ArisePlusIPR

ARISE+ IPR is organising a regional workshop on IPR enforcement for enforcement authorities of the ASEAN member states. The workshop aims to contribute to advancing enforcement initiatives under the ASEAN IPR Action Plan 2016-2025, supporting the ASEAN Network of IPR Enforcement Experts (ANIEE) and promoting the fight against counterfeit goods in the region. The workshop participants include law enforcement officials, customs officials, prosecutors, and judges from all ASEAN member states and ANIEE focal points.

In the ASEAN region, many micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) are not fully aware of the benefits of intellectual property (IP) protection and the importance of protecting their IP rights nationally and regionally. Therefore, in 2022, ARISE+ IPR created an online guidebook on regional intellectual property management to raise awareness among these businesses and provide useful and practical information on IP protection, as well as other IP-related issues.

The ‘3rd ASEAN Trade Mark Convergence Network Meeting’ and the ‘3rd ASEAN Design Convergence Network Meeting’ will take place on 8-9 and 10-11 March 2022, respectively. The meetings aim to increase the convergence of practices among the ASEAN IP offices in the examination of trade marks and industrial designs. The enhanced convergence is expected to lead to improved trade mark and industrial design services in the region and more predictable decisions in examination results.

From May 2021 to March 2022, ARISE+ IPR will provide technical and administrative assistance to the ASEAN IP offices to support them in updating the ASEAN Common Guidelines on the Examination and Registration of Industrial Designs (‘the Guidelines’) and in establishing an updating mechanism to organise procedures and principles for the ASEAN IP offices to regularly revise and upgrade the Guidelines.

ARISE+ IPR organised a 2-day online workshop to exchange best practices, among ASEAN IP offices, on business operation and management, especially in streamlining business operation and teleworking mechanisms. The workshop was held on 14 and 15 December 2021. It featured:

On 7 and 9 December 2021, ARISE+ IPR hosted the ‘Training for the ASEAN IP Academy’. The intention was to develop the skills of ASEAN IP Academy trainers in delivering IP-related training. The course included soft skills and designing courses and modules.

ARISE+ IPR carried out a ‘Study on the role and involvement of women in the community-based industries related to IPR in ASEAN’. As a follow up, ARISE+ IPR organised a ‘Workshop on IP for Women Entrepreneurs’ on 30 November and 2 December 2021. The idea was to encourage further discussions on female entrepreneurship and gender disparity in the ASEAN region and the place of female entrepreneurs in several sectors, such as community-based industries and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

When the ECAP III project finished in February 2017, it handed over responsibility for maintaining and updating the ASEAN regional databases and servers to the ASEAN IP offices. Since technical assistance is necessary to maintain and update these databases, ARISE+ IPR supports ASEAN IT staff in troubleshooting issues and finding sustainable solutions. Remote technical support is provided to ASEAN IP offices and ad hoc training is available upon request.

Under the Annual Work Plan 4, ARISE+ IPR sets out to support Least Developed Countries (LCDs) in developing and registering potential geographical indications (GIs). This support can include setting up GI organisations/associations, drafting GI product specifications and drawing up control plans. Six potential GIs have already been identified for technical assistance under this Activity. ARISE+ IPR, with the help of an expert team, will work closely with the participating IP offices and relevant stakeholders.