other divisions if needed
Provides training, capacity building and outreach programs to Member States
What’s in it for Different Stakeholders?
Lawyers – more clients, PCT fees, Madrid litigation fees,
The Universities- partnerships in tech transfer, IP programs, capacity building in area of GIs and plant variety protection, facilitating public private partnerships
Research institutions– Enhanced R & D, innovation promotion
Entrepreneurs – facilitate trademark/patent access to foreign markets, enriched IP culture
Science and Technology Institutions- partnerships and assistance in setting up service oriented centers that provide access to the knowledge economy
Coffee and Cocoa Board & agricultural producers – branding/GI training programs
Copyright linked organizations- Coherence in collective management framework, capacity building
Government ministries- Integration of IP in policy considerations, policy coherence in national developments plans
Type of Assistance & Who can Benefit
Capacity Building• Participation in Regional/National Seminars (WIPO and Others)
• E.g. IP & Securitization, IP & Sports
WIPO Academy Training
International and Regional Consultants
Study Visits
Beneficiaries
Government Officials
Private Sector Organizations / Associations
National IP Strategies
Legislative Advise
• In-house commentary on legislation• Hire draftsperson to assist countries with drafting bills
Modernisation Activities
• Digitizing IP tools/systems
Assessment Missions
Challenges
*Obtaining the highest level of commitment from countries’ leadership and policy makers*
IP is cross-cutting issue which impacts on other policy considerations ( innovation promotion, public health, trade, food security, climate change, access to knowledge, market regulation)
How to best achieve coherence and positive complimentarity between IP Policy and policies related to above issues
Finding explicit recognition of contribution of IP to national development in national country development plans
Diversity of socio-economic situations among countries requires careful consideration (in particular in regulatory frameworks and institutional infrastructure)
Designing programs that suit the requirements of the diversity of stakeholders/target groups while accomodating the interdisciplinary nature of IP (law, public policy, economics, business and technology)
How to Access WIPO’s Technical Assistance
A. Countries can submit written requests (1-2 months in advance)
B. WIPO Develops Country Plan through a Strategic Alignment Process:
Assess Needs
o In absence of a National IP Strategy, examines country’s National Development Plans, Sector Plans (ICT, Export Strategy, Agricultural Strategy etc.)
o Identifies IP plans and proposes activities in line with country’s needs & linked to WIPO’s Development Agenda.
Meet Expectations
WIPO proposes a Round-Table Discussion
on G.I via consultation with
Country based on stakeholder’s needs
Round-Table Discussion organized,
Industry stakeholders invited
& trained in GI and Collective Marks
- Consultant hired to assist country
In developing relevant legislation
- Collective mark created for
Cocoa growers to brand their products
For local consumption & the export market
Country X sought to develop a Geographical Indication
(G.I)
in their agricultural sector and a collective mark
for their cocoa growers
_________
Measuring Success of the Technical Assistance [Monitoring and Evaluation]
Caribbean Unit has defined Indicators but process of more SMART indicators are being developed
Follow-up review of the country’s Strategy and needs in IP
Direct change: legislative, courses & degrees on IP, number of courses accessed by citizens, National IP Strategies & Policies
Current Projects(Example of some of plans)
Major Projects:
RPA (Regional Patent Administration)TK projectIP securitization
Seminars:IP and Sport Seminar (held in April 2011, Jamaica.)Basic Training needs and outreachIPAS Training for OfficesMOU UWI & UTT (University of Trinidad and Tobago)
Thank you!
… Questions?