WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONIP/C/W/203/Add.5
2 October 2000
(00-4004)
Council for Trade-Related Aspects
of Intellectual Property RightsOriginal:  English
TECHNICAL COOPERATION ACTIVITIES:  INFORMATION FROM
DEVELOPED COUNTRY MEMBERS
Addendum
AUSTRALIA
The present document reproduces the updated information on Australia's technical and
financial cooperation activities relevant to the implementation of the TRIPS Agreement, which has
been received from the Permanent Mission of Australia by means of a communication, dated
20 September 2000.
_______________
1. Pursuant to Article 67 of the TRIPS Agreement, the Council for TRIPS requests an update
from developed country Members of their technical and financial cooperation programmes in the areaof intellectual property rights (IPRs) relevant to the implementation of the TRIPS Agreement.  The
present document updates the report provided by  Australia in 1999 (IP/C/W/154/Add.4), for the
consideration of the Council at its meeting from 21-22 September 2000, at which there will be special
focus under Agenda Item G, on Technical Cooperation.
2. Australia fulfils its Article 67 technical cooperation commitments at the bilateral, regional and
multilateral levels.  Its cooperation activities are largely focused on developing countries particularly
in the Asia-Pacific region.
3. In recent years, bilateral assistance has been provided to 14 WTO Members and nine
prospective Members.  The four Government agencies chiefly involved are IP Australia, the
Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), the Department of Foreign Affairs and
Trade (DFAT), and the Attorney-General's Department (AGD).
4. At the regional level, Australia works closely with the APEC Secretariat and with Japan as
the Convenor of the APEC Intellectual Property Righ ts Expert Group (IPEG).  Australia will host the
next meeting of the APEC IPEG in March 2001, to gether with a workshop on cooperation in relation
to intellectual property right enforcement.
5. Australia's programme of technical cooperation in the intellectual property field includes
providing assistance to developing countries in fo rmulating their intellectual property laws and
administration, cooperation in the administration and enforcement of intellectual property rights and
conducting a number of major intellectual property training programmes in the Asia-Pacific region,
including an extended training programme on the management of biotechnology-related intellectual
property.IP/C/W/203/Add.5
Page 2
6. In March 2000, during the visit to Australia of the WIPO Director General, Dr. Idris, WIPO
and the Government of Australia concluded a Statement on Cooperation for Intellectual Property
Technical Assistance in Asia and the Pacific Region.  This agreement established a joint WIPO-
Australia working group to focus on the identification of the intellectual property needs of Asia and
the Pacific region and on appropriate responses to those needs, including by way of technicalassistance.
7. Several non-governmental organizations and a number of private companies (see
paragraph 67 for activities) have made substantial contributions to technical cooperation initiatives.
These include:
• the Australian section of the International Federation of Industrial Property Attorneys
(FICPI);
• the Australian Copyright Council;
• Asia-Pacific Committee of the International Federation of Reproduction Rights
Organizations (IFFRO);
• the Australasian Performing Right Association Limited (APRA);
• the Copyright Agency Limited.
I. BILATERAL
A. WTO M
EMBERS
Brunei Darussalam
8. In 2000, IP Australia provided a consultant to Brunei Darussalam for on-the-job training in
TM processing, search and examination, classification and opposition to registration under the new
Trade Mark Order of Brunei Darussalam.  IP Australia also provided a consultant to assist the
Brunei Darussalam Registry of Trademarks and Industrial Designs in its internal operations and to
advise on industrial designs processing includ ing search, documentation and other procedures.
Fiji
9. In 2000, a Fiji official held discussions in Canberra on technical assistance requirements and
intellectual property issues.
Hong Kong, China
10. From 1996 to 1998, staff from the IP Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region of China visited Australia for training in Australia's trademark (TM) practices and procedures,
including the use of IT systems to process TM applications.  During 1999, Australia provided advice
to Hong Kong, China on the implementation of their new TM law.  A Hong Kong TM hearingsofficer received training in hearing procedures at IP Australia in July 2000.IP/C/W/203/Add.5
Page 3
India
11. In February 2000, an official from IP Australia, undertook a WIPO expert mission to India to
assist in the further modernization of the TM Regi stry by undertaking analysis of its requirements in
regard to its computer system, administrative infrastructure and the Trade Marks Act 1999, which isdue to be implemented soon.  At the same time, discussions were held in India between IP Australia
and Indian government officials on cooperation in the areas of intellectual property.
