WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONIP/C/W/203/Add.4
21 September 2000
(00-3772 )
Council for Trade-Related Aspects
of Intellectual Property RightsOriginal:  English/
Spanish1
TECHNICAL COOPERATION ACTIVITIES:  INFORMATION
FROM DEVELOPED COUNTRY MEMBERS
EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES AND THEIR MEMBER STATES
Addendum
The present document reproduces the updated information on the technical cooperation
activities relevant to the implementation of the TRIPS Agreement of the European Communities and
of Austria, Finland, Germany, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.
Information on technical and financial cooperation activities of other member States of the
European Communities will be distributed as supplements to this document.
_______________
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
EUROPEAN CO MMUNITIES ........................................................................................................... .2
I.  CHINA...................................................................................................................... ............. 2
II.  CENTRAL AND EASTE RN EUROPEAN COUNTRI ES ............................................. 3
III.  ASEAN COUNTRIES....................................................................................................... 5
IV.  VI ET NAM .................................................................................................................. .......6
V.  COMMONWEALTH OF  INDEPENDENT  STA TES .................................................... 7
VI.  INDIAN SU B-CONTINENT ............................................................................................ 9
VII.  LATI N AMER ICA .......................................................................................................... 9
AUSTR IA........................................................................................................................ ...................... 11
FINL AND ........................................................................................................................ ..................... 13
GERMANY ........................................................................................................................ .................. 15
SPAIN .......................................................................................................................... ........................ 23
SWEDEN ......................................................................................................................... ..................... 29
UNITED KI NGDOM................................................................................................................. .......... 30
                                                     
1 English except for the information on Spain's activities in Spanish.IP/C/W/203/Add.4
Page 2
EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
I. EU - CHINA INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS CO-OPERATION
PROGRAMME
1. Duration
The first phase of the programme ran from 1992 to 1994 covering patents and trademarks.
The second phase of the programme covers not only patents and trademarks, but widens the scope of
cooperation to include copyright, enforcement, educ ation and awareness issues.  The horizontal part
of the programme was launched in May 1999 and will last until December 2001.  Three sectoral
programmes on patents, trademarks and geographical indications, and copyright and related rights
will be launched in due course.
2. General objectives of the programme
The main objective of the second programme is to support the efforts of the Chinese
Government to develop a modern, effective system of IPR protection to international standards by:
- assisting China in the adoption of legislation and implementing regulations in all IPR
fields to comply with international standards, notably the WTO TRIPS Agreement.
- creating an effective public administration of IPR and mechanisms for their effective
protection, notably with regard to the procedures for the granting of IPR as well as tothe enforcement of these rights.
3. Description of the programme
The programme envisages actions in three areas:
(a) Support to IPR institutions:
Technical assistance and training will be provided to:
- State Intellectual Property Office - to complement co-operation with the EPO;- Chinese Trademark Office - to improve transparency of procedures;- National Copyright Administration of China - to support institutional growth;- various other governmental and non-governmental institutions involved in intellectual
property rights.
(b) Support to enforcement authorities:
Administrative as well as judicial routes exist for resolving IPR disputes in China Technical
assistance will be provided to:
- training for judges, prosecutors and lawyers;- administrative agencies, IP and economic tribunals via workshops and the
establishment of a nationwide information network;IP/C/W/203/Add.4
Page 3
- customs authorities assisting enforcement at borders.
(c) Horizontal measures:
- training opportunities would also be offered to IPR agents and attorneys;
- specific actions would encourage and improve IPR teaching in universities;- analysis of changes required to implement the TRIPS Agreement would be a priority;- actions aimed at increasing public aw areness of IPR issues are foreseen.
II. CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES
The programme for the modernization of the intellectual and industrial property in the Central
and Eastern European countries (known as the PHARE countries) is drawn up as a regional
programme.  It covers all PHARE countries (which are currently:  Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina,
Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Hungary,Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, the Slovak Republic, and Slovenia).  The programme consists of
two separate technical assistance programmes:  the Regional Industrial Property Programme (RIPP)
and the horizontal programme(s) on intellectual property.
1. Regional Industrial Property Programme (RIPP)
(a) Duration
The first phase of the programme started in 1992 and has subsequently been extended twice.
Certain activities of RIPP-III (notably the ones related to the Common Software project and certain
training courses) will be finalized in 2000.  Under RIPP-IV, the activities of the previous programmescontinue until 2001.
(b) General objectives of the programme
- Improve patent and trademark protection;
- raise the quality of industrial property protection to a level similar to that in the
European Union;
- facilitate the accession of countries in Central and Eastern Europe to the main
international conventions on industrial property including the European Patent
Convention;
- improve existing national institutions responsible for industrial property systems and
help create the relevant institutions in countries, where no appropriate framework yet
exists;
- promote regional cooperation between the partner countries in the field of industrial
property.IP/C/W/203/Add.4
Page 4
(c) Description of the programme
The specific objectives of the programme can be summed up in three major points:
Training:
Training courses and seminars for staff of national authorities and patent professionals
(judges, attorneys and other specialists).
Information technology:
Development and maintenance of software to administer patent and trademark procedures
(Common Software).
Documentation, patent information, inter-office cooperation, technical assistance:
- Modernization of documentation centres so as to permit novelty searches at minimum
cost in particular by supplementing paper systems with CD-ROMs and on-line access
to commercial databases.
