In the coming time, the National Office of Intellectual Property will continue to review, evaluate and classify network members according to specific criteria, thereby providing ways to recognize and encourage TISCs with outstanding achievements. more initiatives, creativity, and dynamism during operations
1. Establish a support network to promote research with the goal of “sharing – cooperation – mutual development”
The Network of Technology and Innovation Support Centers (TISC) was established under the initiative of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) since 2009 with the goals of: Supporting access and exploitation of information high-quality science and technology information and related services, exploiting innovation potential, establishing, protecting and managing intellectual property rights. TISC members can be research institutes, universities, research centers, businesses… interested in supporting research, exploitation and commercialization of technology. WIPO serves as the network’s coordinating body at the international level. National intellectual property offices act as focal points to connect and operate the network at the national level.
Statistics by the end of 2023, the global TISC network has recorded 1,583 members in 93 countries. Four regional networks have been established, including: ASEAN, Africa, Europe and Arab countries… to enhance connectivity and share information and experiences appropriate to the characteristics of each region. area.
To support the expansion of the scale and quality of TISC network operations globally and provide more and more useful services to researchers, in recent times, WIPO has implemented many initiatives. Support through 3 basic methods: (i) training and capacity building; (ii) establish and provide resources and (iii) provide connectivity tools.
(i) Training and coaching activities: are carried out with the goal of equipping in-depth knowledge and skills in different fields, thereby improving the quality and service efficiency of network members. Training topics focus on skills in writing descriptions, searching, analyzing patent information, technology transfer, valuation, commercialization of inventions… Many training tools and publications , propaganda has been built and developed by WIPO with the purpose of allowing national and regional TISC networks to choose to use.
Photo 1: Some WIPO thematic publications for the TISC network
(ii) Activities to establish and provide resources: WIPO develops many online tools to establish resources, creating the most favorable conditions for network members to exploit and apply in research, Deployed as: Patent data system and analysis tools (ASPI), data system of results, research works, scientific and technical articles (ARDI), data system “Research” “Research for Life” (Research4life) with more than 200,000 data sources in different fields; WIPO INSPIRE digital tools and platforms
Photo 2: Some of WIPO’s digital platforms supporting TISC network operations
With these digital platforms, WIPO has created a unique mechanism for combining information and knowledge in the field of intellectual property, thereby helping researchers to access information easily and effectively. effective, full range of useful information sources to serve research activities and commercialize research results, especially on patent databases, analyzing patent information, and preparing general reports on patent protection technology/Patent map to serve research orientation and policy making… In addition, WIPO has established tools dedicated to intellectual property and technology transfer, providing information , knowledge of the intellectual property policy framework covers all stages of the innovation cycle: from ideas to establishing intellectual property rights and commercializing intellectual property in the market. Through this digital platform, TISC can access WIPO’s intellectual property policy database – links to intellectual property policies and other related issues (such as policies on consulting , copyright, conflicts of interest, software, open access and derivative works…) of universities and research facilities around the world.
(iii) Activities providing connection tools: To support the connection of the global TISC network, WIPO has also developed many initiatives to enhance interaction and effectively manage the TISC network of countries. more like: eTISC digital social platform helps network members share information, experiences, and ideas during operations; The TISC network performance assessment tool (TPPM) developed and tested from 2022 allows WIPO to monitor TISC projects globally to effectively assess and respond to support needs and Build capacity of TISC network…
In addition, every year, WIPO organizes regional meetings with the participation of representatives of national TISC network members to evaluate operational results, develop development directions, exchange and share experiences. experiences and initiatives among members and establish cooperation opportunities to enhance the capacity and operational efficiency of the regional network.
Photo 3: Meeting on Strengthening the TISC Network in the ASEAN Region
organized by WIPO in Laos in March 2024
2. Experience in implementing and operating efficiency of the TISC network in some ASEAN countries
(i) Experience of the Philippines
By the end of 2023, the Philippine TISC Network has 87 members who are universities and research facilities in the public and private sectors at the Central and local levels. Among them, 70 units have issued intellectual property policies (on the basis of WIPO’s intellectual property policy framework).
To evaluate the performance of TISC network members, the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) has developed an evaluation toolkit with specific criteria, thereby classifying TISCs into 4 levels. : Titanium, Gold, Silver, Copper. This set of criteria is reviewed and edited annually to suit the actual situation and operating conditions of the national TISC network as well as WIPO’s policies and orientations. The set of criteria was agreed upon by IPOPHL and committed to compliance with all network members. In addition, IPOPHL develops and issues a network development plan for each region. The plan is reviewed, revised and supplemented every 3 years.
To ensure the sustainability of the network, the selection of members to join the network is carried out by IPOPHL according to a strict order and procedure including 2 steps:
– Step 1: Receive applications to join the network from organizations in need and evaluate membership conditions. The application file requires a Commitment from the Head of the organization, information about facilities and human resources to ensure the maintenance of operations of the unit directly performing TISC functions and a list of at least 4 candidates. Professional staff commit to working at TISC for at least 3 years.
– Step 2: Organize an interview with the Leaders and key officials of the organization registering to join the network with IPOPHL Leaders to reach consensus and ensure commitment from the leadership level.
Every year, IPOPHL organizes a Senior Leadership Conference of network members to summarize the previous year’s activities, develop plans, orient activities for the following year and share lessons learned from members. network members. At this conference, IPOPHL announced the classification results and awarded awards to recognize units with many achievements and activities contributing to the network. In addition, IPOPHL also organizes conferences for all network members to create a forum for connection and interaction to improve the network’s operational efficiency.
