The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), through its Singapore Office (WSO), has been spearheading a regional initiative to promote the strategic use and leverage of IP data under the ASEAN IP Register across Southeast Asia. A series of workshops, which started in 2024 through mid-2025, brought together businesses, IP professionals, and government agencies to explore how IP data can be harnessed for strategic decision-making and innovation.
Advancing Data-driven IP Strategies and Innovation through Regional Capacity Building
Workshops were conducted in several ASEAN countries in 2024 and in 2025, each tailored to local contexts while maintaining a unified theme on “Gearing Towards a Data-Driven IP Strategy”.
1. Manila, Philippines (December 12, 2024 and June 9–13, 2025)
The first and final legs of the series were held in Manila, targeting both enablers and end users. In collaboration among and co-facilitated by WSO, the IP for Business Solutions Division (IPOBSD) and the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL), the workshops included interactive exercises where participants gained hands-on experience with the ASEAN IP Register. Participants also explored how IP data could be leveraged to make informed decisions on product development, market entry approaches, and branding strategies. The presence of industry leaders at the workshops added significant value, offering participants real-world perspectives on how data-driven IP strategies are being applied to open up markets, drive innovation and enhance competitiveness in the private sector. Both events marked a great success and received excellent feedback from participants.
2. Bangkok, Thailand (February 20–21, 2025)
In collaboration with Thailand’s Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) and the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), this dual-language workshop (English and Thai) focused on building local capacity. It featured live demonstrations and case studies on competitive IP analysis in the Food & Beverage industry with added local context from the UTCC facilitators. Through the new collaboration approach with the university in delivering the program, the workshop resulted in more impactful outcomes and a wider pool of active participants with enhanced knowledge in the local IP ecosystem.
3. Vientiane, Lao PDR (March 27, 2025)
In collaboration with the Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) under the Ministry of Industry and Commerce Lao PDR, the event was held in a hybrid online and in-person format. Building on positive feedback from the earlier workshops in Thailand, this workshop was also conducted in dual language, English and Laotian, as well as co-facilitated by DIP officials. The event emphasized how IP data can be used and leveraged to benchmark innovation and guide investment decisions. More than 60 participants from businesses, law firms, and public agencies gained benefits from direct engagement with workshop experts. Attendees received immediate responses to their queries -- ranging from IP registration procedures with DIP to broader data strategy insights provided by WIPO.
4. Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam (May 26, 2025)
Held in a hybrid format, the Brunei workshop stood out for its dynamic and practical delivery approach. Supported by the Brunei Intellectual Property Office (BruIPO) and co-facilitated by BruIPO officials and Ms. Li Chyi of YHP Law, the session combined technical training with strategic insight sharing. Participants not only received hands-on experience with the ASEAN IP Register platform but also engaged in a powerful exercise to map their respective existing intangible assets and intellectual property within their own business models. Through interactive presentations, the workshop underscored how leveraging IP data can drive smarter business decisions and align enterprise strategies with Brunei’s broader national development goals. The workshop brought about immediate positive impact and requests were made from Universities to have similar workshops carried out for their students.
5. Key takeaways
Across all sessions, the workshops emphasized and delivered:
- Hands-on training with the ASEAN IP Register platform.
- IP data insights for identifying market trends, innovation hotspots, and competitive landscapes.
- Strategic applications of IP data for portfolio management, R&D planning, and brand positioning.
In the process, the workshops have provided valuable exposure to participants on the ASEAN IP Register where the database contains a vast amount of valuable ASEAN IP data which can enhance their ability to make informed, data-backed decisions and strategies.
6. What’s next?
With plans for an upcoming session in Singapore and proposed webinars for Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam, WIPO’s initiatives on data strategy continue to build up momentum. Potential and existing users of the ASEAN IP Register can also look forward to new and more advanced features to be progressively added to the IP Register which can further enhance their IP data search and optimize their IP strategy for business startup and growth. As such, these workshops have not only raised awareness concerning the ASEAN IP Register but have also equipped ASEAN stakeholders with the tools and strategies to thrive in a data-driven innovation economy.
If you would like to understand more about the ASEAN IP Register and how it can be used and leveraged for your businesses, please contact us.