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WIPO Standing Commitee on Information Technologies(SCIT) Reviews Status of Automation Projects

Geneva, July 24, 2000
Press Updates UPD/2000/105

WIPONET, a state of the art project that capitalizes on digital technology to provide Internet connectivity to the world's intellectual property offices, moved into a critical phase this month following entry into contract negotiations by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) with one of five short-listed bidders. The successful company will be responsible for the technical implementation of WIPONET.

The Standing Committee on Information Technologies (SCIT) met from July 10 to 14, 2000 to consider a range of questions relating to major automation projects at WIPO. In addition to the WIPONET project, these included an initiative to automate the operations of the Patent Cooperation Treaty (IMPACT), the creation of Intellectual Property Digital Libraries (IPDLs) and the Administration Integrated Management System (AIMS). These initiatives will ensure that all members of the intellectual property community and the general public enjoy easier access to intellectual property information. Delegates from 66 WIPO member states, six intergovernmental and seven non-governmental organizations and one other country, participated in the SCIT meeting.

WIPOnet

Once completed, WIPONET will create a global information network infrastructure linking the operations of the world's intellectual property offices. This will promote international cooperation by providing easy access to low cost communications. Over the next three and a half years WIPO will provide Internet connectivity to intellectual property offices in 65 member states that do not currently enjoy access to the Internet, including a free-of-charge allocation of 360 hours of dial-up access per year. These include many developing and least developed countries. In addition to this, all intellectual property offices, including an estimated 164 that already have Internet connectivity, will benefit from a range of central services including e-mail, web-hosting, discussion groups on intellectual property-related topics, virus scanning and user administration.

The SCIT reviewed progress in implementing the WIPONET to date, and endorsed WIPO's strategy for the future deployment of the project.

IMPACT (Information Management for the PAtent Cooperation Treaty) Project

The SCIT also took note of progress in implementing the IMPACT project which has gained significant momentum since a consortium of leading companies was identified to deploy the project under the supervision of WIPO earlier this year. IMPACT will lead to the full automation of PCT operations. The PCT is a unique system that allows inventors to seek patent protection in up to 108 states that are bound by the Treaty. The PCT has witnessed steady growth in recent years. In the first six months of this year, an average of 361 international applications a day were received by the PCT Secretariat. Electronic filing of international patent applications under the PCT is a central component of this project.

SCIT and the PCT Assembly are working closely together on the development of technical and legal standards for electronic filing of patent applications. As these are inter-linked, delegates of the SCIT meeting attended parallel consultations of the PCT Assembly on electronic filing. This was the first time that legal and technical experts combined their expertise in joint consultations on these important questions.

The informal consultations took place from July 11 to 14 and resulted in significant progress in establishing a legal framework and technical standards for electronic filing of PCT applications. Agreement was reached on the types of security safeguards to be used, (e.g. public key infrastructure (PKI) and digital certificates) in order to verify the identity of PCT users as well as on many procedural and technical matters. Once the PCT Assembly has finalized its provisions on electronic filing, the SCIT will be requested to further develop generally applicable standards for electronic filing of patent applications. It is anticipated that PCT electronic filing will be operational by the end of the first quarter 2001.

WIPO Intellectual Property Digital Library (IPDL) Project

The SCIT also reviewed progress in implementing the WIPO IPDL Project which is designed to promote electronic dissemination of intellectual property (IP) information to the public and to co-operate with intellectual property offices in the development and exchange of IP information. In its first phase, the project will provide basic, WIPO-maintained intellectual property information within a professionally designed, highly standardized environment. Later phases will add new features, access mechanisms and services to the system and will expand the amount of electronic data available.

The IPDL project was commissioned by WIPO member states in July 1997. A prototype WIPO IPDL became operational in April 1998 and currently provides access to a range of database collections, including data relating to international applications filed under the PCT, the Madrid System for the Registration of Marks, and the Hague System for the Registration of Industrial Designs. Access to the database collections of the Madrid System and PCT is available to the general public free-of-charge. Collections are updated on a daily and weekly basis respectively.

The SCIT endorsed the need to develop common technical standards which it noted were central to the success of the project and important in facilitating the integration of existing data collections of WIPO member states in a cost-effective way.

AIMS (Administration Integrated Management System) Project

The SCIT also approved in principle the scope of a project designed to upgrade the way that WIPO manages and presents its financial and management data. The AIMS project reflects the Organization's commitment to transparency and accountability through the modernization and reform of its financial and administrative operations.

The project is designed to rationalize working practices to avoid unnecessary duplication of tasks, and to ensure that all the activities of the Organization are fully co-ordinated within a comprehensive, integrated and automated management system. Following endorsement by the SCIT, the WIPO Secretariat will develop a detailed project plan to be presented to member states in time for discussions on the Program and Budget for the 2002-2003 biennium.

The next meeting of the SCIT Plenary will be from January 22 to 26, 2001.

For further information, please contact the Media Relations and Public Affairs Section at WIPO:

  • Tel: (+41 22) - 338 81 61 or 338 95 47
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  • Email: publicinf@wipo.int.
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