- Promotion of awareness of industrial property in the region through international
symposia and the publication of patent specifications and trade marks on CD-ROM.
- Development of regional co-operation through an exchange programme involving the
offices in the region.
- Technical assistance on project specification, tendering, implementation, legal and
institutional advice, work programme and evaluation of results.
2. Horizontal Programmes on Intellectual Property (PHARE)
(a) Duration
The current PHARE-IV programme continues the activities undertaken under the previous
three PHARE programmes in the area of copyright and related rights.  It will last until autumn 2000.
(b) General objectives of the programme
- Facilitation of the implementation in countries in Central and Eastern Europe of a
level of protection for intellectual property (copyright and related rights,enforcement) similar to that in the European Union and to facilitate the accession of
these countries to international conventions in this area.
- Help to create and develop the cultural industry so as to encourage national and
foreign investment in this sector.
- Facilitation and guarantee of the free movement of cultural works and performances
between countries in Central and Eastern Europe and the European Union.
- Enhanced legal assistance to underline the importance of the protection of
neighbouring rights, as well as the enforcement procedures.
- Creation of mechanisms for the effective protection of neighbouring rights, including
the formation and training of collecting societies.IP/C/W/203/Add.4
Page 5
- Fight against piracy.
(c) Description of the programme
The Programme has the following components:
Legal assistance and training:
The legal assistance and training provided continues to aim at improving the legislation in the
field of intellectual property, e.g. on author rights and related rights, and to favour the implementation
of structures permitting their application.  This component will include actions, such as:
- Missions of EU experts to the countries in Central and Eastern Europe, taking into
account the guidelines set out in Chapter 19 of the Annex to the 1995 White Paper on
the Preparation of the Associated Countries of Central and Eastern Europe for
Integration into the Internal Market of the Union.  Priority will be given to thecountries where the level of harmonization is not sufficient yet.  Missions will also be
conducted to countries where the level of harmonization has been judged as
satisfactory, albeit only to inform the legislator in these countries about the problems
of intellectual property protection, which will soon be posed by the new technologies
of the Information Society related to the digitisation of carriers.
- Training of officials on intellectual property, either directly or via Train-the-Trainers
methods.  Training of academics and judges.  With regard to the training of
academics, the programme will explore the possibilities of scholarships in institutes
in the European Union specialized in author rights.
Support to collecting societies:
This component will include actions, such as:
- Training of the management and staff of the different authors' societies will continue
to be the main form assistance to authors' societies.
- Legal assistance to enforce the application of laws.- Material support to administration societies of author rights, which may include basic
equipment, hardware and software to facilitate the distribution of collected royalties.
III. EC-ASEAN PATENTS AND TRADEMARK PROGRAMME (ECAP)
The ECAP programme aims to assist the ASEAN countries in strengthening and developing
their intellectual property rights systems.  The programme consisted of a regional as well as national
components and covered the following countries:  Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines,Singapore, Thailand and, since 1995, Viet Nam.
1. Duration
The first programme (ECAP-I) was conducted between October 1993 and June 1997.  A
second cooperation programme (ECAP-II) is to be launched in the near future and is expected to lastuntil 2004.IP/C/W/203/Add.4
Page 6
2. General objectives of the programme
- To assist in the adaptation of legal frameworks to TRIPS, in all fields of the
intellectual property protection;
- to improve the technical skills in the field of intellectual property rights in the
ASEAN region.  In addition to the upgrading of skills (institutional strengthening) in
the industrial property offices of the region, particular attention will be paid to
improving enforcement and the protection of copyrights and related rights;
- to focus on informing local industries and other local users of the benefits they may
derive from an improved patent and trademark environment with close involvement
of the European industry.
3. Description of the programme
ECAP-II aims at achieving effective results through sharing of information and experience
and by continuing a process of regional co-operation in the field of all industrial property rights.  The
regional aspects will contribute to the uniform development of intellectual property right systems inthe targeted countries and limit the amount of overlap in this highly specialised field.  Cost-sharing is
feasible through cooperation in the field of documentation, the organization of the granting procedure,
publication, etc., which also facilitates the ease with which the European industry can operate in
ASEAN.  The more specific activities include:
- preparation of modernization plans for national offices;
- building a common intellectual property database;- production of certain common publications and documents;- providing EU best practices in intellectual property rights legislation, including
accompanying rules and regulations;
- computerization of administration of pate nt granting procedures and services;
- preparation of common procedures guidelines.
IV. EU-VIET NAM INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY PROGRAMME (EURO-TAP-VIET)
1. Duration
The first programme (Euro-Tap-Viet-I) lasted from July 1996 to September 1999.  A second
programme (EURO-TAP-Viet-II) is going to be launched in the year 2000.  Viet Nam also join theregional component of the ECAP-II programme (see above III).
2. General objectives of the programme
The main objective of the programme is to strengthen Viet Nam's industrial property system
by:
- assisting in the improvement of the legal and regulatory framework;- enhancing the patent and trademark granting administration, as well as upgrading the
skills of patent agents;IP/C/W/203/Add.4
Page 7
- improving industrial property public aw areness and strengthening enforcement
systems;
- cooperation in ASEAN regional activities in the field of industrial property rights.
In addition to the above-mentioned objectives, the programme is constructed with an element
of flexibility in order to allow for particular situations, for example under the public awareness and
enforcement components, by covering other related areas of intellectual property rights.
