The overall goal of the project is "to contribute that entrepreneurs, creators, researchers and producers in Colombia benefit from an improved intellectual property system".

Superintendencia de Industria y Comercio (SIC), Colombia Dirección Nacional de Derecho de Autor (DNDA), Colombia Selected public sector, private sector and academia representatives

Implementing Agency: Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI); Funding Agency: State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO)

Under Component A, "The national IP Policy has been updated, is being implemented and enforced according to its action plan": 1. Supporting the consultation of interest groups and the preparation and official launch of the new National IP Strategy (adopted in November 2021, including an action plan and milestones); 2. Conducting a legal gap analysis of industrial design legislation and its compatibility with the Hague system; 3. Conducting a legal gap analysis of geographical indication legislation and a feasibility study in regard to the Geneva Act of the Lisbon System; 4. Evaluating 12 handicraft geographical indication products using the GI impact assessment methodology. 5. Transcribing video court hearings regarding industrial property to make jurisprudence available in a public database. Under Component B, "IPR registration and administration entities provide efficient and user-friendly services": 6. Drafting a study on the non-payment of copyright remuneration to CMOs; 7. Drafting a guide on best practices for CMO management and oversight for the DNDA. Under Component C, "IPR entities, academia and private sector representatives promote the acquisition, use and transfer of IPRs to potential users": 8. Creating promotional videos on copyright for the DNDA; 9. Creating a new IP course module for entrepreneurs, together with Colombia Productiva; 10. Organizing two regional exchanges among producers of geographical indications in the Huila and Santander departments of Colombia, following the “Col-Col” (Colombia exchanges with Colombia) modality; 11. Supporting the second regional virtual training on geographical indications for Latin America; 12. Participation of four representatives from Colombia in a study tour on the Swiss system of geographical indications and in an international conference on geographical indications in France.

https://www.ige.ch/en/law-and-policy/development-cooperation/current-projects/colombia-phase-2?L=3

Nathalie Hirsig: Nathalie.Hirsig@ipi.ch

The overall goal of the project is "to contribute that entrepreneurs, creators, researchers and producers in Albania benefit from effective protection of IP objects."

General Directorate of Industrial Property (GDIP) (Ministry of Finance and Economy) Copyright Directorate (Ministry of Culture), State Inspectorate of Market Surveillance (SIMS) Other selected partners of the national IP system

Implementing Agency: Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI); Funding Agency: State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO)

Under Component A, "Improved IP legislation and effective implementation of the national IP strategy contribute to better framework conditions for investment and innovation": 1. Drafting a risk methodology and a regulation regarding the sustainable destruction process for pirated and counterfeit goods. 2. Drafting an IP inspection guide for SIMS. 3. Drafting bylaws on orphan works under copyright law. 4. Drafting a feasibility study on "Copyright in the online environment". 5. Drafting a regulation on GI certification. 6. Supporting the promotion of the National IP Strategy Under Component B, "Well-functioning intellectual property rights (IPRs) registration and administration entities provide efficient and user-friendly services": 1. Translation into Albanian and publication of the EUIPO Guidelines on trademarks and patents, as well as the Hague Agreement and Paris Convention. 2. Drafting a guide on the application and certification process for geographical indications for interested applicants and producers. 3. Drafting a manual on the importance of geographical indications and the protection of traditional specialities. 4. Two-day training session for the Albanian Commission on Geographical Indications. 5. Supporting an application for one national and one international geographical indication registration (ongoing). 6. Participation of the Director of the Copyright Directorate in the WIPO High-Level Meeting on Copyright Enforcement in the Digital Environment in South Korea. Under Component C, "IPR entities, private and academia representatives are strengthened in the promotion, acquisition, use and transfer of IPRs to potential users": 1. Five workshops by national and international consultants on drafting the GDIP Training Centre's strategy for promoting its services. 2. Establishment of an IP network between private stakeholders and public IP institutions to disseminate knowledge about IP. 3. Workshop in Saranda, Albania, for tourism operators on IP and tourism. 4. Two dedicated workshops with female artisans and entrepreneurs on the protection of IP. 5. A report on the inventory of Albanian GI products and assessment of the situation of Albania's registered GIs. Under Component D, "Enforcement of IPRs is strengthened": 1. Supporting Albania's second World IP Day in April 2023. 2. A dedicated workshop with judges and prosecutors presenting a manual on the "Investigation and prosecution of criminal IP offenses in Albania" for policymaking and enforcement institutions. Under Component E, "Awareness of Knowledge and Technology Transfer (KTT) and IPR commercialization as part of innovation process is increased": Printing and regional distribution of a "Guide on IP for Start-ups" (in Albanian).

