WIPO patent information services for developing countries ?
WIPO runs an extensive programme of assistance to developing countries. One aspect of this work is their Patent Information Services (WPIS), started in 1975, and described here. WPIS provides a conduit for channeling search requests from a wide range of developing countries to the Industrial Property Offices of those developed countries who have agreed to assist in providing these searches. About 16 developed countries contribute significantly. The searches are free to those requesting them. For some search requests, e.g. those from ARIPO, examination is also carried out. Much statistical information is included on the over 14,000 requests received up to the end of 2000. For example, 92 developing countries have filed these requests, over 53,000 free patent copies have been supplied with the resulting search reports. Most requests are for searches to assist in establishing or checking patentability, and relate to subject matter within sections A, B, and C of the IPC. In the early 1990s, the main source of requests was the Asia and Pacific; more recently it has been Latin America in the forefront. Detailed statistics on the WPIS search request activities of individual countries over the last nine years is provided in Appendix A.
wipo developing countries developing countries search requests patent copies patentability searches developed countries free searches