3. Description of the programme
The specific objectives of the programme can be summarized in two major points:
- Legal framework and enforcement:  The programme aims at assisting to upgrade
the Vietnamese legislation and enforcement measures in line with the TRIPS
Agreement.
- Administration of industrial property and information services:  The current
good record of delivering patent, trademarks and designs should be maintained in
spite of the substantial increase of applications expected.  Applicants should be able
to file applications in two different places by the end of the programme.
V. COMMONWEALTH OF INDEPENDENT STATES
The European Communities established technical assistance programmes to countries of the
Commonwealth of Independent States (known as TACIS).  In the field of intellectual property rights,
two TACIS programmes have been undertaken:  one programme on copyright and related rights and
one programme on industrial property rights.
1. TACIS programmes on copyright and related rights
(a) General
The first TACIS programme on copyright and related rights covered assistance to
Kazakhstan, the Russian Federation, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.  This two-year programme ended in
November 1998 and a follow-up programme covering a ssistance to Azerbaijan, Georgia, the Russian
Federation, Ukraine and Uzbekistan running until October 2001 was established.
(b) General objectives of the programme
- Ensure that the respective IPR systems are in compliance with the provisions of the
TRIPS Agreement and the Partnership and Cooperation Agreements between the EU
and the countries concerned;
- establish an appropriate legislative environment in the field of intellectual property
protection reflecting the obligation of the countries concerned to have a level ofprotection similar to that in the EU;
- establish an appropriate administrative environment in the field of intellectual
property protection, i.e. similar to that in the EU;
- establish appropriate enforcement mechanisms in the field of intellectual property
protection, i.e. similar to that in the EU.IP/C/W/203/Add.4
Page 8
(c) Description of the programmes
The major activities to be undertaken within the scope of the programme are the following:
- conduct a review of the current system of intellectual property rights existing in the
countries concerned and to prepare a strategic plan for the future legislative,
administrative and enforcement structure;
- provide on-going assistance to various government authorities in elaborating
appropriate legislation in the field of intellectual property rights that will reflect the
obligation of the countries concerned to harmonise with the level of protectionexisting in the EU and ensure TRIPS compatibility;
- fight against piracy;- provide on-going assistance to collecting societies in establishing effective collecting
societies including the development of authors' awareness;
- develop appropriate database and CD-ROM systems for information services in the
field of intellectual property protection;
- develop a public awareness campaign concerning intellectual property protection;
- conducting training programmes, in selected regional centres, for enforcement
officers, i.e. magistrates, police officers, customs officers, etc.;
- study visits for officials to relevant EU-based organizations active in the field of
intellectual property protection;
- support for hardware and software.
2. TACIS programmes on industrial property
(a) General
In the past, two country-specific programmes have been established:  support to industrial
property protection in the Ukraine (1995 and 1996) and in Uzbekistan (1995-1997).  The general
objectives of these programmes have been to ensure a high level of industrial property protection in
the two countries thus creating the necessary ground for market economy and strengthening theadministration responsible for the intellectual property system (e.g. patent offices).  In
December 1996, a two year horizontal programme covering Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, the
Russian Federation, Tadjikistan and Turkmenistan was agreed.  A follow-up programme covering
assistance to Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, the Russian Federation, Tadjikistan and Ukraine running
for two years will be launched in due course.
(b) General objectives of the programme
- Ensure a high and common level of industri al property protection in the CIS countries
concerned;
- assistance to adjustment of regional and national legislation relating to the Eurasian
Patent Convention;IP/C/W/203/Add.4
Page 9
- assistance to adjustment of other national legislation relating to industrial property;
- setting up and development of systems protecting industrial property at a regional
level for patents (Eurasian Patent Office) and at national level for others industrial
property rights.
(c) Description of the programme
The major activities to be undertaken within the scope of the programme are the following:
- assistance to draft industrial property legislation and related rules, regulations and
guidelines;
- language courses for staff of patent offices and selected professionals;- advice and assistance for the Eurasian Patent Office;
- technical assistance, training, documentation, drafting of legislation, publication of
the patents on CD-ROM, administration of the procedure based on the common
software developed under the PHARE regional industrial property protection
programmes;
- development of national facilities on industrial property including technical
assistance, regional and local training, computerization of the administrative and
financial management of the proceedings;
- promote and develop the means for disseminating patent information using modern
technology, and promote the use of the industrial property system to potential users in
industry, commerce and academic institutions;
- assistance to improve enforcement of intellectual property rights.
VI. INDIAN SUB-CONTINENT
1. India
Under the EU-South-Asia Intellectual Prop erty Right Cooperation Project, a five-year
programme to assist India in its efforts to improve the protection of intellectual property rights was
agreed.  The programme focuses on industrial property rights and the first activities will be launched
in due course.
2. Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka
Under the EU-South-Asia Intellectual Prop erty Right Cooperation Project, a five-year
programme to assist Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka in their efforts to improve the protection of
intellectual property rights was agreed.  The programme focuses on industrial property rights and the
first activities will be launched in due course.IP/C/W/203/Add.4
Page 10
VII. LATIN AMERICA
1. Argentina
A five-year programme in the area of intellectual property rights was agreed which aims at
assisting Argentina in its efforts to improve the protection of industrial property rights.  The first
activities will be launched after the completion of the internal procedures.