12. In March 2000, an Indian official held disc ussions in Canberra on technical assistance
requirements and intellectual property issues.
Indonesia
13. Over a number of years, Australia has engaged in a wide range of technical cooperation with
Indonesia in relation to intellectual property law and administration.  This has included seminars
hosted by the then Australian Industrial Property  Organization (AIPO), now  IP Australia.  This
development cooperation activity included the establishment of a Sub-Group of Intellectual Property
under the auspices of the Australia-Indonesia Ministerial Forum.
14. Thus from 1996 to 1998, to assist Indonesia meet its obligations under the TRIPS Agreement,
AusAID provided funding through the first phase of the Indonesia-Australia Specialized Training
Project to strengthen intellectual property infras tructure needed for effective intellectual property
administration and intellectual property right enforcement.
15. The second phase (1998-2003), also funded by AusAID, comprises a series of courses in both
countries at elementary and advanced levels for both government officials and the private sector inselected specialized areas of intellectual property rights (IPRs), involving a range of processes and
skills required for effective protection and commercial exploitation of intellectual property rights.
Associated activities include contributions to th e design and implementation of a project for the
Indonesian Directorate-General of Intellectual Property Rights.  Reciprocal visits between the two
countries over the past two years have included briefings on respective procedures includingopposition and enforcement procedures;  Indonesian draft laws on industrial designs, trade secrets and
integrated circuit layouts;  consistency with the TRIPS Agreement and likely practical implementation
issues;  provision of a trademark expert (under WI PO auspices) and an expert to review proposed
amendments to Indonesia's patent and trademark legislation for consistency with the TRIPS
Agreement.
16. In 1999/2000, IP Australia in conjunction with SMEC International undertook a World Bank
funded project to re-develop the Indonesian intellectual property system, and personnel from thatagency, as well as the AGD and DFAT were involved in the project.  The project report was finalized
in March 2000.  This included a national seminar in Jakarta presented by DFAT on maximizing
Indonesia's social and economic interests under the TRIPS Agreement.
17. In July 1999, the Attorney-General's Department, IP Australia and DFAT hosted an
Indonesian delegation to discuss aspects of the TRIPS Agreement and various elements of intellectualproperty-related legislation.
18. In October 1999, and in February, May and June 2000, IP Australia hosted visits from
students involved in the Indonesia Australia Specialized Training Project, Phase II, to discuss
intellectual property administration with relevant government agencies.  This project is funded by
AusAID and comprises a series of courses in both countries at elementary and advanced levels forboth government officials and the private sector in selected specialized areas of intellectual property
rights, involving a range of processes and skills required for effective protection and commercialIP/C/W/203/Add.5
Page 4
exploitation of intellectual property rights.  The students are studying at the University of Technology
Sydney.
19. Under the above IASTP project DFAT and IP Australia have provided experts for over ten
week-long advanced specialist training sessions Jakarta on the TRIPS Agreement, and on the
principles of patent and designs systems and examination.
20. In March 2000, AusAID funded a four-day seminar in Jakarta on international law.  The
seminar was conducted by the AGD and the Indonesian Ministry of Law and Legislation.
Korea, Republic of
21. Between 1996 and 1998, several Korean patent examiners undertook study placements with
IP Australia.  In 1999, Australia hosted a visit by se nior officials of the Industrial Property Tribunal of
the Korean Industrial Property Office (KIPO) to discuss examination, appeal and managementsystems.  In December 1999, three KIPO officers visited IP Australia to study programme and
performance management systems.
Malaysia
22. Between 1996 and 1998, Australia provided training to a number of trademark examiners in
trademark examination practice and procedures including opposition procedures and search systems.
23. In 1997, WIPO, as part of a UNDP Country Project - "Strengthening the Industrial Property
System of Malaysia", asked IP Australia to provide a TM expert to assist Malaysia in the
implementation of amendments to its TM Act through:  (a) revision of the manual on TM law and
practice to incorporate changes which were introduced to the TM Act 1986;  and (b) provision ofon-the-job training to selected officials of the division on the trial implementation of the new manual.
24. In 1999, a training programme in hearing and opposition procedures was conducted at
IP Australia for Malaysian TM and patents hearing officials.
