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Web Site Taps Business Potential of IntellectualProperty

Geneva, September 20, 2001
Press Updates UPD/2001/142

With the launch of a web site dedicated to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is seeking to reach out to this dynamic commercial sector and to help businesses fully exploit their intellectual property resources through a more informed use of the intellectual property system. The web site seeks to demystify intellectual property (IP)for business managers by providing simple and concise answers to common intellectual property-related business questions. Using a virtual guide, the reader can easily follow links to learn how an SME can take full advantage of the IP system.

"SMEs are the driving force of most economies with a proven capacity to innovate and to generate new ideas and technologies. Intelllectual property and technological development are two faces of the same coin. Therefore, innovative and creative SMEs have a lot to gain from a good understanding of the IP system," said Dr. Kamil Idris, Director General of WIPO. "A wider and more effective use of the IP system by SMEs will enable innovative and creative companies not only to enhance their market position and improve their competitiveness but also to contribute to the economic growth of their respective countries as a whole," he added.

The aim of the web site is to support the activities of WIPO in encouraging more effective utilization of IP companies in this sector. The site seeks to reach out to the largest possible number of policy-makers, to SME support institutions, and to entrepreneurs with a clear and simple message about the value of the IP system to business.

SMEs represent approximately 90 percent of total enterprises worldwide and produce some four-fifths of goods and services. The Internet provides a unique opportunity to bring the IP system closer to this highly significant business community as well as to establish a more direct dialogue with enterprises and small business associations.

Key objectives of the site are:

  • To provide an overview of the most important reasons why SMEs should consider IP issues when preparing their business strategies. Questions such as "How can IP enhance the market value of your SME?" or "Why is IP crucial for marketing the products and services of your SME?" are addressed, emphasizing the role of IP in enhancing the development of an SME.
  • To give practical information on how to protect, manage, license, and enforce a company's IP assets. A section on IP in E-commerce provides a useful overview of some of the IP issues SMEs should keep in mind when operating on the Internet. Explanations are short and simple, looking at the IP system from the perspectives of the entrepreneur.
  • To provide information on the activities of the WIPO SMEs Division in order to keep partners and any interested persons up to date on current as well as future services and activities.
  • To reach out as widely and effectively as possible to the business community worldwide by teaming up with local SME associations, IP offices, national ministries, international organizations, chambers of commerce, business incubators and other relevant institutions. Such partnerships are crucial in integrating IP services in programs aimed at promoting the development and competitiveness of SMEs.

The SME web site can be accessed at http://ww.wipo.int/sme. Paper copies of the information contained in the web pages are available on request addressed to the SMEs Division at WIPO, 34, Chemin des Colombettes, 1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland.

Press inquiries can be sent to publicinf@wipo.int or call +4122-3388161 ro +4122-3389547.

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