2. Chile
A five-year programme in the area of intellectual property rights was agreed which aims at
assisting Chile in its efforts to improve the protection of industrial property rights.  The first activities
will be launched after the completion of the internal procedures.IP/C/W/203/Add.4
Page 11
AUSTRIA
Technical cooperation activities in the field of industrial property conducted by the Austrian
Patent Office in 1999 and the first half of 2000 are summarized below:
(1) In cooperation with WIPO
(a) WIPO - Austria - Seminars
As in the previous years the Austrian Patent Office hosted in 1999 a training course with
priority on patent-examination and patent documentation for participants from the Philippines, Saudi
Arabia, Zimbabwe, China, Ethiopia and Jamaica.  A similar seminar is scheduled for September 2000.
A seminar concerning the procedure established by the Patent Cooperation Treaty was
organized for participants of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Gambia, Ghana, India,Indonesia, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Sierra Leone, Cuba, Barbados, Mongolia, Kenya, China,
Zimbabwe, Brazil, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Trinidad, Uganda, Cameroon, Grenada, Liberia, St. Lucia,
Singapore, Viet Nam and the Republic of Korea.
A seminar concerning the industrial design law was organized for participants of Mongolia.(b) ICSEI - search report
In 1999, 98 applications have been dealt with for members participating in WIPO's ICSEI
(International Cooperation in the Search and Ex amination of Inventions) programme, namely for
Argentina, Kenya, Viet Nam, Morocco and Cambodia.   For the time being, 41 applications have been
dealt with in the current year for Kenya, Sri Lanka, Argentina and Viet Nam.
(c) Activities as PCT-International Searching and International Preliminary Examining
Authority
In 1999, the Austrian Patent Office received 974 and in 2000 until July 323 search requests.
In 1999 there have been 433 in 2000 until July 214 requests for International Preliminary
Examination.
(2) In cooperation with the European Patent Office
(a) WIPO/EPO/APO - seminar
As in 1998 and the years before the Austrian Patent Office was involved in three seminars
with international participation scheduled by the European Patent Office, dealing especially with
on-line information services.
(b) Expert missions
In cooperation with the European Patent Office experts of the Austrian Patent Office have
drawn up a study concerning the EDP-supported administration of industrial property rights for thePatent Office of Armenia.
(3) BilateralIP/C/W/203/Add.4
Page 12
Continuing its long-lasting cooperation with Chin a, the Austrian Patent Office has organized
several seminars for Chinese officials.  In September 1999 the 9th Conference of the mixed
Chinese-Austrian Working Group on Questions of Industrial Protection took place in Beijing.
On the basis of bilateral agreements training courses on different matters related to Industrial
Property Protection for officials from other patent offices were held.  In 1999 and during the first half
of 2000, participants from the offices of Viet Nam, the Philippines, Brazil, Romania, Mongolia,
Macedonia, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Poland, Bulgaria, Thailand, Slovakia, Mexico, Hungary,
Botswana, the Republic of Korea and Morocco stayed at the Austrian Patent Office.
Experts of the Austrian Patent Office carried ou t assistance at the patent office of Romania.IP/C/W/203/Add.4
Page 13
FINLAND
1. General remarks
Finland fulfils its Article 67 commitments at the multilateral and bilateral levels.  The most
extensive multilateral cooperation activities have taken place within the framework of the WIPO
training programmes for civil servants from developing and least developed member countries.
As regards bilateral cooperation, it is of a great interest for Finland to assist and support
Russia and the Baltic states to create a new and effective industrial property rights system.
2. Cooperation relating to industrial property rights
The National Board of Patents and Registration of Finland (hereinafter referred to as the
Patents Board) organizes training courses within the framework of the WIPO Training Programme.
The training courses provide information about the system of intellectual property rights in generaland especially in the Nordic countries, as well as an introduction to the organization and functions of
the Patents Board.  Participants in the training courses have come from Asia, Africa and the
Latin America.  During the years 1999 and 2000, the participants have been from Gambia and
Zambia.
The Mayor's Office of the City of St. Petersburg and the Patents Board have a mutual
cooperation agreement concerning industrial property rights.  This cooperation agreement was
concluded in the interest of further development and protection of industrial property rights and was
renewed for a further three years in January 1997.  The focus of the cooperation has been on the
education and exchange of information relating to industrial property rights, their legal protection andcommercialization.  The Patents Board has also donated IPR training material to a foundation
operating in St. Petersburg.
3. Cooperation relating to copyright and neighbouring rights
The Ministry of Education and Culture organizes as well as finances, in cooperation with
WIPO, training courses for officials from developing countries.  The participants in the courses willbe provided with an introduction to the Finnish and Nordic solutions concerning intellectual property
legislation, collective administration of rights and questions relating to enforcement.  The courses
have been arranged on an annual basis.  In the recent courses, participants have been from China,
Ghana, Zimbabwe, Sudan, India, Viet Nam, Nepal, Jamaica and St. Lucia.
These courses have been carried out jointly with several non-governmental organizations,
such as collecting societies and the Finnish Copyright Society.
4. Cooperation relating to enforcement of intellectual property rights
Over a number of years, Finland has provided training for customs and police authorities in
the Baltic region.  This has included seminars and training courses hosted by the Finnish authorities.