Mongolia25. In 1997, Australia presented papers to the WIPO funded Mongolian National Seminar on
Intellectual Property.  In 1997, an officer from the Mongolian Intellectual Property Office spent
several months in Australia studying the Australian intellectual property system.
Papua New Guinea
26. In 1997, discussions were held with Papua New Guinea officials on the provision of technical
assistance to enable Papua New Guinea to meet its obligations under the TRIPS Agreement.Australia provided assistance in the automation of the Papua New Guinea Trade Marks Office.  In
1999, Australia undertook an investigation for the PNG office into the training needs of their
trademark examiners.  During a follow-up visit to Australia by a senior official from the Papua New
Guinea office in late 1999, discussions were held on the establishment of a patents and designs system
for Papua New Guinea.
27. IP Australia funded the attendance of a delegate from Papua New Guinea at a WIPO-IP
Australia regional symposium in March 2000.  The delegate subsequently held discussions in
Canberra on technical assistance requirements and intellectual property issues.IP/C/W/203/Add.5
Page 5
Philippines
28. Further to reciprocal visits of intellectual property staff under WIPO auspices, in July 1996
(with AusAID funding), IP Australia provided expert  assistance in finalizing the intellectual property
protocol of the General Agreement on Development Cooperation with the Philippines.  Two seminarswere also held on the economic importance of intellectual property in the context of overseas
development cooperation.  In July 1996, DFAT conducted a training course for Philippine officials on
methods of assessing the individual action pl ans (IAPs) of APEC economies against GATT/WTO
principles and comparability.
Singapore
29. In 1998, Australia provided training in TM law and practice matters for TM examiners before
implementation of the new Singapore Trade Ma rks Act.  In August 2000, a one-week training
programme was conducted for the officers and staff of IPOS in the administration, processing and
examination of industrial designs applications, taking into account the registration system provided
under the Registered Designs Bill of Singapore.
Slovenia
30. In 1999, IP Australia hosted a visit by a delegation of Slovenian post-graduate students for
discussions on innovation and industrial property.
Solomon Islands31. In 2000, an official from Solomon Islands held discussions in Canberra on technical
assistance requirements and intellectual property issues.
Thailand
32. Australia has long provided assistance to Thailand both bilaterally and through WIPO.  In
1997, Australia entered into an MOU with Thailand on Cooperation in Intellectual Property and a
reciprocal arrangement was concluded between the respective Intellectual Property Offices which
recognizes priority rights.  In 1999, discussions focusing on the MOU were conducted between the
Thai Department of Intellectual Property and IP Aust ralia.  It was agreed that the two organizations
would continue to develop cooperative activities, including the training of personnel, information
exchange with better utilisation of the Internet, the encouragement of networking between the private
sector intellectual property bodies, and the sharing of our experience with implementation reviewsunder the TRIPS Agreement.
33. In 1998 and 1999, training was provided to Thai officials on search and substantive
examination in industrial designs.  In 1999, with AusAID funding, the Attorney General's Department
organized technical training for Thai judges, court staff and prosecutors in intellectual
property-related casework.  It is hoped that the training materials used might be useful intellectualproperty guidance for other economies.
34. In 2000, Australia conducted a biotechnology intellectual property training programme in
Thailand for research institutes and intellectual property administrators.  This course was funded by
the AusAID/APEC support programme.IP/C/W/203/Add.5
Page 6
B. PROSPECTIVE WTO M EMBERS
Bhutan
35. In 1997, Australia presented papers at the WIPO National Seminar on Intellectual Property
and the TRIPS Agreement.  In 1999, an officer from IP Australia visited Bhutan to discuss theirintellectual property training and assistance needs.
People's Republic of China
36. In 1998 and 1999, Australia hosted visits by two delegations of various government and trade
industry agencies to discuss intellectual property and patent management matters.
37. In 1998, the AGD organized a study tour for a delegation from the National Copyright
Administration of China.  The delegation visited Government departments with an interest incopyright policy, copyright collecting societies and copyright industry bodies in Melbourne, Canberra
and Sydney.
38. In 1999, IP Australia received two delegations from various Chinese government and industry
sectors for general discussions on intellectual property issues in Australia.
39. In August 2000, an official from DFAT Australia conducted an intensive, week-long
workshop in China on implementation of the TRIPS Agreement.
