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WIPO China: ADG Marco Aleman at 2024 ZGC Forum Series Report (II)

April 29, 2024

Beijing, April 25 - During the 2024 ZGC Forum, Mr. Marco Aleman, Assistant Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) shared insights on intellectual property (IP) and innovation promoting the sustainable development in a group media interview with leading Chinese media outlets including People's Daily, China Daily, Beijing Daily, Beijing Youth Daily, Beijing Business Daily, and Beijing Radio and Television Station.

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(Image: ZGC Forum)

Question 1: How is intellectual property right protection for the new technologies and applications of innovative SMEs? What are the weak points? How can we help?

When asked about intellectual property right protection for new technologies and applications of innovative SMEs, Aleman emphasized the critical role of IP rights in safeguarding the innovations developed by SMEs. He highlighted that SMEs are fundamental drivers of the global economy, which represent 90% of all companies worldwide, employ 70% of the labor force, and contribute up to half of the global GDP.

However, many SMEs face challenges in leveraging IP effectively due to a lack of knowledge about its strategic value. Aleman underscored WIPO's commitment to supporting SMEs through various platforms and tools offering free or low-cost access to advanced IP services. In 2022, WIPO also introduced Global Awards to recognize and promote the use of IP by SMEs for growth and development. Chinese SMEs like Shanghai Shylon, Suzhou Raycan, Shanghai Westwell, and Xi’an KissFuture have showcased notable successes with the Global Awards, demonstrating the dynamic of Chinese SMEs.

Question 2: What opportunities and challenges have AI development brought to intellectual property?

Regarding the opportunities and challenges brought by artificial intelligence (AI) development to intellectual property, Aleman discussed significant advancements in frontier technologies such as AI, blockchain, cloud computing, and big data, which have catalyzed a new scientific and technological revolution. He emphasized the importance of IP in these advancements and highlighted WIPO's proactive approach in addressing challenges through WIPO Conversation on IP and Frontier Technologies series.

Over the past five years, nearly 9,000 delegates from 172 countries have participated in these Conversations. These discussions have spurred numerous initiatives, including a Guide on Generative AI for enterprises and entrepreneurs to help assess and mitigate IP risks associated with AI tools, an IP Policy Toolkit designed to aid regulators and IP offices in addressing IP and AI issues in a structured manner, and a series of cross-regional IP management clinics for AI-driven SMEs.

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(Image: ZGC Forum)

Question 3: How do you understand the 2024 ZGC Forum’s theme: Innovating for a Better World？

Aleman shared his insights on the theme of the 2024 ZGC Forum, "Innovating for a Better World," aligning it with this year's World IP Day theme, "IP and the SDGs: Building Our Common Future with Innovation and Creativity." He emphasized the role of innovation in advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and highlighted WIPO's forthcoming study on the status of technology development across the SDGs.

According to the study, 13 out of the 17 SDGs are represented by patents. SDG-related patenting is growing, and at increasing speed. Almost 1 in 3 inventions are related to the SDGs. There are over 15.2 million active patent families worldwide and over 4.7 million of these (31.4%) relate to the SDGs. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, leads in terms of the highest number of patents (2.9 million active patent families), with substantial growth over the past 20 years.

Aleman's interview provided valuable insights into the intersection of intellectual property, innovation, and sustainable development, highlighting WIPO's commitment to supporting SMEs and leveraging IP for sustainable development.

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