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Technical Assistance

We offer technical assistance development support both to governments and users of the intellectual property (IP) system. All of our activities in this area are needs-driven and tailor-made. They are financed using both our regular budget, as well as funds-in-trust contributions.

We coordinate and plan our technical assistance to governments and users of the IP system (including universities and SMEs) through our focal points across the Organization.

The project-based methodology for implementation of the WIPO Development Agenda provides an opportunity for member states to pilot ideas and initiatives that can help countries respond to COVID-19 and build back better.

(Image: Getty Images/Antiv3D)

Technical assistance for governments

WIPO technical assistance for member states covers the full spectrum of IP rights: patents, trademarks, industrial designs, geographical indications and copyright. Our activities are divided into three main areas:

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National IP strategies

We help countries design, develop and implement national IP and innovation strategies, aligned with their development strategies.

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Policy and legislative advice

We provide tailored advice to individual member states who request our assistance in developing their national IP legislative and policy frameworks.

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IP office business solutions

We provide business solutions for IP offices from all regions to enable them to participate effectively in the global IP system.

Projects

The projects highlighted below represent a small selection of our work. For a more comprehensive list, consult our page dedicated to Development Agenda projects.

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IP training institutions

Under this project, the WIPO Academy provides assistance to member states to establish IP training institutions. The aim is to enable member states to create their own self-sustaining IP training infrastructure.

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Leveraging the public domain

Working in harmony with existing TISC services, this project aims not only to identify inventions in the public domain, but also to support inventors, researchers and entrepreneurs in using information in the public domain to generate new research outputs and products.

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South-South cooperation

This project works on enabling the collection and exchange of valuable knowledge and experience on IP development among developing countries and LDCs.

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Tourism and development

This project highlights the links between tourism, IP and sustainable development. In particular it demonstrates how IP tools and strategies can support the promotion of sustainable tourism, as well as economic, social and cultural development.

Resources

South-South Cooperation Technical Assistance Database (SSTAD)

The Intellectual Property Technical Assistance database (IP-TAD) contains information on technical assistance activities undertaken by WIPO.

South-South Cooperation Roster of Consultants (SSROC)

The Roster of Consultants (ROC) database contains professional information on consultants engaged by WIPO to undertake specific IP-related technical assistance activities.

Development studies

We work on a wide range of studies investigating how IP interacts with economic development. These studies narrow the knowledge gap decision-makers face when adopting IP policies to support development objectives.

Technical assistance for users of IP

From support with patent applications to help with obtaining collective marks, individual users of the IP system can also benefit from WIPO technical assistance. Below are three related programs we run:

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Technology and innovation support

Innovators in developing countries often lack the resources or support network they need to use IP. Technology and Innovation Support Centers (TISCs) help remedy this by providing access to locally based, high quality technology information and related services.

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Assistance to inventors

Legal support and advice is sometimes out of reach for developing country inventors. The Inventor Assistance Program (IAP) matches resource-limited inventors/small businesses with patent attorneys. The attorneys provide pro bono legal assistance with patent protection.

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Patent drafting

We provide assistance to users of IP to draft and file patent applications, which requires practical, legal and technical skills.

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Universities and IP

Universities and public research institutions (PRIs) are the factories of the knowledge economy. We offer support with creating IP policies for PRIs, including a database of policies, and provide information and advice on knowledge transfer.

Projects

The projects highlighted below represent a small selection of our work. For a more comprehensive list, consult our page dedicated to Development Agenda projects.

IP and branding

This project supported local businesses in developing countries and LDCs by helping businesses better use IP in product branding. The project benefitted communities producing traditional products in Panama (Café de Palmira, Piña de la Chorrera and Gunas Molas), Thailand (Bang Chao Cha's wicker ware, Mae Chaem's colorful textiles and Lampoon's brocade silk) and Uganda (cotton, sesame and vanilla).

collective marks
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IP and local products

Using a collective mark enables producers in rural areas to add value to their local products by working together.

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Women in Innovation and Entrepreneurship

By providing better support programs, access to mentorships, and networking opportunities, the project assisted and supported women to gain more awareness, knowledge, and experience of the IP system.

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IP and Mobile Apps

Mobile applications have become an indispensable part of daily life in the digital world. This project seeks to improve the understanding of the potential of IP for income generation in mobile applications and to empower mobile application developers with tools for using IP in their work.

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IP for Creative Industries

The IP for Creative Industries for Developing Countries project brings together creative businesses from Chile, Indonesia, UAE and Uruguay, in order to generate collaborations and mutual learning opportunities, and to keep up with the latest developments in the digital landscape of the global creative market.

IP and tourism

Intellectual property can help promote national cultural and economic activities and enhance the competitiveness of the tourism industry.

Boosting tourism development

A report published jointly by WIPO and the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) shows how the IP system creates a favorable ecosystem for innovation, entrepreneurship and investment in the sector.

Download report

IP and gastronomic tourism

The project on IP and gastronomic tourism aims to promote the use of intellectual property in culinary traditions (food and beverages) for application in the tourism sector.