Kiribati
40. In 2000, a Kiribati official held discussions in Canberra on technical assistance requirements
and intellectual property issues.
Nepal
41. In 1999, an officer from IP Australia visited Nepal to evaluate training and assistance needs to
help Nepal to meet their requirements under the TRIPS Agreement.  In 2000, on completion of the
WIPO-IP Australia regional symposium, the delegate from Nepal held discussions in Canberra ontechnical assistance requirements and intellectual property issues.
Niue
42. In 2000, an official from Niue held discussions in Canberra on technical assistance
requirements and intellectual property issues.
Russia and Neighbouring Countries43. In 2000, IP Australia hosted a visit by a delegation of patent attorneys from the Russian
Federation, Ukraine, Belarus and Kazakstan for discussions on the intellectual property system in
Australia.
Tonga44. In 2000, a Tongan official held discussions in Canberra on technical assistance requirements
and intellectual property issues.  IP Australia undertook in 2000, to provide computer resources to the
Tonga Intellectual Property Office to assist in the upgrade of their infrastructure and provide training
in trademark examination practices and procedures.IP/C/W/203/Add.5
Page 7
Vanuatu
45. In 1999, an official from IP Australia held disc ussions with the Vanuatu Intellectual Property
Office on possible assistance in the modernization of systems and compliance with the TRIPS
Agreement.  In 2000, an official from Vanuatu held discussions in Canberra on technical assistancerequirements and intellectual property issues.
Viet Nam
46. Following the MOU between Australia and Viet Nam in 1995 on intellectual property
cooperation, in May 1996, AusAID funded two semi nars in Viet Nam under the APEC Support
Programme.  These were conducted by three Australian Government entities to strengthen
Vietnamese understanding of intellectual property and the role of intellectual property in supportingincreased transfer of technology, trade and investment activity.
47. AusAID funded a training course conducted in Hanoi in November/December 1999 on
international law, including a major focus on intellectual property.  The course was attended by
49 senior government officials.
48. In 2000, IP Australia provided a lecturer for a biotechnology intellectual property training
programme in Viet Nam for research institutes and intellectual property administrators.  This course
was funded by the AusAID APEC support programme.
49. IP Australia has invited senior Vietnamese officials to Australia in order to further
cooperation and technical assistance.
II. REGIONAL
50. Australia provided assistance for the following regional activities:
• In 1996, IP Australia, in conjunction with the EPO and WIPO helped the patent attorney
profession to initiate a training programme for patent attorneys in the Asia-Pacific region.
51. Australia hosted the following regional fora:
• The Asia-Pacific Intellectual Property Office in the New Millennium, March 1998.
• In 1998, over 30 participants from the APEC region attended an AusAID funded
specialized training programme on biotechnology and intellectual property.
52. In 2000, Australia jointly hosted with WIPO a Regional Symposium on Strategic
Management of Intellectual Property in the 21
st Century.
53. In November-December 1998 (with AusAID funding), DFAT conducted a course of training
and technical support on biotechnology, intellectual property and licensing in the framework of the
TRIPS Agreement.  The aim was to support biotechnology research programmes in developing
countries in the APEC region, by promoting understanding on how to secure potential economic
benefits of the intellectual property system.  Participants in this course were from China, Indonesia,
the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Viet Nam, the Republic of Korea, Papua New Guinea and Fiji.
54. In 2000, under Australia's Biotechnology Intellectual Property Specialist Training
Programme, a biotechnology intellectual property licensing kit was being prepared for researchers atthe laboratory level, and local communities with rega rd to licensing and cross licensing of intellectual
property protected technologies, including access to and use of biological material.  The kit could alsoIP/C/W/203/Add.5
Page 8
be suitable for community based groups involved in  negotiations for access to local biodiversity and
bio-cultural knowledge.  The kit could promote skills in contract licensing agreements that protect the
interests of researchers, institutions and investor s.  This can assist in creating an equitable
environment for future biotechnology developments in the Asia-Pacific region.  The kit includes
elements on:  contract/licence negotiation skills;  case studies;  background to legal issues/drafting;overview of intellectual property right systems and intellectual property right management;  how to
analyse a patent document/other intellectual property rights;  how to analyse a licence document;  and
interactive questions and answers to guide users in developing an appropriate contract management,
or to analyse an existing proposal.
