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Asia
Introduction
The EPO's activities in Asia concentrate on data exchange and the harmonisation of patent examination standards and procedures, including the implementation of automation tools.
The development of regional IP structures (i.e. patent offices equipped to carry out international search and examination and specialised courts for IP cases) would substantially benefit the users of the patent system in both Asia and Europe. The EPO is therefore continuing to promote a regional approach in Asia.
The EPO seeks to be perceived in Asia as a benchmark authority for search and examination, and as a reliable partner for IP offices and other actors in the patent system, such as industry, the judiciary, universities and research institutions.
Geographical scope
The programme covers all ASEAN countries (with the exception of Burma), i.e. Brunei, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Laos, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, plus India.
Background
Asia is the world's most promising region, with emerging economies that have great potential for development. The region accounts for about a quarter of the EU's exports and is its third-largest regional trading partner. Asia also records a significant share of EU foreign investment, while some Asian countries are important investors in Europe.
Innovative activity is growing fast in Asia, where some companies are already world leaders in their technological field. In this context, sound and effective IP systems are needed to optimise the conditions for trade and technology exchange.
Objectives
- to facilitate the exchange of data between Asian IP offices and the EPO, with a view to enhancing the EPO's databases
- to promote the use of European and international patent systems, emphasising the potential economic benefits for Asian countries
- to support the harmonisation of search and examination standards and patent procedures
- to promote the creation of regional structures to deal with IP issues;
- to identify partners for joint initiatives with a view to preparing the way for the international patent system of the future
Tasks
- adapting the national legal frameworks to TRIPs and harmonising procedures
- enabling national offices to deliver quality IP rights in a speedy and cost-effective manner
- promoting awareness of the benefits of IP rights to society
- developing regional IPR structures and policies to ensure high-quality protection
Main activities
ASEANPAT
This project supports the electronic capture and publication of patent applications and granted patents in the ASEAN countries. A CD-ROM with bibliographic data is published regularly. The goal is to make all national application documents available on CD-ROM and via the Internet.
EAPIC
The Europe-Asia Patent Information Conference (EAPIC) brings together patent information users and commercial providers at an annual two-day meeting in Singapore. Presentations by the providers are supplemented by talks on the evaluation and exploitation of patent information.
Training
The EPO supports the efforts of Asian countries to build up their IP systems by organising training seminars for patent examiners and patent attorneys.
HIPOC
The Head of IP Offices Conference (HIPOC) is a forum hosted by the EPO in Asia that enables high-ranking representatives of the ASEAN IPOs to meet their counterparts from the EPO, SIPO, JPO, KIPO and USPTO and discuss matters of common interest regarding co-operation in the fields of IP, policy issues and plans for the future.
ECAP II
The EPO is implementing the European Union-funded "EC-ASEAN Intellectual Property Rights Co-operation Programme" (ECAP II). This programme has been running since 2000 and will come to an end at the end of December 2006. The programme focuses on four main aspects: (1) development of IP legislation compliant with European and international standards, (2) administration of IP rights, (3) enforcement of IP rights and, finally, (4) raising awareness of IP rights. More information can be found on the programme's website (www.ecap-project.org ).