Tokyo High Level Forum Considers IP Policies for Economic Growth and Development
Geneva, January 30, 2006
Press Updates UPD/2006/265
A two-day High Level Forum on Intellectual Property Policy and Strategy organized by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in cooperation with the Japan Patent Office (JPO) in Tokyo, on January 26 and 27, 2006, held intensive discussions on IP policies and their role in promoting development. The Forum brought together some 130 senior intellectual property policy-makers from 37 countries from Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Arab region, and a number of industrialized countries as well as representatives from the private sector and academia. The meeting provided a useful opportunity to gain insights through shared experiences and views on ways to ensure that the formulation and implementation of IP policies resulted in a virtuous cycle of creation, commercial use, and protection of innovative goods and services.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Geoffrey Yu, WIPO Deputy Director General responsible for the Economic Development Sector, said that the circumstances of the present day global technological and economic environment meant that all countries faced the challenge of enhancing their competitiveness. Mr. Yu said "in a truly competitive economy, the IP system must be grounded in a clearly enunciated IP policy, with well defined goals." He added, "It is no longer sufficient to merely put in place certain IP laws, and have offices to administer these laws."
Recognizing that the specific elements of any appropriate IP policy and strategy would depend on the overall economic and developmental goals of a country, Mr. Yu, observed that "any comprehensive IP policy would need to address a wide range of issues." He pointed out that Japan's extensive experience in this area offered important lessons for other countries.
In addressing the Forum, the Commissioner of the Japan Patent Office, Mr. Makoto Nakajima said that sound IP policies were required to compete successfully in the global economy. He stressed the need for heightened regional and international cooperation to further promote the establishment of an intellectual property culture and stronger recognition of the role of intellectual property as a policy instrument for development. This, he said, was the key to encouraging innovation, to effective use of the IP system and to development.
In his keynote speech, Mr. Tamotsu Nomakuchi, President, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, outlined the various measures that were being taken by the Government of Japan, and the country's private sector to leverage intellectual property for enhanced economic productivity and competitiveness. He said that Japan's aim was to become a "nation built on intellectual property."
A number of issues were covered during the two days of discussion, including effective formulation of national IP strategies, efficient management of IP offices, the creation of productive links between research institutions and industry, economic and legal aspects of IP protection, promotion of interdisciplinary IP research and education, and the role of governments in facilitating the use of IP for economic growth.
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