In February 1999, Finland organized a training  course for Estonian and Russian customs
authorities in Helsinki.  The aim was to improve the working methods of the Estonian and Russiancustoms and to develop techniques for border control measures.  In June 1999, Finland in conjunction
with the European Commission and the World Cust oms Organization arranged a seminar in Helsinki
for the Estonian authorities about the identification of counterfeit products.IP/C/W/203/Add.4
Page 14
Also in 2000, Finland hosted several seminars and organized them in Estonia for the customs
authorities.  These occasions have also improved the exchange of information between the Finnish
and Estonian authorities.IP/C/W/203/Add.4
Page 15
GERMANY
Technical Cooperation with Developing Countries and Countries in Transition
Under the Aegis of the Federal Ministry of Justice
A. G ERMAN PATENT AND TRADE MARK OFFICE
Measures for Technical Cooperation of the German Patent and Trade Mark Office
"Project Strengthening of the Industrial Property System in the Kingdom of Thailand"
The project started on 1 January 1997 and was actually planned to come to an end by
31 March 2000, but will now be continued until the end of 2001.  The project is funded by the Agency
for Technical Cooperation, GTZ (Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit GmbH ).
The objective of the project is to strengthen the industrial property system in Thailand.  The
Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) is meant to become well positioned to meet the demandsmade on a modern patent and trademark office, in quality and quantity, now that industrial property
protection has been gaining importance in the countries of Eastern Asia, in particular.  At the same
time, the Thai industry's awareness of the significance of intellectual property and industrial property
protection is to be enhanced.
The German Patent and Trade Mark Office provides assistance to the DIP in all fields of
industrial property (patents, trademarks, utility models, industrial designs,
information/documentation/DEPATIS as well as the planning/organization and the exploitation of
copyright).  The training in the respective technical fields is, on the one hand, divided into units of
two to three weeks in Munich where experts of the German Patent and Trade Mark Office providetheoretical and practical training to staff members of the Thai office on the other hand, staff members
of the German Patent and Trade Mark Office also travel to Thailand to gain knowledge on the
situation in Thailand and give concrete support on the spot.
In 1999, training measures for partner experts were continued in Germany on the following
topics, "Utility Models (Registration and Administration)", "Overall Examination Procedures in the
Fields of Physics, Mechanics, Electronics, Biotechnology and Chemistry' as well as "ExaminationProcedures for Trade Marks and Service Marks Considering Current Thai Cases", completing the
training of the previous years.
It is worth noting that a growing number of experts from the German Patent and Trade Mark
Office, the Federal Patent Court and the collecting societies as well as patent attorneys have been onmissions in Thailand.  Short-term missions of German exports started as early as in January on
"Suggestions and Guidelines for Drafting Utility Model Ministerial Regulations", followed by
training on "Information Services", "Profile of the Patent Attorney Profession", Drafting a Law on
Collective Administration of Copyright and Neighbouring Rights", "Consultancy on Management of
Patent & Trademark Division" and Wee & Madrid Agreement.  These measures were terminated bylectures of the President of the Federal Patent Court and of the President of the German Patent and
Trade Mark Office at the International Symposium on Exchange of View related to IP Cases,
organized on the occasion of the bienni um of the IP & IT Court in Bangkok.
In 2000, measures will once again focus on training  on the spot.  During a one-week stay of a
German expert, numerous lectures and discussions were organized relating to the establishment of
collecting societies and their State supervision.  The insight into the German system of collective
administration of copyright, which is currently of interest because of the intended revision of ThaiIP/C/W/203/Add.4
Page 16
laws, was enhanced on the occasion of a VE of DIP c opyright officers at the German Patent and Trade
Mark Office and at collecting societies in Munich.
Another short-term measure in Thailand wa s held on "Software-Related Inventions".
Furthermore, measures relating to the evaluation of IP information services in Thailand and on patentexamination in the field of biotechnology are scheduled to take place until the end of 2000.
Project "Modernization of the Industrial Property System in Turkey"
The project, started in 1996 and funded by GTZ,  was planned to last four years and was
completed in the year 2000.  Cooperation between the Turkish Patent Institute (TPE) and the German
Patent and Trade Mark Offices is planned to focus on modernizing industrial property protection.
In 1999, a total of six groups received training at the GPTO on the topics "DEPATIS Patent
Information System", "Legal Division" and Trade Mark Examination" (two two-weeks courses),
"Information Services" and "PCT Receiving Office".
As in the case of Thailand, short-term missions were enhanced at the Turkish Patent Institute.
Lectures and courses were held on the subjects "Library", "Use of CD-ROM", "Workshop Service
Divisions", "Law on Employees' Inventions", "G eneral Administration", "Protocol on the Madrid
Agreement on the Registration of Marks" and "Trade Mark Examination in Practice".  Furthermore,
the Head of the Patent Department of the attended the 1nternational Conference on Industrial PropertyProtection in Turkey and the World at 5
th year of Turkish Patent Institute".
In the year 2000, training measures have again been intensified.  Many groups of the Turkish
Patent Institute were trained in Munich in the fields of "Publication system", "Administration",
"Information Services/Information Centres" and "Procedures after the Registration of Trade Marks,Opposition and Cancellation Procedures, Objections".  Furthermore a high-ranking delegation
comprising the two Vice-Presidents of the Institute, a representative of the competent Turkish
Ministry and of the Management Board visited the German Patent and Trade Mark Office.
