IP/C/R/TC/CHE/1  
 
5 October 2020  
(20-6746) Page: 1/8 
Council for Trade -Related Aspects of  
Intellectual Property Rights  Original: English  
 
 
TECHNICAL COOPERATION ACTIVITIES:  
INFORMATION FROM MEMBERS  
SWITZERLAND  
The following communication, dated 17 September 2020 is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of Switzerland.  
 
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1.  Following documents IP/C/W/12/Add.3 of 13 September 1995, IP/C/W/34/Add.2 of 
17 September 1996, IP/C/W/77/Add.3 of 30 September 1997, IP/C/W/109/Add.1 of 4 September 
1998, IP/C/W/154/Add.2 of 8 October 1999, IP/C/W/203/Add.1 of 13 September 2000, 
IP/C/W/306/Add.3 of  18 September 2001, IP/C/W/377/Add.9 of 24 January 2003, 
IP/C/W/408/Add.4 of 14 November 2003, IP/C/W/426/Add.2 of 8 September 2004, IP/C/W/455 of 
5 October 2005, IP/C/W/476 of 14 September 2006, IP/C/W/496 of 28 September 2007, 
IP/C/W/514/Add.4 of 17  October 2008, IP/C/W/536/Add.3 of 20 October 2009, IP/C/W/550/Add.2 
of 20 October 2010, IP/C/W/560/Add.5 of 14 October 2011, IP/C/W/582/Add.4  of 25 October 2012, 
IP/C/W/593/Add.5 of 4 October 2013, IP/C/W/593/Add.5 of 4 October 2014, IP/C/W/610/Add.3 of 
1 Octo ber 2015 and IP/C/W/617/Add.2  of 14 October 2016, IP/C/W/632/Add.5 of 6 October 2017, 
IP/C/W/647/Add.1 of 18 October 2018 and IP /C/W/655 of 20 September 2019, in which much of 
the description of the aims and organisational aspects of technical cooperation remains relevant, 
this report describes the activities of the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (hereafter 
"the IPI") in the field of technical cooperation between 1 September 2019 and 31 August 20201. 
Drafted in line with preceding reports, this document draws a distinction between multilateral and 
bilateral activities. It is the objective of the Swiss authorities to ensure optimal coordination of 
available resources, both at the multilateral and bilateral level, while avoiding duplication or the 
overlap of programmes.  
MULTILATERAL ACTIVITIES - TECHNICAL COOPERATION IN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE 
WORLD INTELLECTUAL PROPERT Y ORGANIZATION (WIPO) AND THE WORLD TRADE 
ORGANIZATION (WTO)  
1.1  Free-of-Charge Searches for WIPO on behalf of developing countries  
2.  Since 1987, the IPI has been participating in the WIPO Patent Information Services for 
Developing Countries (WPIS), set up by WIPO, and handled individual requests for patent 
information (state -of-the-art search reports). Additionally, since 1 January 2011 , the IPI has been 
participating in the International Cooperation on Examination (ICE) part of WPIS. The IPI thus not 
only provides "state-of-the-art search reports ", but also "search and examination reports ". These 
types of reports are provided to facilit ate national patent applications in the beneficiary countries. 
The programme supports the national patent offices in building up their competence in search and 
examination procedures, and helps to strengthen the patent system and legal certainty worldwide.  
3.  Between 1 September 2019 and 31 August 2020, the IPI conducted, at the request of WIPO, 
free-of-charge searches for the following countries:  
 
1 Unless otherwise indicated.  IP/C/R/TC/CHE/1  
 
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  Country  Number of 
searches  
ICE-Searches:   
Kenya  7 
  