https://www.ige.ch/en/law-and-policy/development-cooperation/current-projects/albania?L=0%22

Olga Allemann: Olga.Allemann@ipi.ch Nathalie Hirsig: Nathalie.Hirsig@ipi.ch

The overall objective of the IRSIP is to strengthen the Iranian intellectual property system, to improve business competitiveness and commercialization of intellectual property assets, and to make a positive impact on Iran's economic development.

Iranian Intellectual Property Centre (IPC), Ministry of Agriculture Jahad (MAJ), Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism (MCHT), Iran Customs Administration (IRICA), and other selected partners of the national IP system, Iranian GI producers and other selected private sector representatives

Implementing & Funding Agency: Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI)

Under Component A, "Laws, rules, strategies, and procedures to support the protection and commercialization of IPRs and the development of the creative economy are strengthened": • Five training & coaching sessions and one mission by a Swiss expert to Iran on drafting a national GI strategy. • Six exchange sessions with Iranian public authorities on the GI protection policy & framework. • One assessment study of the Iranian GI protection framework. • Mission to Iran and 2 workshops for the IPC, MAJ, and IRICA to establish the first Iranian National GI Committee. Under Component B, "Iran's IP protection system is improved for its users": • 4 online trainings on patent examination for the IPC staff. • 7 further online trainings on IP for Iranian start-ups and SMEs. With the successful closure of this activity, a total of 1,444 persons (823 men and 621 women) were trained on various IP topics. • 11 further online advanced trainings on patent drafting for Iranian patent agents. With the successful closure of this activity, a total of 612 persons (311 men and 301 women) were trained on advanced topics of patent drafting. Under Component C, "The economic value, business competitiveness, and sustainability of registered Iranian geographical indications (GIs) are recognized and demonstrated": • Supporting the GI producers of Zilou of Meybod in establishing their GI association and adopting the quality control plan for their product.

https://www.ige.ch/en/law-and-policy/development-cooperation/current-projects/iran

Zeinab Ghafouri: Zeinab.Ghafouri@ipi.ch

The project's overall objective is that private sector, academic, and civil society actors benefit from a stronger IP system and strategically use IP rights for their development. The following four outcomes of the project are closely interlinked with each other at different levels of the IP system and are expected to contribute towards this overall objective: • Peruvian private sector and research institutes make better use of the patent and industrial design systems. • Increased capacity of the Peruvian systems of denominations of origin (DO), geographical indications (GIs), collective trademarks, and traditional specialties guaranteed (TSG). • Increased knowledge of the Peruvian creative industry and decision makers about copyright. • Support of Peruvian Government efforts to promote the protection of traditional knowledge related to biological resources.

