Cooperation with Countries in Transition

Any country in Europe and Asia that is not covered by WIPO's Program of Cooperation with Developing Countries may be a beneficiary of the above-mentioned program, if so requested.

The objectives of this program are to assist these countries in strengthening their intellectual property systems and to encourage the effective use of these systems.

In this respect WIPO assists in modernizing national policy and legal frameworks of intellectual property, taking into account relevant international standards and trends, including the TRIPS Agreement. The program is also focused on the modernization of industrial property and copyright administrations, and on the establishment or strengthening of societies for collective management of copyright and related rights, mainly through human resources development, introduction of modern management systems and streamlining of administrative procedures. Special efforts are being made to support national administrations in modernizing and expanding services to the public and in providing access to technological, legal and other relevant information. WIPO also assists the respective countries in enhancing appropriate systems for the enforcement of intellectual property rights.

Moreover, WIPO seeks to promote a better understanding of the various aspects of intellectual property to ensure that all those concerned are aware of the economic, cultural and social importance and value of intellectual property rights, and of the way these rights and the information available about them may be used most efficiently. The cooperation program intends to assist in increasing the general awareness that effective protection and proper use of intellectual property are essential for access to markets, fair trading, foreign investment, transfer of technology, creation and application of new technologies and creativity and innovation.