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WIPO and IASP Hold Joint Seminar for Science Parks and Business Incubators

Geneva, July 2, 2004
Press Updates UPD/2004/228

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the International Association of Science Parks (IASP) held this week a three-day training program on intellectual property (IP) for managers and staff of science parks and business incubators, which are specifically designed to help firms in the early stages of business. Thirty-three participants from 14 countries attended the seminar and discussed ways in which science and technology parks and business incubators could better meet the intellectual property needs of their clients and tenants.

The seminar was organized in response to a strong demand for training on IP management from incubators and science parks. At the seminar, speakers provided an overview of the main IP rights (IPRs) and discussed issues relating to the importance of IP for R&D-based companies. The program included a day's training on licensing and technology transfer in order to provide participants with a better understanding of the role of IP in the licensing of technology and practical advice on conducting licensing negotiations. The last day included a practical session on how to use patent databases in order to obtain technical, legal and commercial information, which is of great value to companies and researchers.

Speaking to participants, Mrs. Rita Hayes, Deputy Director General of WIPO, stressed the importance of the partnership between WIPO and IASP in raising awareness of the importance of IP for the creation and management of new business in the new knowledge-driven business climate. Mr. Luis Sanz, Director General of IASP, highlighted the need for capacity-building within science parks and incubators on intellectual property, enabling businesses and R&D institutions to better exploit their innovative capacity.

"In today's knowledge economy, it is important for the management of science parks and incubators to have a good understanding of intellectual property in order to provide tenants with a solid front-line support to meet their most urgent business needs" stated Mr. Guriqbal Singh Jaiya, Director of the SMEs Division of WIPO. "Science parks are much more than real estate operations" Mr. Jaiya explained "they are increasingly key providers of business development services to their clients and tenants and IP is one of the most crucial areas in which technology-based businesses and R&D institutions will need professional support."

Science parks are organizations managed by specialized professionals, whose main aim is to increase the wealth of its community by promoting the culture of innovation and the competitiveness of its associated businesses and knowledge-based institutions. To meet these goals, a science park stimulates and manages the flow of knowledge and technology amongst universities, R&D institutions, companies and markets; it facilitates the creation and growth of innovation-based companies through incubation and spin-off processes; and provides other value-added services together with high quality space and facilities. The main goal of a business incubator is to produce successful and financially viable businesses.

High-technology businesses located in science parks and incubators are often established with a view to commercializing innovative technologies or delivering innovative services. Such businesses often rely on the research results developed within universities and or research centers. The intellectual property system is a key tool to encourage the transfer of technology from universities and research institutions to the private sector for commercialization purposes.

During the seminar, WIPO and IASP stated their commitment to continue organizing activities targeted to managers and staff of science parks and incubators in order to enhance their ability to provide IP support to their tenants by organizing events at the international and regional levels.

For more information and material on IP for SMEs, visit the web site of the SMEs Division of WIPO at https://www.wipo.int/sme and subscribe to the free monthly e-newsletter of the SMEs Division or contact the Media Relations and Public Affairs Section at WIPO: Tel: +41 22 338 8161/338 9547; e-mail: mailto:publicinf@wipo.int.