Peruvian National Institute for the Defence of Competition and Protection of Intellectual Property – Indecopi Selected private sector partners

Implementing Agency: Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI); Funding Agency: State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO)

The implementation of project is underway and activities planned include: • Guidelines for business associations on the commercial use of industrial designs and patents by MSMEs have been drafted and disseminated to assist MSMEs with making better use of their IP assets; • Training has been provided to INDECOPI on how to set up and manage a system of Traditional Specialities Guaranteed (TSG) in order to strengthen the use of IPRs in the promotion of Peruvian gastronomy and tourism; • Ongoing support is being provided to the Peruvian promotion agency PROMPERU to strengthen its country brand for coffee (marca sectorial cafés del Perú) to access higher value-added markets; • A GI management organisation for Cacao Amazonas Perú has been set up and is being strengthened to manage their GI.

https://www.ige.ch/en/law-and-policy/development-cooperation/current-projects/peru?L=3

Reto Meili: Reto.Meili@ipi.ch

Since 1987, the IPI has participated in WIPO's Patent Information Services for Developing Countries (WPIS) and has handled individual requests for patent information (state-of-the-art search reports). Additionally, since 1 January 2011, the IPI has participated in the International Cooperation on Examination (ICE) part of WPIS. Therein, the IPI not only provides "state-of-the-art search reports", but also "search and examination reports". These types of reports are provided to facilitate national patent applications in the beneficiary countries. The programme supports the national patent offices in building their competence in search and examination procedures, and helps to strengthen the patent system and legal certainty worldwide. Between September 2021 and August 2022, six ICE-reports were provided (three for Kenya, and one each for Madagascar, Samoa and Djibouti).

Implementing Agency: Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI); Funding Agency: State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO)

1. Supporting national patent authorities in developing countries in increasing their competence in the area of search and examination procedures, and thus strengthening the patent system and legal certainty worldwide. 2. Supporting research institutions and national patent authorities in developing countries in the use of patent information and in establishing a functioning system for the protection of intellectual property in order to promote innovation.

Markus Funk: Markus.Funk@ipi.ch

Most of Switzerland's technical cooperation in the area of IP is carried out through projects financed by SECO and implemented by the IPI, based on the GPIPR. The GPIPR supports developing and least developed countries as well as emerging economies in building an efficient and effective protection of IP to support economic development and facilitate the implementation of the TRIPS Agreement of the WTO. IP-supportive regimes and systems are fundamental to creating sound framework conditions for sustainable trade. IP is central to promoting innovation and the development of new goods, production methods and services. IP provides the incentives necessary to pursue further research and development, and creative works. As such, it is part of a sound foundation for a prosperous private sector as it can attract international investors and protect local knowledge. IP is a central element of today's world trade system and follows standards set out by the WTO's TRIPS Agreement, the dedicated global instrument for IP. IP is also an important topic in trade negotiations to create a level playing field for all actors involved, and to ensure that counterfeit goods are not exchanged in legitimate trading channels. In order to facilitate the implementation of the TRIPS Agreement, developed countries, like Switzerland, have committed to providing technical and financial cooperation for developing and least developed countries. The GPIPR program is SECO's response to this commitment.

Relevant entities and private stakeholders in Albania, Colombia, Georgia, Myanmar, Peru, Serbia, South Africa, and Tunisia.

Implementing Agency: Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI); Funding Agency: State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO)

The overall goal of the GPIPR is to contribute to an improved IP system in developing and least developed countries as well as emerging economies. While IP offices may be the main direct beneficiaries of the program in most cases, other actors also benefit from the interventions under the GPIPR, such as ministries of agriculture, customs or police agencies, judicial institutions, universities, IP-related organizations and associations, SMEs, and wider producer groups. The GPIPR can offer support related to the following areas: A) Advising on IP policy, strategy and legislation for all IP rights; B) Improving IP administration and good governance; C) Assisting owners in the use IP rights; D) Improving enforcement of IP rights; and E) Facilitating knowledge and technology transfer.

https://www.ige.ch/en/law-and-policy/development-cooperation/current-projects/global-program-for-intellectual-property-rights

SECO: info.wehu.cooperation@seco.admin.ch IPI: Martin Girsberger, martin.girsberger@ipi.ch