Photo 4: Some images of the activities of the Philippine TISC network in 2023 (Source: Presentation of the Philippine delegate at the Meeting on Strengthening the TISC Network in the ASEAN Region organized by WIPO in Laos in March 2024)
To encourage universities and research institutes to actively participate in the TISC network, IPOPHL implements many support policies for TISC members such as: providing experts for training programs, coaching and other activities. support and consulting; Reduce search and formality examination fees for patent registration applications under the Patent Cooperation System (PTC); providing consultants for technology transfer contracts; Reduce costs of substantive examination and first-year validity maintenance fees for inventions with commercial potential…
(ii) Experience of Malaysia
Malaysia prioritizes members of the national TISC network to be universities and postgraduate training institutions associated with research. Membership registration procedures are also strictly implemented through the following steps: receiving and reviewing applications, organizing interviews and signing a memorandum of understanding. The parties commit to implement and strictly comply with the agreement contents in the memorandum of understanding. Adjustments to the memorandum of understanding are only made when force majeure conditions appear according to the original agreement of the parties.
To encourage TISC network members, the Malaysian Intellectual Property Office (MyIPO) implements many support initiatives such as: Patent registration support fund, intellectual property market development platform, program Research institute – business cooperation…
Photo 5: Some images of activities to support Malaysia’s TISC network in 2023 (Source: Presentation of the Philippine delegate at the Meeting on Strengthening the TISC Network in the ASEAN Region organized by WIPO in Laos in March/ 2024)
In addition, MyIPO has built a cooperation program with the Indonesian Intellectual Property Agency to promote the development of the TISC network, including: deploying online training courses and through digital platforms; Implement pilot projects to shorten the appraisal time for a number of intellectual property objects of the two countries; Provide access to digital platforms for market development and commercialization of intellectual property of the two countries.
3. Develop the TISC network in Vietnam towards sustainable development goals
Vietnam has joined the global TISC network since 2010, initially with only 3 member units. By the end of 2023, the TISC Vietnam network has recorded 51 member units including universities, research institutes in the public and private sectors and businesses with research and development activities. The Center for Research, Training, Support and Consulting under the National Office of Intellectual Property is currently assigned the function of being the focal point for implementing activities related to the Vietnam TISC Network. In recent times, the work of expanding and developing both the scale and quality of network operations has always been promoted by the Intellectual Property Department. By promoting communication work and other forms of connection, in 2023 alone, the network has received 05 new members who are major universities and research facilities across the country.
Photo 6: Overview of the number of TISC Vietnam network members
In 2024, the theme launched by WIPO to celebrate World Intellectual Property Day (April 26) is “Intellectual Property and Sustainable Development Goals: Building a shared future through innovation and creativity” . It can be seen that intellectual property is increasingly demonstrating its role as an important catalyst for innovation, a tool to protect the rights of creative subjects and encourage a healthy competitive environment. Through mechanisms to ensure monopoly on the principle of balance of interests, the intellectual property system encourages research and creation of advanced technologies to ensure sustainable development goals. Intellectual property, technology transfer and innovation are fields that always exist side by side, are the driving force for mutual development, and have been having an increasingly clear influence on tasks, solutions to implement the United Nations’ sustainable development goals.
Grasping that spirit, the National Office of Intellectual Property advocates focusing on supporting and promoting the improvement of efficiency and quality of TISC network operations to create an important driving force to contribute to the development of the national intellectual property system. We aim to build a shared future through innovation and creativity.
Applying WIPO’s support framework, activities supporting the operation of the Vietnam TISC network will continue to be carried out through 3 main areas of activity, including:
(i) Training and coaching on intellectual property knowledge and skills
Based on the assessment and synthesis of the needs of the units, the National Office of Intellectual Property organizes or appoints officials and experts to report to in-depth training courses on intellectual property to improve skills. Ability to look up and analyze patent information, write patent descriptions, value and commercialize intellectual property formed from research results.
In addition, the National Office of Intellectual Property actively monitors and searches for training programs and seminars organized by international agencies and units to introduce and propose TISC representatives. Participate and learn.
The National Office of Intellectual Property is coordinating with WIPO to research and implement a Certificate program for Vietnamese TISC staff to improve professionalism and encourage staff with sufficient expertise and experience to stick with them for a long time. , contributing more to network development.
(ii) Provide tools and resources to support TISC’s operations
The Department established a dedicated section for TISC network members on the Department’s electronic information portal to disseminate and update domestic and international information related to the network and share publications, Specialized documents and data help network members easily look up and use.
In the coming time, the National Office of Intellectual Property will research and implement a number of direct support policies for network members such as: providing consultants to develop the unit’s Intellectual Property Policy, Providing consultants to write invention descriptions, shortening the appraisal time for TISC’s patent applications, providing information to serve the preparation of Technology Development Trend Assessment Reports, and Technical Development Trend Assessment Reports. inventions…
(iii) Enhance connection and interaction between network members
In the coming time, the National Office of Intellectual Property will continue to review, evaluate and classify network members according to specific criteria, thereby providing ways to recognize and encourage TISCs with outstanding achievements. more initiatives, creativity, and dynamism during operations. The use of social networking platforms to connect more closely with TISC’s focal officers is being implemented effectively by the Intellectual Property Office. Organizing events and forums (leadership and technical levels) so that TISCs can meet, interact, share experiences and seek cooperation opportunities is one of the activities that will be focused on increasing. enhanced implementation in the near future.
Center for Research, Training and Support, Consulting