The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is often asked for advice by its member states on how a country should organize and administer its intellectual property (IP) system, as well as for good practices on models of governance and administration. However, there is no reference material currently available that could offer governmental policymakers in WIPO member states guidance on alternative governance approaches and ways to organize the administration of their IP system.
Against this background, WIPO assigned the study on “Models of IP Governance and Administration” to the Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research (ISI). The objective of the study is to provide WIPO member states with information and an evidence base on different forms of IP governance and administration against which they could adjust or revise their own approaches. The study also identifies emerging trends in view of the increasing importance of IP policy and administration as a tool for governments to advance broader policy objectives relating to innovation, creativity and economic development.
We initiated this study with the original goal of identifying specific models of IP governance and administration which government policymakers could draw from in considering adjustments to their current approach. What emerged are not specific models in themselves, as the exact configuration is very dependent on the legal framework, the policy priorities and the organization of government institutions and practices in each country.
However, the study documents and analyzes prevailing approaches, trends and emerging directions which can assist government policymakers in making decisions on their system of IP governance and administration. These conclusions are drawn from initial research undertaken by Fraunhofer ISI as well as from the observations of 12 heads of IP offices who offered their views during individual interviews. We are grateful for their time and for the insights they brought to the study.
We hope that this study will equip policymakers with valuable insights to support well-informed decisions in designing IP governance and administration frameworks, thereby unleashing the full potential of the intellectual property system for the benefit of society.
Marco Alemán
WIPO Assistant Director General