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In the News

August 2008

Formulation and Implementation of IP Development Plans

Some 30 senior IP officials from 24 countries in Asia and the Pacific region participated in a capacity building workshop, held in Singapore from June 2 to 4, on the formulation and implementation of IP development plans. Jointly organized by WIPO and the Government of Singapore, the workshop discussed IP development plans from conception to implementation.

The aim of IP development plans is to address the specific IP needs of a country in the context of a time-bound, objective-oriented and result-based framework of technical assistance. When formulated in close consultations with national authorities and on the basis of a thorough assessment (audit) of IP needs and requirements, taking into account national IP policies and development objectives, IP development plans enable more targeted, systematic and effective technical assistance from WIPO. 

Such plans, which include concrete targets and deliverables as well as mechanisms for monitoring and evaluation, permit countries to better coordinate and assess progress in strengthening human, institutional and infrastructural capacities; ensure effective cohesion of assistance programs and optimal use of resources; and help develop partnerships and synergies by providing a common reference point for intensifying cooperation. WIPO aims to employ such plans increasingly in delivering legal and technical assistance to developing and least developed countries.

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Green Apple®?

Your iPod, iPhone and MacBook may soon run on solar re-powered batteries. The US Patent and Trademark Office has just published a patent application by Apple (US 20080094025) for a thin film of solar cells to be integrated into portable devices. The multiple cell solar film is designed to produce the desired voltage to run a handheld device even if a number of the cells are obstructed.

But where will they put it? The limited space on portable devices is the principal reason why none – so far – have been solar powered. Apple’s novel approach is to place the solar film, protected by shock absorbent materials, behind the LCD screen of the portable device.

Green Apple devices paired with the company’s innovative design may just provide the right boost for sales in a slowing global market.

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2008 IDEA Award

The results of the 2008 International Design Excellence Awards (IDEAs) are in and for the first time the jury has bestowed two Best in Show awards. One went to SizeChina, a design research project that assembled data from a representative cross-section of people from mainland China to create the first-ever digital database of Chinese head and face shapes and the other – no surprise here – to Apple’s iPhone.

The competition attracted 1,517 entries from 26 countries. Students were among 2008’s big winners, taking 33 of the 206 jury awards – 6 of the 35 gold prizes. 2008 also marked the inaugural year of IDEA/Brasil, organized by Objeto Brasil and endorsed by Industrial Design Society of America, to spur interest in design from Brazilian corporations as well as to heighten global awareness of Brazil’s rich design heritage.

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The WIPO Magazine is intended to help broaden public understanding of intellectual property and of WIPO’s work, and is not an official document of WIPO. The designations employed and the presentation of material throughout this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of WIPO concerning the legal status of any country, territory or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. This publication is not intended to reflect the views of the Member States or the WIPO Secretariat. The mention of specific companies or products of manufacturers does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by WIPO in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned.