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WIPO Outlines its Patent Agenda

Geneva, September 28, 2001
Press Releases PR/2001/290

Member states of the World Intellectual Property Organization, (WIPO) expressed support this week for new proposals presented by Dr. Kamil Idris, WIPO Director General, to launch worldwide consultations on the development of a strategic blueprint for the future evolution of the international patent system. Dr. Idris told delegates attending the annual meetings of WIPO's Assemblies (meeting in Geneva from September 24, 2001 to October 3, 2001), that to succeed this initiative required a demonstration of strong political commitment at the highest level.

The initiative, known as the "WIPO Patent Agenda", results from the Director General's vision that WIPO must continue to provide strong leadership in developing the patent system to facilitate the process of harnessing creative potential for economic benefit in all countries.

In presenting the WIPO Patent Agenda, Dr Idris stressed that "change in the wide sense will not be easy to achieve and will require the mobilization of political will at the highest governmental level and widest consultation among users of the system." He underlined the need for WIPO member states to focus both on meeting broader, long-term objectives and on finding solutions to more immediate problems, most notably the crisis facing a number of patent offices in managing excessive workloads.

Almost 120 years after the establishment of the Paris Convention - the cornerstone of the international patent system - and the critical importance of knowledge as a driving force for economic growth meant that the time was now ripe to discuss changes to the framework of the international patent system from the medium to long term perspective to make the patent system more relevant and useful to the well-being of all inhabitants of this world, Dr. Idris said. Broad-based consultation among governments and users of the system will be undertaken to identify the impact and opportunities of the new initiatives.

In order to identify and establish priorities, governments and users of the system will be invited to submit their comments by the end of January 2002. All comments received will be made available on the WIPO web site. A discussion paper will be prepared by WIPO on the basis of these comments and will be submitted for consideration to the WIPO Assemblies in 2002.

Member states underlined the advantages of a fully inclusive process of consultations involving all constituencies, particularly users of the international patent system, and the need to consider the interests of all countries, especially those in developing and least developed regions.

Dr Idris emphasized that the "WIPO Patent Agenda" would complement and strengthen on-going patent-related projects such as the reform of Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) (Update 134/2001) and the harmonization of substantive patent law (Update 132/2001).

With respect to on-going PCT reform talks, member states took note of the process launched one year ago which is examining ways to simplify and streamline PCT filing and processing procedures. They also approved a change to time limits in the Treaty giving applicants additional flexibility for using the PCT.

Member states took note of progress in the PCT automation project, known by the acronym IMPACT (Information Management for the PAtent Cooperation Treaty), and in the PCT electronic filing project. The success of both projects' is of the highest priority for the Organization. The rapid expansion of the PCT system - with a growth rate of at least 10% per year since 1991 and 23% last year - underlines the need to forge ahead with such projects. An electronic filing system and automation of the PCT processing procedures would mean lower costs for applicants who will also benefit from more efficient services. WIPO aims to complete the IMPACT project by December 2002 and the PCT electronic filing project by November 2003.

In addition, member states approved reductions in the filing fees for international patent applications under the PCT for the fifth consecutive year. As of January 1, 2002, an applicant seeking protection in more than five countries or regions will benefit from a fee reduction of more than 7%. Since 1998, PCT filing fees - for the most common filing strategy - have been reduced by 50%.

For further information, please see documents PCT/A/30/1, 2, 3, 4, 4 Add., 5, 6 and A/36/14 or contact the Media Relations and Public Affairs Section at WIPO:

  • Tel: (+41 22) 338 81 61 or (+41 22) 338 95 47;
  • Fax: (+41 22) 338 88 10;
  • E-mail: publicinf@wipo.int
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