In April 2009, WIPO was mandated by its member states to carry out a pilot project to establish Technology and Innovation Support Centers (TISCs) within the framework of its Development Agenda.

In particular, the project aims to address Recommendation 8 of the Development Agenda, which calls on WIPO to “[facilitate] the national offices of developing countries, especially LDCs, as well as their regional and subregional intellectual property organizations to access specialized databases…”. The project approved by the member states comprises two core clusters of activities, namely access to specialized databases and capacity building.

Since January 2014, the project has been fully mainstreamed within the regular activities of WIPO and forms part of the program on Services for Access to Information and Knowledge.

TISC report

Technology and Innovation Support Centers (TISCs)

Enhancing innovation through knowledge and expertise

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Establishing a TISC

Institutions interested in hosting TISCs should contact their respective national or regional industrial property office. Possible TISC host institutions include:

  • National and Regional Patent Offices
  • Universities and Academic Institutions
  • Science and Research Centers
  • Local and Regional Technoparks
  • Chambers of Commerce
  • Other public institutions of similar type

Resources

  • TISCs: Implementation Guide PDF, TISCs - Implementation Guide
  • Road map for establishing a TISC PDF, Road map for establishing Technology and Innovation Support Centers
  • TISC flyer PDF, Flyer on Technology and Innovation Support Centers

WIPO support to TISCs

Within the context of a joint engagement with national and regional industrial property authorities, WIPO supports the effective operation of TISCs by:

  • Facilitating access to databases;
  • Training of trainers and local users (on-site and distance learning);
  • Providing information and training materials;
  • Supporting awareness-raising activities;
  • Disseminating best practices and experiences among TISCs.