WIPO SMEs Newsletter June 2014
By the SMEs Section of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
WIPO SMEs Newsletter is a monthly e-publication providing readers with useful intellectual property (IP) information contained in articles, case studies, forthcoming IP/SMEs relevant events, and published presentations featured on our web site. We hope you will find it useful and informative. We encourage you to share the newsletter or items of interest with friends and colleagues. If you have received this newsletter from someone and would like to subscribe yourself, then simply visit our website https://www.wipo.int/sme/en/. Also for past issues and information on the activities of the SMEs Section, please visit https://www.wipo.int/sme.
News
WIPO Launches Unique Image-Based Search for Trademarks, Other Brand Information
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has unveiled a one-of-a-kind image-search function for its Global Brand Database, adding a new feature that allows users to upload an image to search for visually similar trademark and other brand-information records from among the millions of images in the collection. The image-search functionality, which is the first such application among free, public intellectual property databases, was presented on Saturday, May 10, 2014 at the International Trademark Association (INTA) annual meeting in Hong Kong. It adds an important new search possibility for the Global Brand Databases users, who often wish to see if a logo, trademark or other similar image is separately registered for use.
Young SMEs, growth and job creation
New OECD work based on an innovative methodology using firm-level data demonstrates that, among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), young firms play a central role in creating jobs and enhancing growth and innovation. Public policies can help unleash the growth potential of young, innovative firms by enabling them to experiment with new business models and by fostering the reallocation of resources towards the most productive firms. Structural reforms to product, labor and capital markets as well as bankruptcy laws that do not overly penalize failure are essential in this regard.
Unitary patent: Protecting inventions in 25 countries
Witness history in the making: For several decades, the member states of the European Union (EU) have been negotiating the creation of a European patent with unitary effect ("unitary patent") and a unified European patent court. In 2012, representatives of the EU member states achieved a breakthrough agreement: The European unitary patent will soon guarantee supranational protection for inventions in 25 countries across Europe. Meanwhile, the agreement to install a European patent court is currently being ratified by EU member states.
IP Awareness Assessment
The IP Awareness Assessment, developed under the joint efforts of United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and National Institute of Standards and Technology/Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NIST/MEP), allows you to assess your intellectual property awareness. Following the completion of the assessment, you will receive a customized training material.
Resources on IP Asset Management IP PANORAMA Multimedia Toolkit
The IP PANORAMA multimedia toolkit is now available in English, French, Spanish, Russian, Arabic, Hungarian, Vietnamese and Thai versions on or through the pages at https://www.wipo.int/sme/en/multimedia/ and http://www.ippanorama.com/.
CD-ROMs of the English, French, Spanish, Russian and Arabic versions are also available on request. Anyone interested in receiving a free copy of the CD-ROM may email publications.mail@wipo.int providing the full postal address, including telephone number, and indicating the purpose for which the CD-ROM would be used. Please note that requests without complete postal address will not be processed.
LINKS
Country Study on Innovation, Intellectual Property and the Informal Economy: The Informal Metalworking Sector in Kenya
This case study prepared by Mr. Christopher Bull, Senior Research Engineer and Senior Lecturer, Brown University School of Engineering, United States of America, Mr. Steve Daniel, Makeshift Magazine, United States of America, Ms. Mary Njeri Kinyanjui, Faculty Member, University of Nairobi, Institute for Development Studies, Kenya, and Mr. Barrett Hazeltine, Faculty Member, Brown University School of Engineering, United States of America examines the attitudes about intellectual property of those engaged in and with the informal metalworking sector in Kenya. In addition, the study provides an overview of the sector, the national innovation system, the available appropriation mechanisms, and related policies and programs. Finally, the case study presents several scenarios that may enhance access to, and use of, appropriation mechanisms by those working in the informal sector.
Industry and Technology Policies in Korea
The Korean innovation system is in many ways highly developed and has helped to underpin Koreas rapid industrialization. However, long-standing policy emphases on manufacturing and large firms are today in question. Structural problems - such as the relatively weak innovation performance of SMEs, a lagging services sector and limited domestic job creation among the industrial conglomerates - have led to a shift in policy priorities. This shift is crystallized in the current governments Creative Economy Strategy, which entails a far-reaching set of measures aimed at fostering cutting-edge innovation and consolidating a knowledge-based economy increasingly driven by high-value services. This review addresses Koreas industry and technology policies and institutions, and provides policy recommendations.