In Turkey, two patent attorneys each held six workshops in total.  Likewise training courses
on the spot were given by experts of the German Patent and Trade Mark Office on "Trade Marks",
"Establishing an IP Library", "Examination of Pharmaceutical Substances", "ManpowerDevelopment" and "Financial Administration, Supply, Equipment Administration".  Two German
experts attended the conference "Industrial Property Rights" held in Istanbul.
Project "Strengthening of Industrial Property Rights in the Republic of Croatia"
The project started in 1997 and will be completed, after an extension phase, at the end of
July 2000.  The project aims at supporting the Republic of Croatia in drawing up legislation in the
field of patent and copyright law.  The substance of counselling has included, in particular,
examination of the draft laws and, in addition, training in the field of patent examination and
organization of information services.
In 1999, four enhanced training measures were carried out at the German Patent and Trade
Mark Office.  They dealt with "Documents and Data Flow concerning Industrial Property Granting
Procedure", "The Collective Administration and the Supervision of Copyright Collecting Societies",
"Full Examination Procedure of Several Cases of Patent Applications" and "Cancellation Procedure inthe Field of Trademarks".  In addition, a training on "Substantive Examination of Patent Application"
and a "Trademark Symposium" were organized in Croatia.  On the occasion of the visit of the
Director and the Deputy Director of the Croatian  Office in November, a memorandum was signed on
further strengthening the cooperation of the two Offices.IP/C/W/203/Add.4
Page 17
The major aim of the entire project, i.e. counselling on Croatia's legislative reform in the field
of industrial property protection as welt, was fully reached.  The Croatian draft laws on patents,
layout-designs, trademarks, industrial designs, copyright law and collective administration of
copyright and related rights were commented by German experts and discussed on the spot.  Thus, the
laws could be adopted by the Croatian Parliament in June 1999 and entered into force inJanuary 2000.
Until July 2000, experts from the German Patent and Trade Mark Office, on one-day
missions, contributed to bringing the Croatian intellectual property system into line with the European
system.  These measures were terminated according to schedule.
Moreover, seminars were organized in Zagreb in the year 2000, where German experts gave
lectures on topical subjects such as biotechnology, trademark piracy and software patenting.  These
seminars were attended by members of the Croatian Office and representatives from trade, industry,
science and the legal profession.  Last but not least, three members of the Croatian Office stayed for
three days at the division "Information Services" of the German Patent and Trade Mark Office and
were introduced to the working method of this division.
Project "Promotion of the Patent System in the People's Republic of China"
This project, which is financed by the Reconstruction Loan Corporate on (Kreditanstalt für
Wiederaufbau – KfW), is based on a so-called Twinning Agreement between the GPTO and SIPO of
1995.  The project started in 1997;  its duration has not been fixed exactly, but it is limited by its
budget.  The objective of the project is to continue the cooperation which has been existing for more
than 15 years between the GPTO and SIPO.  There is a frequent exchange of experts of both Offices.
The lead was taken in May 1999 by a three-member delegation comprising the President and
the Head of the Information Department of the German Patent and Trade Mark Office, as well as the
President of the Chamber of Patent Attorneys.
Patent examiners of the German Office held two two-week training courses on biotechnology
and chemistry at the Chinese Office.  On the occasion of their visits o the People's Republic of China,
the President of the German Patent and Trade Mark Office (and the President of the German
Association of Patent Attorneys and Patent Agents (VPP) delivered lectures at Renmin University on"New Legal Provisions Regarding German Patent Law" and "German and American Patent Law in
Comparison".
Moreover, two Chinese delegations stayed at the German Patent and Trade Mark Office for
one day each in May and June 1999.  They gathered information on the new German Patent law, onthe DEPATIS patent information system, and on the budget, finance, and patent fee system.
Further activities took place during the second half of 1999.  The support provided to the
Chinese Office focused on measures in Munich relating mainly to the subjects "DP and Organization
of Workflow and Training of Examiners in the Fiel d of Chemistry, Genetic Engineering, Electronics
and Physics".
In 2000, the German Patent and Trade Mark Office already received the visit of a group of
Zhejian Provincial Patent Authority, gathering information on the German industrial property system.
Three groups of the Chinese Office will be expected at the end of the year.  Among others, twodelegations will perform study visits relating to "Patent Information" and "Software Protection".
Furthermore, courses will be held in China and at the German Patent and Trade Mark Office on
subjects in the field of biotechnology and software-related inventions.IP/C/W/203/Add.4
Page 18
Projects of Technical Cooperation at the Planning Stage
Macedonia and Germany have concluded an agreement for the support of the Eastern
European country in industrial property matters.  The cooperation between the German Patent and
Trade Mark Office and the Macedonian Industrial Property Protection Office will focus on bringingthe Macedonian patent system into line with European standards.  The cooperation will mainly cover
commenting of Macedonian laws by German experts, training measures in all fields of industrial
property and the organization of seminars.
Preparatory talks already took place between GTZ and representatives of the Macedonian and
the German Offices.  In September 2000, experts of the German Patent and Trade Mark Office will
proceed to an assessment of the current state of affairs and the required training in Skopje.