WPIS -Searches:   
- - 
Total  7 
BILATERAL ACTIVITIES  
4.  Many of Switzerland 's technical cooperation bilateral activities are carried out by projects 
financed by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) through its Global Program me 
for Intellectual Property Rights (GPIPR). The GPIPR is implemented by the Swiss Federal Institute of 
Intellectual Property (IPI). The GPIPR supports developing and least developed countries as well as 
emerging economies in building up an efficient and eff ective protection of intellectual property rights 
to support economic development and facilitate the implementation of the WTO Agreement on 
Trade -Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights.  
5.  Within this programme and generally across projects, work is undertaken through the following 
determined components that endeavour to:  
a. advise on IP policy, strategy and legislation for all IP rights;  
b. improve IP administration and good governance;  
c. enable owners in the use of IP rights;  
d. improve enforcement of IP right s; and  
e. facilitate knowledge and technology transfer.  
6.  Intellectual property (IP) supportive regimes and systems are fundamental in creating sound 
framework conditions for sustainable trade. IP is central to promote innovation and the development 
of new good s, services and production methods. IP provides the incentives necessary to pursue 
further research and development, and creative works. Insofar, it is part of a sound foundation for 
a prosperous private sector, helpful for attracting international investo rs, as well as for protecting 
local knowledge.  
7.  While IP offices may be the main direct beneficiaries of the programme in most cases, other 
actors also benefit and gain opportunities through the interventions under the GPIPR, such as 
ministries of agricult ure, customs or police agencies, judiciary institutions, universities, IP -related 
organisations and associations, SMEs and local producers.  
8.  The GPIPR has been operational since June 2018.  
2.1  Albania  
9.  During the reporting period, a new bilateral project was fo rmulated with Albania.  
10.  The Albanian –Swiss Intellectual Property Project (ALSIP) started in March 2020 and will run 
until February 2024. The overall goal of the project is "to contribute in such a way that 
entrepreneurs, creators, researchers and producers in Albania benefit from effective protection of IP 
objects ". ALSIP 's two main institutional partners and beneficiaries are the General Directorate of 
Industrial Property (GDIP) (Ministry of Finance and Economy) and the Copyright Directorate 
(Ministry of Cu lture), along with several other partners of the national IP system. The ALSIP project 
is a project under the GPIPR. The following activities were undertaken within the reporting period:  IP/C/R/TC/CHE/1  
 
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  Under Component A, "Improved IP legislation and effective implementat ion of the national IP 
strategy contribute to better framework conditions for investment and innovation ":  
• Coordinating with the Government of Albania and WIPO on updating the National IP 
Strategy of Albania (2021 -2025).  
Under Component B, "Well-functioning intellectual property rights (IPRs) registration and 
administration entities provide efficient and user -friendly services ":  
• Baseline of needs for an exchange of experience and training for the GDIP (Industrial 
property ) and the Copyright Directorate (CMO oversight) with Swiss peers.  
Under Component C, "IPR entities, private and academia representatives are strengthened in the 
promotion of acquisition, use and transfer of IPRs to potential users ":  
• Translating the "Guide  to Assessing Conditions and Impacts of Geographical Indications " 
into Albanian.  
Under Component D, "Enforcement of IPRs is strengthened ":  
• Supporting a publication on Enforcement of Copyright for judiciaries in Albanian.  
Under Component E, "Awareness of Knowledge and Technology Transfer (KTT) and IPR 
commercialization as part of innovation process is increased ":  
• Activities under this component are presently under discussion and in the process of 
being planned.  
2.2  China  
11.  During the reporting period, a group o f research directors from Chinese universities participated 
in a workshop on patents and innovation at the IPI, as part of a training programme organised by 
the University of Applied Sciences and Arts North -western  Switzerland.  
2.3  Colombia  
12.  The Colombian –Swiss Intellectual Property Project (COLIPRI) – Phase 2 started in October 2019 
and will run until 30 September 2023. The overall goal of the project is "to contribute in such a way 
that entrepreneurs, creators, researchers and producers in Colombia benefit from an improved 
intellectual property system ". COLIPRI Phase 2 's two main institutional partners and beneficiaries 
are the Delegatura de Propiedad Industrial at the Superintendencia de Industria y Comercio (SIC) 
and the Dirección Nacional de Derec ho de Autor (DNDA). The COLIPRI Phase 2 project is a project 
under GPIPR. The following activities were undertaken within the reporting period:  
Under Component A, "The national IP Policy has been updated, is being implemented and enforced 
according to its action plan ":  
• Mandating a written consultancy for updating the outdated (2008) National IP Strategy: 
first draft of new National IP strategy and action plan available and consulted with 
interest groups;  
• Conducting a legal gap analysis on industrial desig n legislation and compatibility with 
the Hague system;  
• Facilitating experience -sharing among institutions with jurisdictional functions: SIC 
(industrial property), DNDA (copyright) and Instituto Colombiano Agropecuario – ICA 
(plant varieties) in order to strengthen jurisdictional functions.  
Under Component B, "IPRs registration and administration entities provide efficient and user -friendly 
services ": 
 
• Organizing a virtual training and experience -sharing between Swiss and Colombian 
patent examiners in the fields of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, genetic resources 
(Nagoya Protocol), Chemistry and Computer -implemented inventions;  IP/C/R/TC/CHE/1  
 
