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

12 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND INNOVATION: INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY FOR INVESTMENT/FINANCING/ FUNDING
166.   Canada would like to thank the United Kingdom for drafting the communication for this agenda item as well as other Members that are sharing their views and information on this topic. Canada sees clear connections between the development and protection of IPRs by MSMEs and the ability to secure investment and financing, enhance their growth, conduct additional innovation, and expand further into domestic and international markets. Canada has also identified some opportunities to facilitate the capacity of businesses in this area, particularly MSMEs, and will present on several related initiatives. 167.   As noted at a past meeting of the TRIPS Council, as part of its IP Awareness and Education programme, the Canadian Intellectual Property Office has launched an online IP Academy, featuring a suite of information materials and interactive learning resources for businesses and entrepreneurs. The IP Academy includes a recently-developed "massive open online course" developed by the Canada-based Center for International Governance Innovation on "Foundations of IP Strategy" that offers particular value for MSMEs. The IP Academy also includes an online self-assessment IP strategy tool for MSMEs which generates a tailored guide with information on what to consider when developing their IP strategies. One of many areas covered by this resource is IP-based financing, an area of growing importance and potential for innovative companies. As noted in the tool, IP-based financing strategies include IP-backed loans, IP royalty securitization, which involves the pooling and selling of future IP-related income streams in exchange for immediate financing, and IP sale and license-back arrangements which can involve the sale of IP assets in exchange for immediate financing, while retaining the option of using the IP assets through a license-back arrangement and potential option of to buy back the ownership of the IP assets at a fixed price at the end of the license period. The IP Academy materials are available online should any other Member wish to consult them, share with their own stakeholders, or have questions or feedback to share with Canada. 168.   Additionally, in 2020 the Business Development Bank of Canada launched an IP-backed financing programme for businesses; the first of its kind in Canada to provide capital to highpotential companies in knowledge-based industries, particularly those who have monetized their IP portfolios through product commercialization or licensing arrangements, or both. If other Members with similar programmes – or with an interest in pursuing similar programmes – would have an interest in further discussions with Canada, we would be pleased to follow up and arrange conversations involving our respective authorities in this area, in the spirit of continuing to leverage the TRIPS Council as a venue for collective policy exchange and learning.
51. The Chair recalled that this item had been put on the agenda at the request of Australia, Canada, Chile, The European Union, Japan, Switzerland, Chinese Taipei, the United Kingdom and the United States, and subsequently co-sponsored by the delegations of Brazil and Singapore. A communication had also been circulated in document IP/C/W/679.
52. The representatives of the United Kingdom; Switzerland; the United States; Australia; Singapore; Japan; Canada; Chinese Taipei; the European Union; Brazil; China; Côte d'Ivoire; the United Kingdom; and Jamaica took the floor.
53. The Council took note of the statements made.