World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO)
Updated October 2003
 

Guiding Principles/Objectives

Programmes

Among the key challenges facing WIPO and the intellectual property community in the 21st century are those presented by continuing advances in digital technologies, the boom in electronic information exchange, and the technology gap between developed and developing countries.

The Standing Committee on Information Technologies was established in 1998 to monitor and provide input to WIPO’s IT Program.

The possibilities now offered by technology in the field of communication, including the incorporation of new technological language (binary language-digital technology), prompt the need for a global legal framework that provides greater certainty, security and clarity in the functioning and management of the protection of intellectual property rights.

Many creations protected by copyright, which traditionally have been exchanged physically, will increasingly be delivered in digital form by means of global networks. The manner in which intellectual property rights are administered by the competent public and market sector entities will be re-engineered to profit maximally from the efficiency gains offered by information technology. 

Creating an environment in which technological innovation and artistic creativity can flourish encourages investment and facilitates technology transfer, while increasing the range and quality of products and services available.

WIPO's 2002-2003 strategy is to continue to establish an IT infrastructure and make active use of IT to maximise the benefits of the intellectual property system for Member States (including Least Developed Countries) and users. http://www.wipo.org/about-wipo/en/

Areas of Application:

n/a

Administration Integrated Management System (AIMS): a modern integrated financial accounting budgetary control system which will be able to support the way the Organisation manages and presents its financial information.

Classification Automated Information System (CLAIMS): supports the industrial property Offices of the Member States in the re-classification of their patent collections, and provides tools for sharing the results using a Master Classification Database.

Information Management for the Patent Co-operation Treaty (IMPACT): meets the business requirements of the Office of the Patent Co-operation Treaty (PCT) in the processing of PCT applications, whether in paper or electronic format.

PCT E-Filing (PCT-SAFE): a programme to develop standards for the electronic filing and processing of PCT applications and then to build a supporting IT system.

WIPONet is a global digital information network enabling the integration of Intellectual Property information resources, processes and systems of the intellectual property Offices of member States. 

Ongoing provision of automation assistance to developing countries, least developed countries and countries in transition to facilitate the generation, management, valuation and exploitation of intellectual property for their socio-economic benefits.

On-line domain name dispute resolution service: there is a growing recognition of the value of Internet domain names as a business asset. http://www.wipo.org/it/en/index.html

Intellectual property both affects and is affected by e-commerce in a multitude of ways. The WIPO Electronic Commerce and Intellectual Property web site provides information regarding WIPO's programmes and activities in this field. http://ecommerce.wipo.int/index.html

Participation in Multi-donor Programmes:

n/a

Mr. Inayet Syed, inayet.syed@wipo.int