A FEW WORDS ABOUT AN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY: WIPO EDITION

We're on a roll here – our Intellectual Property series continues…

Want to find out what is WIPO?

World Intellectual Property Organization is the global forum for intellectual property (IP) services, policy, information and cooperation. Iti s a self-funding agency of the United Nations, with 193 member states.

WIPO provides:

  • a policy forum to shape balanced international IP rules for a changing world
  • global services to protect IP across borders and to resolve disputes
  • technical infrastructure to connect IP systems and share knowledge
  • cooperation and capacity-building programs to enable all countries to use IP for economic, social and cultural development
  • a world reference source for IP information

WIPO offers a range of global services for protecting intellectual property (IP) across borders, and for resolving IP disputes outside the courts.

It provides you with a fast, efficient, and cost-effective route for protecting your inventions, trademarks or designs across borders:

  1. WIPO – PCT - the International Patent System
  2. WIPO – MADRID - the International Trademark System
  3. WIPO – HAGUE - the International Design System
  4. WIPO – LISBON - the International System of Geographical Indications
  5. WIPO – BUDAPEST - The International Microorganism Deposit System
  6. WIPO - Protecting state emblems (Article 6ter).

So, let’s say a few words about them.

WIPO – PCT - the International Patent System

The Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) assists applicants in seeking patent protection internationally for their inventions, helps patent offices with their patent granting decisions, and facilitates public access to a wealth of technical information relating to those inventions.

Its aim is to seek patent protection in multiple countries by filing one international application.

The PCT system:

  • postpones the major costs associated with international patent protection;
  • provides you with a strong basis for patenting decisions;
  • is used by the world’s major corporations, research institutions and universities.

WIPO – MADRID - the International Trademark System

The Madrid System is a convenient and cost-effective solution for registering and managing trademarks worldwide.

Its purpose is to:

  • file a single application and pay one set of fees to apply for protection in up to 128 countries
  • modify, renew or expand global trademark portfolio through one centralized system.

You can use the Madrid System if you have a personal or business connection to one of the Madrid System’s members. This means you must either: be domiciled, have an industrial or commercial establishment in, or be a citizen of one of the 128 countries.

The Madrid System:

  • saves you time and money;
  • includes members representing over 80% of world trade;
  • enables you to manage and renew your marks through one centralized system.

WIPO – HAGUE - the International Design System

The Hague System for the International Registration of Industrial Designs provides a practical business solution for registering up to 100 designs in 77 contracting parties covering 94 countries, through the filing of a single international application.

The Hague system:

  • replaces multiple registrations with just one;
  • lets you register up to 100 industrial designs with one form;
  • makes management of your registered designs easier — record changes or renewals through a single step.

WIPO – LISBON - the International System of Geographical Indications

The Lisbon System is a practical and cost-effective solution for the International Registration of Appellations of Origin (AOs) and Geographical Indications (GIs), offering protection in 38 Contracting Parties, covering up to 57 countries, through a single registration procedure and one set of fees.

Appellations of Origin (AOs) and Geographical Indications (GIs) are powerful branding tools to address the ever-growing market demand for traditional origin-based quality products. They help to distinguish goods with a specific geographical origin, which possess certain qualities and/or a reputation linked to that origin, from similar products on the market.

To qualify for international protection under the Lisbon System, AOs and GIs must be already protected as such in their Contracting Party of Origin, by means of either legislative or administrative provisions, judicial decisions or any form of registration

WIPO – BUDAPEST - The International Microorganism Deposit System

The Budapest System provides a practical business solution when pursuing patents involving biological material in some 80 countries through the recognition of one international recognized deposit with an international depositary authority (IDA).

Adopted in 1977, the Budapest Treaty concerns a specific topic in the international patent process: inventions involving microorganisms. All states party to the Treaty are obliged to recognize microorganisms deposited as a part of the patent disclosure procedure with an IDA, irrespective of where the depositary authority is located. In practice this means that the requirement to submit microorganisms to each and every national authority in which patent protection is sought no longer exists.

WIPO - Protecting state emblems (Article 6ter)

The purpose of Article 6ter is to prevent that the signs covered by that provision are registered or used as trademarks, or as elements of trademarks, without the authorization of the competent authority.

Signs to which Article 6ter applies:

  • State armorial bearings, flags and other State emblems
  • Official signs and hallmarks indicating control and warranty adopted by States
  • Armorial bearings, flags, emblems, names, and abbreviations of IGOs of which one or more States party to the Paris Convention are members.

Parties bound to apply Article 6ter are all States party to the Paris Convention, as well as the Members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) not party to that Convention.

Every good thing comes to an end – so with WIPO, our intellectual property series, are complete.

Your AP