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  • Virtual strategic coach ing for the SIC 's Industrial Property Department (Distinctive 
Signs, New Creations, CIGEPI - Centro de Información Tecnológica y Apoyo a la Gestión 
de la Propiedad Industrial) on internal processes, effectiveness and promotion of its 
services.  
Under Compon ent C, "IPR entities, academia and private sector representatives promote acquisition, 
use and transfer of IPRs to potential users ": 
• Conducting a virtual awareness -raising seminar on Geographical Indications for the 
cocoa sector (70 participants);  
• Creating  new virtual course modules to be delivered by the Colombian Intellectual 
Property Training centre: a course on industrial design and a course on geographical 
indications.  
2.4  Ghana  
13.  The Swiss -Ghanaian Intellectual Property Project – Phase II (SGIP -II) was laun ched in January 
2016. The project 's overall goal is to contribute to Ghana 's socio -economic development by 
promoting the use and protection of intellectual property rights (IPRs). Like SGIP -I, SGIP -II is 
financed by SECO, while the IPI serves as the implem enting agency for the project.  
14.  SGIP-II has four Components. The activities undertaken under each Component during the 
reporting period are listed below:  
Under Component A, "An enabling IP environment in place and an improved service provision for IP 
users ": 
• The project delivered the following trainings to the staff of the Ghanaian Industrial 
Property Office (GHIPO):  
▪ October/November 2019: Patents  
▪ November 2019: Trademarks  
• In May 2020, a comparative analysis of several IP systems was carried out and delivere d 
to the GHIPO.  
Under Component B, "Targeting research institutions and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to 
increase the commercialisation of their IPRs ": 
• These activities have been completed.  
Under Component C, "Improving the protection and enforcement  of IPRs for higher economic 
benefits for right holders and safeguarding consumers from substandard goods ": 
• The project further developed a Public Education and Awareness strategy with the 
Ghanaian Copyright Office, though this task has not yet been comple ted; 
• A study surveying the economic impact of copyright on the Ghanaian economy was 
further developed during the year and the editing process is expected to be finalized in 
August 2020.  
Under Component D, "Increasing the legal protection of geographical indications (GIs) to better 
market traditional products for the benefit of rural and artisanal communities ": 
• Outreach to selected producers and potential trainers was conducted during the 
reporting period. It is expected that the work on GI re gistration will begin during the 
next reporting period.  
2.5  Indonesia  
15.  The second phase of the Indonesian -Swiss Intellectual Property Project (ISIP -II) is financed by 
SECO, was started in May 2017, and has a duration of four years. The overall objective of the ISIP-II 
responds to the priority of the Indonesian Government to strengthen Indonesia 's creative economy 
sector. The following is an overview of the project components including a shortlist of major activities 
that have been implemented in this reporting p eriod:  IP/C/R/TC/CHE/1  
 
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  Under Component A, Build capacities of IP -related private sector organisations on the protection and 
commercialization of IPRs and the development of Indonesia 's creative economy ": 
• A postgraduate course on Geographical Indications at the University of Padjadjaran 
(UNPAD) was established and implemented, attended by 18 self -funded participants 
from academia and the private sector. The course is now integrated into the UNPAD 
curriculum and will be repeated annually;  
• Capacity building on managing royalt ies was provided to eight Indonesian music 
Collective Management Organisations (CMOs), the national music CMO (LMKN) and the 
national literature CMO (PRCI): the CMOs found a consensus regarding a fair royalty 
collection and redistribution system and finali sed draft regulations to be submitted to 
the ministry;  
• A training was provided for the coordinating body of all IP centres at 120 Indonesian 
universities (ASKII) as well as for the Innovation Promotion Association (INNOPA) on IP 
and Commercialisation of IP . The IPR s module developed was actively used and 
distributed to all IP and technology transfers centres at Indonesian universities (Sentra 
KI), and cooperation with the WIPO was initiated;  
• An IP training course was conducted for the Polytechnic Institutes of Indonesia (50 
participants) to familiarize the institutes with the importance of IP protection and build 
capacities on IP commercialization.  
Under Component B, ": Technical and capacity -building assistance to the DGIP to better serve 
intellec tual property rights (IPRs) users ": 
• A patent examiner course on biotechnology patents was conducted by an IPI expert for 
the patent division of the DGIP (changed to a virtual course due to COVID -19). 
Under Component C, "Strategic support for Indonesian Geo graphical Indications (GIs) to sustainably 
increase their economic value and reinforce the capacity of the GI producers association ": 
• The Amed Salt (GI) Festival was conducted to open the "Amed Salt Centr e". The festival 
was attended by approx. 2000 people  (incl. high level presence and media), leading to 
direct revenues for the producers during the festival and one additional investment 
contract;  
• An online application (GI traceability system) was developed and implemented for Sikka 
Ikat (GI).  
2.6  Iran 
16.  The Iran ian-Swiss Intellectual Property Project (IRSIP) is both financed and implemented by 
the IPI. The project started in January 2020 and has a duration of four years. 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. The following is an overview of the project Components including 
a shortlist of the activities that hav e been implemented in the reporting period : 
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 ": 
• During the reporting period, thre e virtual trainings were conducted for the Iranian 
Copyright Office on the topic of Collective Management Organizations (CMOs) in which 
Swiss experiences on the topic were shared and policy advice was provided to the other 
party.  
Under Component B, "Iran's IP protection system is improved for its users ": 
• Tailor -made virtual trainings were provided by an IPI expert to the patent examiners of 
the Iranian Intellectual Property Centre (IPC) on the specific topics requested by them.  
Under Component C, "The economic value, business competitiveness, and sustainability  of registered 
Iranian GIs are recognized and demonstrated ": 
• The criteria and methodology for the selection of the two GI pilot projects were 
developed by a Swiss and an Irani an expert.  IP/C/R/TC/CHE/1  
 
