Minutes - TRIPS Council - View details of the intervention/statement

H.E. Ambassador Xolelwa Mlumbi-Peter (South Africa)
Chinese Taipei
13 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND INNOVATION: MAKING MSMES COMPETITIVE - MAKING MSMES COMPETITIVE THROUGH INCLUSIVE PROTECTION OF VARIOUS IPS
647.   We thank Japan for introducing this topic. MSMEs make up 98% of our entire entrepreneurial sector, and although they are behind a large number of creative ideas with significant market value, they often lack sufficient resources to enhance competitiveness through IP. To remedy this situation, we have introduced several key measures aimed at fostering greater understanding of IP protection as well as its proper application and management. The following is a brief overview of our main measures and developments: 648.   The IP Value Maximization Plan for MSMEs is designed to increase awareness about IP rights, be it by strengthening business owners' familiarity with IPRs or highlighting the importance of patent analysis. This is achieved by enabling innovative MSMEs to optimize their IP capabilities and granting them access to helpful resources. Providing a comprehensive service platform for such companies, the plan makes use of various different strategies, i.e., promotional activities and lectures, digital media utilization, telephone consultations, company visits, advisory services and referrals. 649.   The Chinese Taipei Intellectual Property Management System (TIPS), launched in 2007, has also allowed us to implement a plan that provides enterprises with the resources they need to establish their own IP management systems. This has enabled companies to adopt an integrated strategy that combines IP, R&D and business goals, thereby enhancing the effective use of IP to boost their competitiveness and performance. Since its introduction, this plan has already helped more than 2,000 enterprises correctly identify weak spots in their IP management approach, with customized improvement recommendations being made in each case. Not only has this led to a surge in patent applications and quality, it has also increased the number of orders received from large manufacturers, as the improved implementation of trade secret protection measures has strengthened trust. 650.   IP and innovation are both essential for economic growth, a fact that underscores the importance of the government's role in helping MSMEs boost competitiveness through comprehensive IP protection measures.
The Council took note of the statements made.
75. The Chair said that the agenda item had been requested by Australia, Canada, Chile, the European Union, Japan, Singapore, Switzerland, Chinese Taipei, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. These delegations had also submitted a communication to allow Members to prepare for the discussion. Since the circulation of the revised agenda, the Republic of Korea has been added to the co-sponsors of this item and the corresponding submission. She invited the cosponsors to introduce the communication.
76. The representatives of Japan; the United States of America; Singapore; Australia; the European Union; Ecuador; the Republic of Korea; Switzerland; Canada; the United Kingdom; El Salvador; Chinese Taipei; Philippines; Brazil; Mexico; Peru; China; and India took the floor.
77. The Council took note of the statements made.
IP/C/M/96, IP/C/M/96/Add.1