IP/C/W/62 5 
 
10 February 2017  
(17-0840) Page: 1/2 
Council for Trade -Related Aspects of  
Intell ectual Property Rights  Original: English  
 
INTELLECTUAL PROPERT Y AND INNOVATION: IN CLUSIVE INNOVATION  
AND MSME  COLLABORATION  
COMMUNICATION FROM A USTRALIA, THE EUROPE AN UNION, JAPAN, SWI TZERLAND  
 AND THE UNITED  STATES  
 
The following communication, dated 8 February 2017, is circulated at the request  of the 
delegations of Australia, the European Union, Japan, Switzerland and the United States. It 
complements the communication cir culated in document IP/C/W/622.  
 
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1.  Micro, small and medium -sized enterprises (MSMEs) contribute to the globa l trading 
economy, including as entrepreneurs, start -ups, businesses, researchers and investors. These 
enterprises often form collaborative partnerships to harness greater opportunities and share 
business solutions. Examples of MSME collaboration can inclu de inter -firm partnerships, research 
and development opportunities, public -private partnerships, start -up incubators and 
entrepreneurial ventures.  
2.  The benefits of MSME collaboration include sharing of information, ideas and research to 
advance mutual objec tives such as developing a product or service. Public -private partnerships 
also enable cross -sector skills transfer and engagement. MSME employees can also undertake 
secondments or training/teaching opportunities to help facilitate knowledge transfer and 
development. These partnerships help to provide shared resources and support so that entities of 
all sizes are able to establish themselves in global value chains. This is particularly helpful for 
entities operating with additional entry barriers such as en tities owned by women and young 
people, including those operating from least developed and developing economies.  
3.  MSMEs rely on intellectual property frameworks that are able to protect expressions of new 
ideas, inventions, provide economic benefits and pr omote follow -on innovation. Transparent and 
predictable intellectual property rules assist MSMEs to engage confidently in international trade. 
Successful collaborations between entities often involve transfer, sharing and creation of 
knowledge, ideas or te chnology. Intellectual property rights provide a framework for the 
ownership, protection and use of ideas and information created throughout a partnership.   
4.  Members are invited to share national experiences and examples of inclusive innovation and 
MSME co llaboration - in particular, how intellectual property frameworks and innovation policy or 
program mes have assisted MSMEs to successfully build and maintain collaborations. The purpose 
of this information exchange is to enhance Members ' understanding of in tellectual property or 
innovation related initiatives or examples of MSME collaboration already underway that may assist 
Members considering, implementing or reviewing policies for MSME collaboration.  
Guiding questions:  
 
a. What examples can Members provide that highlight inclusive innovation and MSME 
collaboration?  IP/C/W/625   
 
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  b. What innovation policies or initiatives have Members implemented, or benefited from, which 
promote inclusive innovation and MSME collaboration?  
c. What intellectual property policies or initiatives h ave Members implemented, or benefited 
from, which promote inclusive innovation and MSME collaboration?  
Please address questions or comments on this communication to the Delegation of Australia at 
ip@dfat.gov.au .   
 
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