The Project Technopark Serbia – Boosting Exports through Technoparks (Phase II) is funded by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and implemented by the Science and Technology Park Belgrade (STPB). The IP-related challenges observed during the planning of the second phase of the Technopark Project made it necessary to design a separate project specifically focusing on the IP component. The TES-2-IP contributes to the main Technopark Serbia Project by raising awareness about intellectual property rights (IPRs) within start-ups through technoparks and the Serbian Intellectual Property Office (IPO). To this end, various activities are being implemented that are primarily aimed at building the capacities of an IP officer, relevant STPB staff and Niš and Čačak science and technology parks' staff in IP and in high-tech businesses. The project provides support in the form of IP searches for start-ups. The start-ups will also receive training through workshops on IP strategies, while the IP rights of the selected start-ups with the most potential and/or need, in view of the relevant markets and the given IP landscape, will be protected.

Serbian Science and Technology Park Belgrade, Serbian start-ups, Serbian Intellectual Property Office

Implementing Agency: Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI); Funding Agency: State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO)

A number of project activities in the field of intellectual property were implemented within the framework of the second innovation cycle launched in the technoparks in Serbia: • Third public call for start-ups in the third innovation cycle of the "Raising Starts" program. • Third innovation cycle of the Raising Starts program launched. • 37 selected start-up teams out of 205 received training about IP rights, business, management and finance. • 8 workshops on IP "Staying ahead of the innovation game" for participants from three innovation parks in STP Belgrade, STP Niš and Čačak, online and in-person. 47 companies were trained. • 37 customized IP reports were produced for the start-ups with an analysis of their potential IP assets. • 12 start-up teams received individual in-depth consultations. • Three workshops on "Introduction to the world of licences" for 11 start-ups. • Study mission of Serbian stakeholders from the technoparks, universities, IP office, research institutions and government to Switzerland to discuss how the IP system can contribute to better commercialization of research outcomes in Serbia. • The online version of the IP start-up guide was promoted by IPO Serbia and STP Belgrade.

https://www.ige.ch/en/law-and-policy/development-cooperation/current-projects/serbia-technopark?L=3

Olga Allemann: Olga.Allemann@ipi.ch

The overall objective of the SSAIP project is to contribute to South Africa's socio-economic development through promoting the use and protection of intellectual property rights.

The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic) The Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC)

Implementing Agency: Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI); Funding Agency: State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO)

Under Outcome A: National IP Policy is strengthened through consultations and workshops and sui generis geographical indications (GI) system developed: - A GI Expert Group was established to, inter alia, map stakeholders within the GI legal and institutional framework, conduct a non-exhaustive inventory to enable the study and categorization of potential GI products, and examine how to provide adequate protection within the current legal mechanisms available. • An exchange was held between the IPI, the CIPC and the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development on the Swiss frameworks around GIs. • The Expert Group drafted and delivered considerations to South African policymakers. Under Outcome B: IPR registration and administration entities provide efficient and user-friendly services: Trainings were delivered to CIPC patent examiners on the use of patent search tools and databases. Under Outcome C: SMME-supporting agencies and IPR entities promote protection and use of IPRs to potential users of IPRs: - An exchange was held between the IPI and the CIPC on enforcement initiatives and the IPI's STOP PIRACY campaign. • An SMME Working Group was established between the CIPC, the IPI, the Department of Small Businesses (DSBD) and the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA) to work, inter alia, on a stakeholder map and materials for SEDA and SMMEs. Under Outcome D: Increased commercialisation of IPRs as part of the innovation process: Workshops were given on the internal regulations and procedures for collecting societies.

https://www.ige.ch/en/law-and-policy/development-cooperation/current-projects/south-africa?L=3

Georges Bauer: Georges.Bauer@ipi.ch Olga Allemann: Olga.Allemann@ipi.ch Alexandra Nightingale: Alexandra.Nightingale@ipi.ch

The Myanmar-Swiss Intellectual Property Project (MYSIPP) started in January 2020 and had an initial duration of three years until December 2022. The initial objective of MYSIPP was to contribute to the establishment of an IP system in Myanmar, which is an essential component to create favourable conditions for sustainable trade. Due to the political situation, and in line with the official Swiss position, no activities and trainings were carried out with government and government-related agencies in Myanmar after February 2021. Consequently, the project was put on hold with the exception of a limited number of trainings on geographical indications (GIs) provided exclusively to private-sector partners. Due to ongoing requests for support from private-sector partners in 2022, it was decided to extend the project duration until December 2024, adapt the goals and objectives, and reallocate funds accordingly.

