IP Education Skill-Swap Project Assisting Asia-Pacific Businesses to Benefit from Innovation
Exporters to Indonesia, the Philippines and Viet Nam, as well as innovators in these economies can now feel more confident that their valuable intellectual property (IP) assets will be properly protected as a result of an IP Education Skill-Swap Project co-funded by APEC and IP Australia. IP is often the most valuable asset of businesses trading within the Asia-Pacific region. Recognizing the importance of a robust IP system to stimulating regional innovation, trade and job creation, APEC economies are actively cooperating to promote effective IP legislation and enforcement, backed up by public education and awareness.
A range of targeted publications, interactive workshops and a new website are some of the outcomes of the IP Education Skill-Swap Project, which is intended to increase understanding and use of intellectual property (IP) in South East Asia. In addition to the development of resources, practical skills are being shared by IP Australia, the Australian government agency responsible for patents, trade marks and designs, with IP offices in Indonesia, the Philippines and Viet Nam. This exchange of ideas between APEC economies will guarantee that skills can be developed in each economy to continue to promote the effective use of the IP system to local and international businesses.
The Chief of the International Cooperation Section of the Indonesian Intellectual Property Office, Mr Yasmon recognises that the project has opened new doors for business people in Indonesia, "The IP Education Skill-Swap Project has been useful in efforts to raise awareness and understanding of the importance of the IP system in Indonesia."
For Indonesia there are four key elements:
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Production of a guide to IP for innovators (entitled Buku Panduan)
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Production of a guide to IP for Indonesian SMEs (entitled Membangun Usaha Kecil-Menengah)
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Translation of parts of the Indonesian website into English
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Production of a publication featuring Indonesian IP case studies
In addition, the project has also strengthened ties within the APEC region. According to Yasmon, "The IP Education Skill-Swap Project has also reinforced the excellent working relationship our office has with APEC and IP Australia."
Carmen Peralta, Director of Documentation Information and Technology Bureau, at the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines described the IP Education Skill-Swap Project as having the potential to provide great benefit to the Filipino economy. "The workshop facilitated by IP Australia enabled us to promote the importance of IP education locally in the Philippines. It provided us with the tools to improve our own awareness and promotional programs," Peralta noted.
For The Philippines there are six items being delivered as part of the project:
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Provision of a strategy document to deliver tailored programs for SMEs, inventors, R&D institutes and the tertiary sector in a manner that assists the IP office to make the most of scarce marketing resources
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Development of a structure document for IP seminars for SMEs;
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Creation of a document to assist the development of a market research program for SMEs to help identify needs, motivators and best communication channels
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Assistance with the creation of additional internet pages covering IP strategies in a business context
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Production of a guide to IP for Filipino SMEs
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Production of a newsletter template that will enable the IP office to communicate with different target markets on a regular basis
Mai Van Son from the National Office of Industrial Property of Viet Nam noted that tangible outcomes such as a website and an SME brochure will help Vietnamese innovators profit from their ideas and innovations, which will lead to economic improvements for the whole economy. "Online resources and printed materials for SMEs will play an important part in our strategy to increase the level of awareness and understanding of IP within Viet Nam," Van Son said.
For Viet Nam the key tasks are:
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Creation of a website for the IP office that will provide IP information as well as provide access to Vietnamese IP databases of registered rights - completed;
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Production of a guide to IP for SMEs - completed; and
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Production of a publication designed to promote the importance of IP to government officials and departments - due for completion shortly.
Mai Van Son sees great potential in this APEC project and recognises that the skills shared are a valuable resource for the future. "We look forward to building upon the skills we have developed through our inIssue vement in this project."
For IP Australia, there have been considerable benefits from their inIssue vement. Gary Kichenside, Director of International Cooperation, IP Australia, explains "This project has enabled us to develop strong relationships with the IP offices in each of the three participating economies. We hope these relationships will continue to grow to encourage the sharing of ideas, improving processes and increased skill sharing in the future."
Kichenside said IP Australia had invested considerable effort into developing its public education and awareness programs and was happy to share their skills and expertise with other APEC economies.
According to Julio Bravo, APEC Secretariat's Program Director for the APEC Intellectual Property Rights Experts' Group, the project as an "excellent example of different Member Economies working together to develop tangible outcomes. IP is an important element in most modern economies as it encourages innovation, the development of new industries and job creation. A strong IP system that is understood by business also facilitates more trade opportunities."
The IP Education Skill-Swap Project complements the APEC Committee on Trade and Investment's Action Agenda of working to support strong and effective intellectual property rights systems in the APEC region. APEC economies believe that an effective intellectual property rights system provides confidence to business that their rights will be respected. Ultimately this means that profits will be returned to IP rights holders when goods and services are traded in the region.
The Intellectual Property Education Project commenced late in 2002 and most deliverables are scheduled for completion before the end of June 2004. Queries on specific elements of the project should be directed to Julio Bravo at the APEC Secretariat or Peter Willimott at IP Australia.