IP organisations sign patent harmonisation pledge in Tokyo

Ten intellectual property organisations have formed an alliance that aims to improve and promote global patent initiatives, including harmonisation.

The Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA), the American Intellectual Property Law Association, and the Japanese Patent Attorneys Association joined seven other IP associations to sign a declaration in Tokyo yesterday, January 18.

The aim of the alliance is to create a harmonised global system which it hopes will improve and economise processes for businesses around the world.

The other organisations in the agreement are: the All-China Patent Attorneys Association, the Asian Patent Attorneys Association, the Association of Singapore Patent Attorneys, the International Federation of Intellectual Property Attorneys, the Intellectual Property Association of Thailand, the Korea Patent Attorneys Association, and the Institute of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys of Australia.

Andrea Brewster, president of CIPA, said: “CIPA will continue to work with its counterpart organisations around the world to further develop international patent systems that work well for both global and local businesses.”