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  • In a high -level virtual meeting consisting of the Iranian IPC, Ministry of Agriculture, 
Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism, Ministry of Cooperatives and 
Labour as well as the experts and the project team, the project approac h and its 
selection methodology were introduced.  
• A questionnaire was developed by the project experts and sent to the GI producers 
associations as a means of collecting secondary data while traveling restrictions are in 
place. The data was collected on -site by the national consultant, with coaching provided 
by the Swiss expert.  
2.7  Myanmar  
17.  The Myanmar -Swiss Intellectual Property Project (MYSIPP) is a project under GPIPR, started in 
January 2020 and has a duration of three years until December 2022. The overall  objective of the 
MYSIPP is to contribute to the establishment of an IP system in Myanmar, which is an essential 
component to create favourable conditions for sustainable trade. The following is an overview of the 
project components including a shortlist o f activities that have been implemented in the reporting 
period:  
Under Component A, "Legal Support to the Intellectual Property Department/Office ": 
• The implementing regulations on Industrial Design as well as Trademarks have been 
commented on by IPI experts.  
Under Component B, "Office Management Support to the Intellectual Property Department/Office ": 
• Discussions with stakeholders are being held and activities under this component are 
being planned.  
Under Component C, "Strengthening IP Education at Ya ngon University " the activities will start in 
the next reporting period.  
Under Component D, "Awareness on Geographical Indications in the coffee sector ": 
• A virtual training on the use of Geographical Indications in the coffee sector has been 
conducted for 15 members of the Myanmar Coffee Association.  
2.8  Peru  
18.  The Peruvian -Swiss Intellectual Property Project (PESIPRO) is a project under GPIPR, started in 
June 2019 and has a duration of 2,5 years until December 2022. The overall objective of the PESIPRO 
is to str engthen the use of selected IPRs in Peru in order to contribute to higher competitiveness, 
enable further added value of Peruvian products, and to have an overall positive impact on Peruvian 
economic development. The following is an overview of the project  components including thereunder 
a shortlist of activities that have been implemented in the reporting period:  
Under Component A, "Building the capacity of the Peruvian IP Office Indecopi, producers of GI 
products, as well as trade and export institutions to improve the valuation of Peruvian GI products ": 
• A virtual training has been conducted for 125 participants from institutions and 
organisations in the Peruvian coffee business on how to maximise IP tools for coffee 
(with a focus on Geographical Indications);  
• A delegation of the Indecopi was received in Switzerland and trained on different aspects 
of Geographical Indications, including participation in the Advanced InterGI Seminar, a 
module with WIPO, and sessions at the IPI;  
• The new Peruvian regulation on Geographical Indications was commented on by 
IPI experts.  
Under Component B, "Raising the awareness of creative economy associations and related 
government agencies on the use and benefits of copyright protection ": 
• A series of short videos (tutorials) was developed for creators and associations of 
several creative industry sectors.  IP/C/R/TC/CHE/1  
 