Project of Cooperation with the Chinese Copyright Authority
The objective of the project of cooperation with the National Copyright Administration of the
People's Republic of China (NCAC) , which was started in 1995, consists in supporting the Chinese
side in establishing copyright collecting societies.  The project was continued in April 1999 with the
visit of a Chinese ten-member delegation to Germany.  The visit was initiated by the current
preparations for a revision of the Chinese copyright law.  Within the framework of a seminar
organized by NCAC, the University of Beijing a nd UNESCO, an expert of the German Patent and
Trade Mark Office gave a lecture in Beijing on the collective administration of copyright and theState supervision of collecting societies.
Cooperation with Central and Eastern European Countries
The German Patent and Trade Mark Office has maintained numerous contacts with Central
and Eastern European countries.
In 1999, President Haugg met with the President of the Industrial Property Office of the
Czech Republic in Prague for an extensive exchange of information.  During the visits of the Polish
and the Romanian Offices, discussions focused on the present cooperation and prospects for its further
development.  In addition, the De puty Director General of the Romanian Office gathered information
on DEPATIS and the administration of the German Patent and Trade Mark Office in Munich inDecember.  Furthermore, five Latvian judges and two Russian groups visited the Office in 1999.  The
visitors from Russia gathered information on patent procedure and the German system concerning
patent attorneys and representatives, respectively.  Two Romanian patent examiners and two experts
of the Ukraine Patent Office received a one-week training each on search and examination.
Within the scope of an international study visit under the auspices of WIPO, a delegation of
the Russian Agency for Patents and Trademarks (ROSPATENT) gathered information on the German
system of collective administration of copyright in June 2000.  In July, three Bulgarian visitors
discussed protection certificates for medicinal products with experts at the German Patent and Trade
Mark Office.
Developing Countries and Other Countries
As in the previous years, particular attention was given to the technical cooperation with
developing and newly industrialized countries.  A great number of lectures and training courses were
organized for experts of other patent offices and institutions in the framework of the programme
"ecological product development" of the Federal Republic of Germany a civil servant from Nepal
received a comprehensive training on patent an trademark matters, in particular, at the German Patent
and Trade Mark Office from January to March 1999.  During a study visit organized by WIPO, a
delegation from EI Salvador discussed general administration matters, patent information andIP/C/W/203/Add.4
Page 19
trademarks with President Haugg and other high-ranking representatives of the German Patent and
Trade Mark Office in Munich.  Three Chinese delegations had talks with experts of the Office, o. a.
on the German trademark procedure and protection certificates for medicinal products.  On two
occasions, members of the Korean Industrial Property Office (KIPO) stayed in Munich in order to
gathering information on budget and trademark matters, respectively.
In the year 2000, too, members of KIPO visited the German Patent and Trade Mark Office on
several occasions.  In March, President Dr. Landfermann welcomed a delegation headed by the
Deputy Commissioner of KIPO.  Th e topics discussed covered a. o. electronic filing and the
promotion of innovation.  In view of a planned coop eration with the Invention Office of the People's
Republic of Korea, three KIPO members were interested in the experiences of the German Patent and
Trade Mark Office on the occasion of German reunification and the relations with the JenaSub-Office.  Lastly, a KIPO examiner was informed on protection certificates for medicinal products.
With a view to a planned amendment of law, a three-member de1egation from Chinese Taipei
gathered information on the German utility model system.  A trade marker also coming from Chinese
Taipei discussed questions relating to the German and the Community trademark system withexaminers of the German Office.  The President of the Peruvian IP court, too, was interested in the
German trademark examination procedure, and also in the relations between the Office and the
Federal Patent Court and the courts of general jurisdiction, respectively.
Lastly, a delegation from the Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of
China stayed at the German Patent and Trade Mark Office for an information visit.  Another
delegation from China, comprising 26 members of the Academy of Science, has announced their visit.
Furthermore, the Director of the Patent Office of the Arab States of the Gulf is expected for a visit.
He has asked for comprehensive assistance concerning training of patent examiners and concerning
the establishment of an organizational structure for his Office.
Within the framework of a workshop organized by WIPO and Carl-Duisberg-Gesellschaft,
15 experts from developing countries visited the German Patent and Trade Mark Office, gaining
insights, among others, into the patent information services.  A guided tour showed the processing of
new applications.
As every year, a two-day seminar on "Streamlining, search arid examinations results" was
organized in cooperation with the European Patent  Office.  It was attended by 20 examiners from
different African, Asian and Latin American countries.  In cooperation with WIPO, the German
Patent and Trade Mark Office is again organizing a three-week seminar for patent and trademark
experts from developing countries in 2000.  The focus will be on individual training with a patent or
trademark examiner based on current cases.  Moreover, participants will be given an insight intovarious divisions of the German Patent and Trade Mark Office.  They will also visit other institutions
and enterprises.  This year's participants are ex pected to come from Argentina, Bangladesh, China,
Cuba, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kazakhsta n, Kenya, Liberia and Viet Nam.
Within the framework of development cooperat ion with W1PO, 84 free reports on the state of
the art were again established in 1999, namely for China, Kenya and Botswana.