55. In 2000, Australia submitted to the ASEAN Working Group on Intellectual Property
Cooperation a detailed proposal for AFTA-CER cooperation in intellectual property.  This proposal
focuses on the development of the necessary practical and technical skills to improve capacitybuilding of ASEAN countries in managing protectio n of intellectual property rights.  The proposal
identifies biotechnology intellectual property management and copyright management programmes as
the two immediate areas of concern where improved  understanding of the intellectual property system
and more effective management of intellectual property rights can be expected to yield direct benefits.
56. As part of its APEC support programme, AusAID funded a course run jointly by the
Edith Cowan University in Western Australia and the Australian Securities and Investments
Commission (ASIC) in April 1999.  The aim was to  improve the regulatory environment for the
prevention of corporate and governmental fraud including industrial and intellectual property theft.
Participants were from Indonesia, the Philippines and Viet Nam.
57. The Osaka Action Agenda, adopted by APEC Ministers and Leaders in November 1995,
included the development of a survey of statutes related to intellectual property rights and of
corresponding jurisprudence, administrative guidelines and activities of related organizations.  The
APEC Intellectual Property Experts Group (IPEG) in itiated several surveys of intellectual property
law and practice in APEC economies, with the overall aim of enhancing understanding of the current
system in each economy.  This is intended to facilitate use of national intellectual property (IP)systems by businesses and individuals, and also to facilitate cooperation between national
administrations within the APEC region.  It is al so being used to assist in preparations for
implementation of the TRIPS Agreement and review processes.  With support from the APEC
Secretariat and IPEG, Australia is currently concluding surveys of Intellectual Property Jurisprudence
and Administrative guidelines, which has also supported the readiness of documentation on the
TRIPS Agreement.
58. In April 2000, IP Australia sponsored a two-day colloquium for tutors of the FICPI Academy
of Education which conducts training courses in patent drafting for Asian students.  Tutors and
observers attended from France, Germany, Canada, Singapore and Australia.
59. Australia has prepared and distributed an informal study on the notification and review
processes of the TRIPS Agreement, which is designed to make use of existing documentary resources
to facilitate the preparations for and conduct of notification and review obligations under the TRIPSAgreement by developing country Members as those obligations came into effect for them.
60. In April 1998, together with the WTO Secretariat, Australia and New Zealand co-hosted and
co-financed a regional seminar on the TRIPS Agreement, WIPO treaties, enforcement issues and
practical syndicate exercises for implementation of the TRIPS Agreement, for least developed and
developing countries in the Asia-Pacific region.
61. In March 2000, during the Director General's visit to Australia, WIPO and Australia
concluded a Statement on Cooperation for Intellectual Property Technical Assistance in Asia and the
Pacific region.  A joint WIPO-Australia working group has been established to focus on theIP/C/W/203/Add.5
Page 9
identification of the intellectual property needs of Asia and the Pacific region and on appropriate
responses to those needs, including by way of technical assistance.
62. In 2000, Australia distributed in electronic form the draft of a handbook of material on
Intellectual Property Rights in Thailand to members of the APEC IPEG arising from a symposium
conducted with the Thai Intellectual Property and International Trade Court in July 1999.
63. Australia prepared and disseminated, for APEC IPEG partners, a resource and planning kit for
the development and implementation of public awareness and education programmes in developing
countries.
64. Australia concluded an interim Memorandum of  Understanding with the GCC Patent Office
to conduct search and examination for the GCC Patent Office.
65. Australia continues to provide patent searches for the Intellectual Property Offices of
Thailand, Fiji and Singapore under bilateral arrangements.