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  Under Component C, "Providing advice to Peruvian SMEs, increasing their awareness of the use of 
patent protection, and increasing the number of patent appl ications from the private sector ": 
• The existing outreach programmes of the Indecopi that are used to familiarize the 
private sector with patents were analysed and commented on by IPI experts. 
Recommendations on how to improve outreach programmes were deliv ered. 
2.9  Serbia  
19.  The second phase of the Serbian -Swiss Intellectual Property Project (SSIP II) financed by SECO 
was launched in July 2017. The project aims at strengthening the use of intellectual property rights 
in Serbia. This is in order to contribute to th e achievement of higher competitiveness, to increase 
the added -value of Serbian products, and to positively impact on Serbia 's economic development.  
20.  The protection of GIs is of particular interest to the Government of Serbia.  
21.  Selected  areas of cooperation include:  
• Increasing the demand of IP users to protect and capitalise on their IPRs;  
• Improving the legal and institutional framework as well as the enforcement of GIs, in 
order to facilitate the economic and social benefits of producers and consumers;  
• Strengthening capacities for the market valorisation of GI products to better market 
traditional products for the benefit of rural and artisanal communities.  
22.  The following activities were undertaken during the reporting period:  
Under Component A, "Improved GI legal and institutional framework to facilitate the economic and 
social benefits of GI producers and consumers ": 
• A module on certification of geographical indications was created by the project. 
140 people who participated i n the first year of the certification academy were trained 
online in improving the practice and policy of GI governance and quality control. A 
comprehensive analysis on the status and potential of non -agricultural GIs including a 
legal and institutional ca pacity assessment was conducted; an inventory scan of the 
most potential products and their SWOT was concluded;  
• The guidelines for the implementation of the flexibility rules targeting food business 
operators, inspections and other small traditional produ cers of milk and dairy were 
drafted.  
Under Component B, "Strengthened capacities for market valorisation of GI products ": 
• A number  of promotion activities, trade fairs and social media marketing campaigns for 
a dozen Serbian Geographical Indications took p lace.  
• With the support  of the project, Ori ginal Serbian Association of GI producers has:  
o developed a new marketing and communication strategy;  
o started online sales and a marketing campaign;  
o communicates through social networks – Instagram and Facebook;  
o started an online shop on the website;  
o started a home delivery logistical network during the COVID -19 crisis;  
o developed a new packaging design.  
Under Component C, "The demand of key IP users to protect and capitalise on their IPRs is 
increased ": 
• Multimedia  testimonials by Serbian SMEs on their IP strategy were prepared in order to 
raise awareness among the local companies on the use of IP.  
2.10  South Africa  
23.  The Swiss -South African Intellectual Property Project (SSAIP) is a project under GPIPR. The 
project will have a duration of four years (2020 -2023). The project 's overall objective is to contribute 
to South Africa 's socio -economic development through promot ing the use and protection of 
intellectual property rights (IPRs).  IP/C/R/TC/CHE/1  
 
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  24.  Four outcomes will contribute towards achieving the projects ' overall objective:  
• National IP Policy is strengthened through consultations and workshops and sui generis  
Geographical Indications (GI) system developed;  
• IPRs registration and administration entities provide efficient and user -friendly services;  
• SMME -supporting agencies and IPR entities promote protection and use of IPRs to 
potential users of IPRs; and  
• Increased commercialisation of IPRs as part of the innovation process.  
25.  The SSAIP has only recently been agreed upon by all parties, therefore no project activities 
have taken p lace during the reporting period. The Project Agreement has been signed and the local 
partner identified. The start of implementation of activities is planned for October 2020.  
2.11  Response to COVID -19 in Technical Cooperation Projects  
26.  Switzerland was likewis e impacted by COVID -19 and stricter measures were imposed from the 
middle of March 2020 to stagnate transmission rates, whereby non -essential shops were closed and 
public gatherings were limited. Notably, international travel to and from Switzerland also b ecame 
subject to carefully -assessed restrictions. These measures have been eased progressively by taking 
into account the number of infections in the country and by closely monitoring the global situation.  
27.  During this time, the IPI and SECO responded swift ly and communicated at all points with its 
partner countries to establish the situations in their respective countries, to reassess activities, and 
to efficiently come up with solutions to ensure the continuation and progress of the projects.  
28.  As part of th ese undertakings, many trainings and other capacity development activities were 
carried out virtually across a range of formats and online platforms. These activities were successful 
and positive feedback was received. Activities were tailored to take into  account the nature of task, 
such as the degree of work outside of the usual office space, internet connection and related IT tools 
available, and language requirements.  
29.  No project had to be suspended nor were any activities unnecessarily impeded as a res ult of 
the continued and effective exchange between project partners.  
30.  Moreover, the challenges presented by COVID -19 allowed for innovative solutions to be found 
and communication between partners to be strengthened in a joint endeavour to move forward.  
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