Myanmar Coffee Association; Myanmar Tea Association

Implementing Agency: Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI); Funding Agency: State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO)

The project focuses on strengthening the Myanmar coffee and tea sectors through capacity building on geographical indications. This includes regular trainings on GIs in general, how to draft a book of specification, and best practices of GI management, quality control and GI commercialisation / market access.

https://www.ige.ch/en/law-and-policy/development-cooperation/current-projects/myanmar

Reto Meili: Reto.Meili@ipi.ch

The overall objective of the project is "to contribute to Georgia's socio-economic development through a more effective use of GIs and by the government providing better services to Georgian IP users."

The National Intellectual Property Center of Georgia (Sakpatenti), Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture (MEPA), and other selected public and private sector representatives

Implementing Agency: Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI); Funding Agency: State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO)

GESIP provides support to the following identified priority areas: Legal support: Review of draft GI laws by the IPI experts and one online experience exchange webinar. Support on GIs to Sakpatenti and other governmental institutions: Two physical missions to Georgia and discussions with various officials regarding the mapping of the legal GI landscape in Georgia. Supporting MEPA by having the draft specifications of one selected GI product reviewed by experts from the IPI and the Swiss Federal Office of Agriculture. Support on GIs to GI producers: Visits to various GI producers and start of engagement with them on the possibility of registering their products as GIs as well supporting the value chain of registered ones. Support to Sakpatenti's Department of Inventions and New Varieties and Breeds: One online webinar on IP and Green Technology; Initial discussions/planning of trainings on FTO searches. Presentation by an IPI expert at an international conference on 'The Role of IP Offices in the National Innovation Ecosystem' organised by Sakpatenti.

https://www.ige.ch/de/recht-und-politik/entwicklungszusammenarbeit/laufende-projekte/georgien

Georges Bauer: Georges.Bauer@ipi.ch Zeinab Ghafouri: Zeinab.Ghafouri@ipi.ch

The project's objective is to contribute to entrepreneurs, creators, researchers and producers in Tunisia benefitting from effective IP protection. Outcome A: Improved IP legislation and effective implementation of the National IP Strategy contribute to better framework conditions for investment and innovation. Outcome B: Well-functioning IPR registration and administration entities provide efficient and user-friendly services. Outcome C: IPR entities, private and academia representatives are strengthened in the promotion of the acquisition, use, and transfer of IPRs to potential users. Outcome D: Enforcement of IPRs is strengthened.

Institut National de la Normalisation et de la Propriété Intellectuelle (INNORPI) (Ministère de l'Industrie et des PME), Direction Générale de la Production Agricole (DGPA) (Ministère de l'Agriculture), Organisme Tunisien des Droits d'Auteur et des Droits Voisins (OTDAV) (Ministère de la Culture)

Implementing Agency: Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI); Funding Agency: State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO)

The implementation of the project is underway and activities are being planned. Under Outcome A: • Revision of law on patents • Revision of law on trademarks • Revision of law on industrial designs. • Conduct of 3 online webinars between IPI experts and experts from INNORPI. • Revision of law on agri-food geographical indications and webinars on this topic. Furthermore, an IPI expert mission has been conducted to evaluate the Tunisian GI system.. Under Outcome C: The IPI's GI Impact Assessment Tool has been translated into French for usage by various stakeholders.

https://www.ige.ch/en/law-and-policy/development-cooperation/current-projects/tunisia

Nathalie Hirsig: Nathalie.hirsig@ipi.ch Zeinab Ghafouri: Zeinab.ghafouri@ipi.ch