66. Australian officials and non-government representatives presented papers at the following
regional and international fora:
• WIPO Asian Regional Round Table on the Strengthening of the Intellectual Property
System in View of Recent International Developments, 1996;
• Commonwealth Secretariat South Pacific Workshop on Legal issues arising out of the
Uruguay Round Agreements, New Zealand, June 1997;
• APEC Symposium on Intellectual Property Enforcement Rights, Chinese Taipei,
July 1997;
• APEC Industrial Property Rights Symposium on the Development of Industrial Property
Systems towards the 21st Century, Japan, 1997;
• 15th LAWASIA Conference, Philippines, August 1997;
• International Symposium on the PCT system in the 21st Century, China, April 1998;
• Asia & Pacific Seed Association Plant Patents Seminar-Workshop, Philippines,
September 1998;
• WIPO Workshop on the 1996 Internet Treaties, Shanghai, October 1998;
• WIPO Asian Regional Forum on Intellectual Property Policy Development, Japan,
October 1998;
• Seminar/Workshop on Plant Patent Issues in Asia-Pacific, the Philippines,
September 1998;
• APEC Symposium on Intellectual Property Rights, Japan, February 1999;
• APEC Intellectual Property Rights International Symposium, June 1999, Republic of
Korea;IP/C/W/203/Add.5
Page 10
• WIPO Regional Consultations on E-commerce and Intellectual Property, Kuala Lumpur,
June 1999;
• WIPO Asia-Pacific Regional Forum on Intellectual Property Policy Issues in the Next
Millennium, India, July 1999;
• International Conference on Intellectual Property Protection in Turkey and the World,
Turkey, June 1999;
• APEC Partners for Progress training course, Thailand, 1997, 1998 and 1999;
• 4th APEC/PFP Course on the Management of Intellectual Property Rights, Thailand,
August/September 1999;
• WIPO International Symposium on Intellectual Property and Knowledge-based
Economy, China, October 1999;
• International Symposium on Intellectual Property and Information Technology,
Hong Kong, China, November 1999;
• International Symposium on Intellectual Property and International Trade in the New
Millennium, Thailand, November 1999;
• WIPO Asian Regional Symposium, The Role of the Intellectual Property System in
Augmenting Enterprise Competitiveness, Bangladesh, November 1999;
• WIPO 6th High Level Meeting of Government Officials of the South Pacific Countries on
Cooperation in the Field of Intellectual Property, Vanuatu, November 1999;
• Asian Patent Attorney Association - FICPI Intellectual Property Forum, India,
February 2000;
• WIPO PCT Seminar, Indonesia, March 2000;
• WIPO Asian Regional Seminar on the International Protection of Trademarks, China,
June 2000;
• World Book Fair Conference, Singapore, June 2000;
• On-line Information and Education Conference, Thailand, July 2000;
• WIPO/Government of the Philippines E-Commerce and Intellectual Property
Symposium, the Philippines, August 2000;
• WIPO Sub-Regional Symposium on Copyright and Related Rights for South Pacific
Countries, Samoa, August 2000.IP/C/W/203/Add.5
Page 11
67. Non-governmental organizations and educationa l institutions in Australia have also had
significant involvement in technical training activiti es during the period.  These include the following:
The Australian Section of International Federation of Intellectual Property Attorneys (FICPI)
• From 1997-2000, the International Federation of Intellectual Property Attorneys (FICPI),
sponsored by IP Australia and using Australian tutors, conducted the South East Asian
Drafting (SEAD) course on patent drafting techniques for trainee patent attorneys in
Singapore.  Students were from Singapore;  Malaysia;  Brunei;  Viet Nam;  Hong Kong,
China;  Thailand;  India;  Pakistan;  Indonesia;  and the Philippines.  The courses - partly
workshop and partly correspondence - each extended over six months.
• Since 1997, FICPI has managed a student exchange programme under which trainee patent
attorneys in developing countries are provided with a three-month placement in an office of a
patent attorney in Australia.
• In 1997, 1998 and 1999, a scholarship of US$5,000 was awarded to a SEAD student to
facilitate further training in a patent attorneys office.
Australian Copyright Council
• Lectures and briefings on copyright for the Indonesia-Australia Training Project (1996 to
2000).
• Briefings of government and non-government  delegations and individuals from China,
Indonesia, Singapore, India and Malaysia.
• Presentation at the Asian Pacific Publisher's Association Publishing, 3 June 1999.
• Observer at World Forum on the Protection of Expressions of Folklore (Phuket, Thailand,
8-10 April 1997) organized by WIPO and UNESC O;  and the Symposium on the Protection of
Traditional Knowledge and Expressions of Indigenous Cultures in the Pacific Islands
(Noumea, New Caledonia, 15-19 February 1999), or ganized by the Secretariat of the Pacific
Community and UNESCO.
• Presentation at Regional Consultation on the Protection of Expressions of Folklore for
Countries of Asia and the Pacific (Hanoi, Viet Nam, 21-23 April 1999), organized by WIPO
and UNESCO.
