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IP for SMEs – a Way Out in the Post-pandemic Era (VI)

July 14, 2022

On July 13, Ms. Wang Binying, Deputy Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), sent a congratulatory letter to the Innovation and Intellectual Property Protection Conference (IIPPC) of Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) held in Guangzhou. Ms. Liu Hua, Director of the WIPO Office in China, read the letter.

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(Photo: BFA)
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Wang Binying, WIPO Deputy Director General

Ms. Wang Binying pointed out that Intellectual Property (IP) is playing an ever increasing role in the post pandemic economic recovery and is regarded as essential in promoting future sustainable development. Against this backdrop, WIPO has laid out a new vision, which is innovation and creativity from anywhere is supported by IP for the good of everyone. To deliver this effectively, WIPO has initiated a number of programs. Firstly, WIPO is committed to provide its global IP registration services in a more time- and cost-effective manner through “WIPO IP Portal”, a one-stop online platform. Secondly, WIPO has been facilitating a series of Global Conversations on Frontier Technologies, bringing stakeholders across the world to address recent IP trends and shape the future of the global IP ecosystem. Thirdly, WIPO is interacting more extensively to often under-served groups–small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), women and youth. She said that WIPO’s new IP Diagnostics tool, launched last November, would allow small business owners to understand IP and harness their IP rights more effectively. WIPO also launched its first Global Awards Program last December, aiming to recognize the central role of innovative and creative activities by SMEs.

Ms. Wang said that China ranked the 12th in the 2021 WIPO Global Innovation Index (GII), still being the only middle-income economy breaking into the top 15; Chinese enterprises such as Alibaba, Tencent, Bryea and academic institutions had been actively engaging in the series of Global Conversations with great contributions; 6 of the 20 SMEs that have been nominated as finalists of the first WIPO Global Awards are from China; two Chinese digital designers have won the third place in the youth video competition to celebrate the World IP Day 2022. She is confident that China’s IP undertaking will embark on a new journey with the implementation of the 14th Five-Year Plan and the 2021-2035 Outline for IP Powerhouse Construction, as well as the entry into force of the Hague Agreement and the Marrakesh Treaty in China.

Ms. Wang noted that the Greater Bay Area is at the forefront of China’s economic reform and opening up. The Area ranks 2nd of the top science and technology clusters globally, and Guangdong takes the 1st position in China in terms of patent and trademark applications by origin via WIPO’s PCT and Madrid systems. Two successful homegrown IP utilization stories from Guangdong have been published on the WIPO website for global promotion, Guangzhou Ehang and Shenzhen Shokz. These achievements are also due to the Area’s modern ecosystem on IP creation and utilization, protection and management. Looking ahead, WIPO will continue its close cooperation with China at all levels and will continue to encourage the extensive and effective use of WIPO Global IP Services in China, particularly in the Greater Bay Area.

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(Photo: WIPO)

Mr. Ignacio de Castro, Director of IP Disputes and External Relations Division, WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center, delivered a keynote speech at the Session of Green Development and IP Regional Innovation in Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, introducing WIPO mediation, arbitration and expert determination procedures and WIPO Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) practices in China.

The Innovation and Intellectual Property Protection Conference (IIPPC) of Boao Forum for Asia (BFA)

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(Photo: BFA)

Themed Global System Building for Technological Innovation and Intellectual Property, the IIPPC of BFA included a plenary and three sessions. The Boao Forum for Asia Innovation Report 2021 was published at the Conference. Mr. Ho Hau Wah, Vice Chairman of the 13th Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), attended the Conference. Mr. Li Baodong, BFA Secretary General, Mr. Tian Lipu, Chairman of the China Intellectual Property Society, Mr. Zhang Zhicheng, Director General of IP Protection Department, China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA), Mr. Gong Jianwen, Second-level Inspector of Department of Science and Technology of Guangdong Province, Mr. Leong Vai Tac, Executive President of the International Science, Technology and Innovation Forum (ISTIF) of BFA, Mr. Song Yonghua, Principal of the University of Macau, and Mr. Liu Chuntian, Dean of Faculty of IP, Renmin University of China, attended and addressed the Conference.