The future of medicine
Instead of scalpels and chemotherapy, doctors are increasingly resorting to high-tech solutions in the fight against cancer: Nano-capsules and proton radiation are among the most promising new patented technologies benefitting patients worldwide. The roster of groundbreaking inventions also includes numerous finalists and winners of the European Inventor Award.
Intellectual Property Rights and Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises
The increasing advantage of intangible assets as a source of value creation has made intellectual property rights more attractive. Where Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises account for 95% of the business population and also where it plays a significant role in the economy by contributing to GDP by achieving sustainable national economic development, most governments have made an effort to establish the SMEs sector in their respective countries. In this paper, authors have made an effort to discuss the significance of the intellectual property for SMEs and the barriers to effective use of the IP system, which have an impact on the ability to exploit innovative capabilities. The authors also make many suggestions for encouraging more effective use and enforcement of IP by entrepreneurs, so that SMEs manage to incorporate IP within the broader business framework.
Knowledge-Capital Formation and Valorization of French SMEs
This paper focuses on French SMEs and studies their main characteristics regarding knowledge-capital formation and valorization. We put forward what we may call a French Paradox, expressed by a quite important effort in terms of R&D investments and poor results in terms of innovation as measured by traditional indicators (patents). How can we explain this paradox? To answer this question, we study their strategy of knowledge-capital building (through absorptive capacity and open innovation) and valorization (the way they transform their accumulated knowledge into innovations). We show that apart from the structural characteristics of SMEs (forms of innovation, use of IPRs, etc.), one important reason for weak performance in terms of innovation lies in their integration within innovation networks dominated by large companies. The valorization of SMEs knowledge capital (through patents and the diffusion of innovations) is thus not always achieved by the SMEs themselves but by larger companies, enriched by the specific knowledge of these SMEs.
Constraints, Determinants of SME Innovation, and the Role of Government Support
This paper provides an empirical analysis of potential constraints to SMEs upgrading their capability to innovate, and assesses the effectiveness of government support in overcoming these constraints. The justification for government support is that market failures can hinder SMEs access to information, finance, technology, and human resources. This paper focuses on the impact of the perceived effectiveness of government support through business development services in terms of providing: (i) training; (ii) counselling and advice; (iii) technology development and transfer; (iv) information; (v) business linkages; (vi) financing; and (vii) a conducive business environment. The effectiveness of this support is evaluated against the ability of SMEs to innovate.
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
Examination Matters 2014, July 2-3, 2014, Munich, Germany
With "Examination Matters" the European Patent Academy is organizing an in-house training seminar for Professional Representatives before the EPO. This year's edition of this interactive seminar is organized in close cooperation with the epi. First-hand experience on important aspects of your daily work will be exchanged by examiners and practitioners, which will give participants an insight into an EPO examiner's daily work and their way of thinking. The workshop-type character of most sessions will give the opportunity to discuss relevant aspects with the "other side" in detail and provide immediate feedback on your questions.
For more information, see http://www.epo.org/learning-events/events/conferences/examination-matters.htmlRaising Awareness of the European and International Patent System, July 8, 2014, Rome, Italy
The Seminar is organized by DGLC-UIBM, in collaboration with the European Patent Office (EPO), in the framework of the implementation of the bilateral cooperation plan UIBM-EPO (2013-2015). The event is free, and Italian/English interpreting will be available.
For more information, see http://www.uibm.gov.it/index.php/roma-avvio-del-semestre-di-presidenza-italiana-della-ue-seminario-dal-titolo-raising-awareness-on-the-european-and-international-patent-system
PAST EVENT
Seminars on the Madrid System for the International Registration of Marks, June 19-20, 2014, Geneva, Switzerland
The 50th session of the Seminar on the Madrid System was held from June 19 and 20, 2014, at WIPOs headquarters in Geneva. The Madrid Seminar offered a unique training platform where all aspects of the system are covered in-depth by experts from WIPO, officials from national or regional Offices and trademark practitioners.
The Seminar also offered an excellent opportunity for the participants to network and share their common interests and experiences.
For more information, see https://www.wipo.int/meetings/en/details.jsp?meeting_id=32823
NOTE:
The SMEs Section welcomes voluntary contributions of articles, case studies, news items, useful links and relevant information concerning forthcoming events of interest to entrepreneurs and SMEs for inclusion in future issues of this newsletter; contributions may be sent by email to sme@wipo.int.
If you have received this newsletter from someone and would like to subscribe yourself, then simply visit our website https://www.wipo.int/sme/en/.
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Past issues of this newsletter, since August 2001, may be accessed here.
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