• Together with the Copyright Society of Australia, organizing the 1999 Copyright Symposium
(Sydney, 11-12 November 1999), which included participants from China, Singapore and
New Zealand.
• Hosting copyright seminars in Melbourne in March 2000, which were attended by a number of
participants from Singapore.
• Distributing publications on copyright issues to countries in the region, including the Republic
of Korea, Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia.IP/C/W/203/Add.5
Page 12
Asia-Pacific Committee of the International Federation of Reproduction Rights Organizations
(IFFRO)
• The development responsibilities of the Asia-Pacific Committee of IFFRO encompass
Australia and New Zealand, the South Pacific, South and North East Asia.
• The IFFRO representative in Thailand in July 2000 provided information to government
officials on copyright collective management provisions of Australian law to assist with theredrafting of the Thai copyright law.
• The IFFRO representative in Samoa in Augu st 2000 undertook discussions with senior
government officials and WIPO delegates to promote WIPO and copyright collective
management, and also discussed copyright licensing with representatives of the University ofSouth Pacific.
• IFFRO has been instrumental in supporting ne w Reproduction Rights Or ganizations (RROs) in
order to implement effective, practical copyright protection.  Countries of interest to theAsia-Pacific Committee include the Philippines;  Fiji;  Singapore;  Malaysia;  and Hong Kong,
China.  Hong Kong Reprographic Rights Licensing Society (HKRRLS) was formed in 1995,
but only appointed a General Manager in 1999 and in 2000 signed its first major licence
agreements with educational institutions.  Copyright Licensing and Administration Society ofSingapore Limited (CLASS) was formed in 1999, and a General Manager was appointed in
early 2000.  Copyright Agency Limited (CAL), whose chief executive is the chair of the
IFFRO AP Committee, hosted the General Manager for training for a week in August 2000.
• IFFRO has also played an active role in possibilities for cooperation through projects in the
former colonies of the EU member States located in the Pacific Region in the context of the
Lome Conventions and the implementation of TRIPS Agreement requirements.
• IFFRO has had some contact with publishers in Malaysia in an attempt to revive activity of the
established (but not operational) Copyright Clearing Centre Malaysia (CCCM).
• Copyright Agency Limited also hosted the <indecs> conference on behalf of the national
Copyright Industry Alliance in Sydney in March 2000.  <Indecs> is a project to establish
interoperability of data in e-commerce systems.
The Australasian Performing Right Association Ltd. (APRA)
Fiji
• APRA established a local performing right society in Fiji (the Fijian Performing Right
Association "FPRA").  Assistance includes on- going financial and royalty distribution services
and technical assistance in the legal, administrative and policy areas.  A structured training
programme and staff exchange programme for the FPRA is being developed.
Asia-Pacific Regional Office of the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and
Composers (CISAC)
• The APRA delegate on the Asia-Pacific committee of Regional Office of the International
Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC) actively participates in and
contributes to all committee activities and assistance programmes.IP/C/W/203/Add.5
Page 13
• The APRA delegate helped organize a "regional on-line and satellite licensing exchange and
meeting" in Kuala Lumpur in July 2000, which was attended by all societies in the region.
• APRA hosted the 1999 CISAC Asia-Pacific Regi onal Training and Exchange Programme
attended by delegates from a range of Asia-Pacific countries.
• APRA also hosted training for a week in May 2000 for two employees of the Malaysian
society, MACP.
Other technical cooperation resources
68. Awareness building and general training resources prepared by Australian agencies have been
made widely available through the Internet, and are readily available for users in all Members.  Theseinclude, by way of example:
• training and awareness materials for children:  http://www.ippyonline.gov.au/
• training and awareness material on copyright: http://www.copyright.org.au/learn.htm
(Countries from the region which have had access to this web site in recent months
include:  People's Republic of China, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Chinese
Taipei, Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Brunei Darussalam, Vanuatu, Viet Nam
and Papua New Guinea.)
• general awareness materials on industrial property:  http://www.ipta.com.au/
69. Australia is also responsible for maintaining th e APEC Intellectual Property Contact Point list
which is aimed at facilitating the flow of practical information about the operation of intellectual
property systems within the APEC region:
• http://www.apecsec.org.sg/ipr/iprlist.html
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