by Dr. Kamil Idris, Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization
Today, the international intellectual property system has evolved into a strategic policy instrument for stimulating economic growth, promoting social well-being and securing sustainable development. The IP system has a key role to play in wealth creation and improved social well-being in all countries. Increasingly, economic trends indicate that a nation`s ability to generate wealth and protect its cultural heritage depends on its adoption and use of the IP system. The World Intellectual Property Organization, one of the specialized agencies of the United Nations, is at the forefront of efforts to ensure that the rights of creators and owners of intellectual property rights are recognized, rewarded and protected worldwide and that such rights are used in support of economic and technological development. the benefits of the international intellectual property system are extended to all member states.
Supported by an effective intellectual property regime, knowledge and innovation are key drivers of national development and growth. The incentives built into the intellectual property system encourage inventors and artists to realize their talents and to push forward the frontiers of technology and creativity. The tools of the intellectual property system (e.g. patents, trademarks, industrial designs and copyright) allow them to transform the fruits of their intellectual endeavors into assets which, used strategically, can bring significant, economic, social and cultural benefits to themselves and their country.
The Republic of Korea has long recognized the importance of intellectual property. For many centuries it has encouraged artistry and innovation - from the first recorded national invention in 1442 to the inventions displayed at various events, including the Korean Patent Fair and the forthcoming Seoul International Invention Fair. The many national institutions set up under the Korean Intellectual Property Office - such as the Korean Invention Promotion Association, the National Invention Hall of Fame, the Invention Museum - bear witness to the country`s realization that a dynamic intellectual property system and culture are essential to ensuring competitiveness and attracting investment in our increasingly knowledge-based economies. This drive to capture the value of the works of the mind has made the Republic of Korea an example for other developing countries, in seeking the benefits available under the WIPO Patent Cooperation Treaty, to protect inventions throughout the world. The Republic of Korea featured among the top 10 users of the treaty in 2003. The number of foreign inventors using this international treaty to help protect their own inventions in the Republic of Korea is also rapidly growing - an illustration of the market dynamism in the country.
WIPO has been actively engaged with the Republic of Korea, through KIPO, KIPA and the International Intellectual Property Training Institute, in organizing many activities aimed at creating widespread awareness of the intellectual property system both in the Republic of Korea and in the region. Last year the Republic of Korea joined more WIPO treaties, namely the protocol relating to the Madrid Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Marks and the Trademark Law Treaty, a step which will offer additional benefits to Korean and foreign owners of trademarks. Furthermore KIPO contributes substantively to WIPO cooperation for development program in respect of patent information, office automation, examination of patent applications, etc.
WIPO has also been supporting efforts in Korea to encourage innovation in the country, through its award scheme. Since 1983, 28 Korean inventors and companies have won WIPO awards for inventors offered in the framework of the annual Korea Patent Technology Exhibition or international exhibitions of inventions. One Korean company has been awarded to WIPO Trophy for Innovative Enterprises.
The vision guiding WIPO`s mission, in line with its mandate to foster creativity and promote intellectual property internationally, is to ensure that all countries are able to capitalize on the opportunities presented by the knowledge economy and to tap into the limitless creative resources of their people to generate sustainable social and economic development.
An effective intellectual property system embedded within a national strategy which anchors intellectual property considerations firmly within the national policy-making process will help a nation promote and protect its intellectual assets, and drive economic growth and wealth creation. WIPO`s response to the challenges facing member states is to concentrate on yielding specific, tailored outcomes and tangible deliverables which play a direct role in the strategic use of the intellectual property system for economic growth and social benefit. This approach supports national efforts to establish policies and mechanisms for more effective use of the intellectual property system.
The degree to which inventors and creators can harvest the value of their intellectual property, depends largely on the existence of a nurturing policy environment to help both actual and potential owners of intellectual property rights develop, protect, use and manage it as an economic asset. The most fundamental element of such an intellectual property infrastructure is a strong national legislation providing sturdy protection for intellectual property along with an efficient and reliable intellectual property rights enforcement system. Without these basic laws giving individuals the right to own intellectual property and protect it from infringement and misuse, the development of intellectual property assets would be impossible. The impressive growth in applications for and registration of intellectual property rights in the Republic of Korea is a clear sign of the important role that the intellectual property system plays in the business activities of the country.
The rise of the knowledge economy has put a premium on information and knowledge of all types and has prompted the organization and its member states to study, review and initiate activities in new and emerging global intellectual property issues. Traditional knowledge has long been an area where communities, groups and countries have requested assistance. WIPO is now actively involved in the search for solutions WIPO is working to foster better understanding of the approaches available for legal protection of traditional knowledge, cultural expressions and intellectual property aspects of genetic resources.
Today, a country`s potential well-being is measured in part by its capacity to create, introduce, manage and exploit intellectual assets. A well functioning intellectual property system is a powerful tool for policy-makers engaged in fostering future economic, social and cultural development and prosperity. WIPO`s approach is based on growing recognition that nations and enterprises can develop and promote use of intellectual property as an economic asset and develop intellectual property assets by using proactive policies beyond the creation of legal and administrative infrastructure for property protection.
In ensuring the healthy and well-balanced development of the intellectual property system, we are pioneers, setting a course towards prosperity and security for current and future generations. Only with determination and a sense of unity and common purpose can we address the challenges currently facing us.
WIPO`s current and future activities are underpinned by a deep-rooted belief in the relevance of intellectual property to development. The correlation between the progress of the human race and its ability to invent, innovate and imagine a better work is indisputable. Intellectual property is at the heart of the endeavor.
Source: The Korea Herald
Leave a comment