IP/C/W/642  
 
25 May 2018  
(18-3138) Page: 1/2 
Council for Trade -Related Aspects of  
Intellectual Property Rights  Original: English  
 
 
INTELL ECTUAL PROPERTY AND INNOVATION:  
THE SOCIETAL VALUE O F IP IN THE NEW ECONOMY  - IP IMPROVING LIVES  
COMMUNICATION FROM AUSTRALIA ; CANADA ; EUROPEAN UNION; JAPA N; REPUBLIC OF KOREA ; 
SWITZERLAND; THE SEP ARATE CUSTOMS TERRIT ORY OF TAIWAN, PENGH U, KINMEN AND 
MATSU; AND THE UNITED STATES OF AME RICA 
 
The following communication, dated 2 4 May 2018, is circulated at the request of the delegations of  
Australia,  Canada;  European Union; Japan; Republic o f Korea; Switzerland; the Separate Customs 
Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen a nd Matsu; and the United States of America.  
 
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1.  The intellectual property system is an integral element of p olicy frameworks that support 
innovation. Intellectual property frameworks promote and protect the expression of new ideas and 
inventions, incentivise and foster ingenuity and follow -on innovation worldwide, and enable cross -
border collaboration, trade and  engagement in global value chains.  
2.  In supporting and incentivising innovation, intellectual property frameworks make a significant 
contribution to improving lives through social and economic growth and advancement, including in 
sectors such as education and training, creative works, health, the environment and transport. For 
example:  
 In the education and training sector, students enjoy learning from a wide range of 
intellectual property rich materials, including innovative research, books and documentarie s, 
which foster their ability to make social and economic contributions to society. Intellectual 
property also supports technological developments including in new methods and tools of 
learning, such as enhancing interactive learning experiences through di gital classrooms and 
virtual sessions that use apps, software, tablets and computers.  
 Intellectual property and innovation play an important role in the creative sector, through 
the promotion and protection of artistic expression as well as encouraging new  and 
innovative content delivery services. This can increase employment opportunities, create 
new value chains and enrich the lives of those enjoying these materials.  
 New technology is changing transportation, delivery and monitoring. Self -driving cars an d 
buses are in use or in trial stage. Businesses are now using drones to deliver goods, 
including medicines to remote areas, and to monitor crops, animals or the impact of 
significant weather events. These innovations help to save time and money, and impro ve 
health, safety and protection. Innovation in technologies is also driving sustainability. For 
example, new solutions for addressing water scarcity and increasing crop productivity are 
helping to address global challenges.  
3.  As part of the 2018 theme, Intellectual Property and Innovation – The Societal Value of 
Intellectual Property in the New Economy , Members are invited to share national and regional 
experiences on the role of intellectual property and innovation frameworks in improving lives at 
the June  2018 meeting of the WTO TRIPS Council.  IP/C/W/642  
 
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  Guiding questions  
 
a. What are examples of inventions or creations that have benefited or improved lives that 
have been made possible by intellectual property systems ? What roles have intellectual 
property frameworks played in creating incentives in these areas?  
b. Do Members  have any research or studies to share regarding how intellectual property 
and innovation frameworks have improved lives?  
c. How has international cooperation in the area of intellectual property and trade in 
innovative goods and services contributed to improving quality of life?  
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