A network born out of problem based beginnings – Uniting for a brighter future for IPRs in the Asia-Pacific

(IPRinfo 3/2012)

Teemu Puutio
ARTNeT Census Initiative coordinator ESCAP

ARTNeT Census is a network which facilitates fair and equitable access to knowledge on IPRs in the Asia-Pacific region.

In the vastly and inextricably interconnected world we live in today it is no surprise that also intellectual property rights (IPRs) and the related legislation come together with more and more global linkages by the day. Not only is this development evident in agreements such as the TRIPS negotiated within the WTO, but also within the multifarious IPR provisions set forth in bi- and multilateral trade agreements. It is safe to say that almost every country in the world is equally effected by some form of international IPR obligations that they need to accommodate in national legislation.

However, as was noted by the secretariat of ARTNeT (the Asia-Pacific Research and Training Network on Trade, operating under United Nations Economic and Social Commission for the Asia and the Pacifc, ESCAP) within an immersive workshop held by WIPO and ESCAP, all countries do not share equal access to knowledge on IPRs in particular within the Asia-Pacific region. Even greater inequality lies in the capacities of these countries to effectively operate within this tricky legislative environment.

It is this eye-opening finding that gave the impetus to create a network to facilitate access to knowledge on IPRs within the ESCAP framework that is now called ARTNeT Census. The underlying and most significant aim behind Census is to support policymaking necessary for growth of the innovation economy by offering the region an interactive and engaging knowledge network. The importance of regional innovators and the impact they have on their local economies is also recognized and thus Census is also committed to facilitating the identification of best policies and procedures for the purpose of them being shared and replicated in the region as appropriate.

A regional network with a global twist
The network was established in Bangkok in February 2012 with the notion of creating a platform solely for regional Asia-Pacific stakeholders, such as policy makers, private sector representatives, legal experts and researchers. However, the surprisingly strong and purely positive reaction from those invited to participate in the early stages of the network lead to the idea of extending the scope of the network to also incorporate more global views and participants pertaining to the Asia-Pacific IPRs.

Consequently, the member base now consists of stakeholders from all over the world. The recruitment programme for new members also spans over all continents without restrictions based on nationality or country of residence. The only requirement for those willing to participate is that to be either involved or genuinely interested in the future of the IPR regime in the Asia-Pacific.

By opening the network for global influences, such as those of originating from Nordic countries, ARTNeT Census not only allows the Asia-Pacific region to benefit from the vast expertise gathered outside the region but also affords global thinkers and operators to take part in the development of the region.

Targeting actual problems in the Asia-Pacific region…
True to its origins Census is a network which exists to tackle concrete problems faced by countries in the Asia-Pacific by means of facilitating fair and equitable access to relevant knowledge on IPRs within the region. This approach means that the network takes the tangible obstacles policy makers, private companies and research have to deal with as a point of reference for its operations.

Said problems include the lack of capacity to provide e.g. enforcement authorities with sufficient training on legislative developments, the missing linkages between innovating parties, regulators and the manufacturers and the discrepancies between the capacities of various research institutions to provide valid and relevant outputs. In addition, the network will also focus on the various issues related to the underlying policies giving cause to the tangible problems in the region.

…with various means
In order to attain our goals we will offer various activities and outputs via Census spanning various methods of interaction.

Firstly, in order to facilitate interactions between those dealing with intellectual property rights protection, be they Customs officials or faculty members, we will strive to provide a multitude of dynamic capacity-building possibilities such as workshops and trainings. To provide all regional stakeholders an equal opportunity to turn knowledge into concrete these capacity-building activities will be also accessible online without unnecessary restrictions.

Secondly, as we are striving to raise awareness on IPR issues and to provide unhindered access to knowledge and information on IPR one of Census’s main activities will be a periodical newsletter presenting the most relevant advancements and developments in the field.

Thirdly, Census will provide a unique platform for enabling research and its dissemination, as through Census we are able to indentify key research questions and also act upon them in a cohesive manner as a united network of the brightest minds in the region.

A reach out to Nordic stakeholders
As of the time of writing we are in the early phases of initiating Census’s operations. These fledgling times are naturally filled with challenges but also with thrilling opportunities to create a truly unequalled network of IPR stakeholders. Thus, it is with great pleasure that we invite all of the Nordic stakeholders interested in the Asia-Pacific region to take part in our initiative as members and future participants of Census’s activities. Please feel free to send your informal applications for membership to our secretariat at artnet_census(a)un.org and take the first steps towards being involved in the future of the Asia-Pacific IPR!

More information about Census:
ARTNeT Census