Exchange of Search and Examination Results
The German Patent Office made agreements with the following offices to regularly exchange
research and examination results of applications for which a priority was claimed in the respective
other country:
Belarus Patent Office
State Intellectual Property Office of the People's Republic of China (SIPO)IP/C/W/203/Add.4
Page 20
State Intellectual Property Office of the Republic of Croatia
Hungarian Patent Office
Japanese Patent Office
Russian Agency for Patents and Trademarks (ROSPATENT)
Industrial Property Office of the Slovak RepublicSlovenian Intellectual Property Office
Department of Intellectual Property in Thailand
International Exchange of Literature
Patent specifications and other publications are at present being exchanged with the following
countries outside the European Patent Organisation:
Algeria Kyrgyz Republic
Argentina Latvia
Australia Lithuania
Belarus MexicoBrazil Moldova
Bulgaria Mongolia
Canada Peru
China Philippines
Colombia PolandCroatia Romania
Cuba Russian Federation
Czech Republic Slovak Republic
Egypt Slovenia
Estonia ThailandHungary Turkey
India Ukraine
Israel United Arab Emirates
Japan United States
Kazakhstan Uzbekistan
DPR Korea Viet Nam
Republic of Korea
B. G
ERMAN FOUNDATION FOR INTERNATIONAL LEGAL COOPERATION
Advisory activities of the German Foundation for International Legal Cooperation in the field
of protection of industrial property and copyright.
Cooperation of the German Foundation with its partner states in the field of protection of
industrial property and copyright as described in last year's report was continued as follows:
Latvia
Five judges of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Latvia stayed in Munich from
4 to 8 October 1999 at the invitation of the German Foundation to study practical aspects of patent
and trademark proceedings at the Federal Patent Court.
Lithuania
The German Foundation sent a German expert to lecture at a seminar organized by the
Lithuanian Patent Office which took place in Palanga/Lithuania on 7 and 8 October 1999.  TheIP/C/W/203/Add.4
Page 21
seminar dealt with questions of product piracy.  The expert in particular presented practical cases of
infringements of industrial property rights.  Participants at the seminar were judges and officials of the
Lithuanian Patent Office.
Poland
Commissioned by the Federal Ministry of Justice, the German Foundation participated in a
twinning project with the Justice Ministry of the Republic of Poland within the Phare programme of
the European Commission.  The twinning project deal s among other things with the further training of
judges.  In this context, a seminar will be held, in Popowo (near Warsaw) on 4 and 5 October 2000,
the subject of which will be "The European Community and intellectual property - copyright and
related rights".  Another seminar is planned to take place also in Popowo on 9 and 10 November 2000on the subject of "The European Community and intellectual property - protection of industrial
property".  About 60 Polish judges are expected to participate in each seminar.
Russian Federation
The third part of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation includes provisions on copyright,
intellectual property and related rights.  The advisory activities of the German Foundation in this field
as described in last year's report have been continued.  The research centre for private law which
reports directly to the President of the Russian Federation submitted its own draft bill concerning
these rights to the German Foundation for commen t.  An expert from the German Foundation, having
written an opinion thereon, was invited by the research centre to come to Moscow in November 1999
to explain his observations and to discuss individual points with the authors of the draft.
In November 1999, judges of the Supreme Co mmercial Court of the Russian Federation
visited the Federal Patent Court in Munich.  The purpose of the visit was an exchange of experience inthe field of the protection of industrial property.  The Russian judges had discussions with judges
from the Federal Patent Court as well as with representatives of the German Patent and Trademark
Office and of the patent lawyers' association.  They also attended hearings at the Federal Patent Court.
Another visit is planned to take part in October 2000.
Early in June 2000, the patent lawyers' associa tion of St. Petersburg organized a seminar on
the subject of "European protection of industrial property and its influence on court rulings inGermany".  The President of the Federal Patent Court participated as an expert on behalf of the
German Foundation.
Cooperation with the Russian Patent and Trademark Agency (Rospatent) had temporarily
been interrupted due to some restructuring in the summer of 1999.  Meanwhile, the good relationshave been re-established.  Consultations are to continue in the form of observations on draft bills and
seminars.
Hungary
In cooperation with the Office of the Public Prosecutor General of the Republic of Hungary
and the Technical Assistance Information Exchange Office of the European Commission (TAIEX
OFFICE), the German Foundation organized a mu ltilateral conference on "Current issues of
transnational crime:  environment crime - Internet crime - trademark piracy" which was held in
Budapest from 13 to 15 April 2000.
Participants came from Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, the Czech Republic and Hungary.IP/C/W/203/Add.4
Page 22
Speakers from Germany, Austria and Hungary presented papers on trademark piracy under
the following headings:  "Criminal law protection of  fair market behaviour in Hungary", "Practical
experience in combating product piracy from the Aust rian perspective", and "Activities of the German
customs authorities in respect of seizure of counterfeit products".IP/C/W/203/Add.4
Page 23
SPAIN
Technical Cooperation Activities Undertaken During the Period
From September 1999 to August 2000
- Shipment on 8 September 1999 of computer equipment (four computers with their printers) to
the Cuban Copyright Office (CENDA);
- Visit, from 2 to 19 November 1999, to the Subdirectorate-General for Intellectual Property of
the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports  of Spain by Latin-American professionals in
the field of intellectual property.  Seven law graduates from countries of Latin America, withthe backing of official entities in their respective countries, conducted practical work relating
to the usual tasks of the Subdirectorate–General for Intellectual Property;
- Transport, in May 2000, of computer equipment donated by the Spanish management society
AISGE (Performing Artists Management Society of Spain) to the Cuban Copyright Office;
- Technical assistance by an official from the Subdirectorate-General of Intellectual Property
through participation in the following events:
- III Havana International Conference on Law and Informatics, Havana, Cuba, 23 to
25 May 2000;
- IV International Congress on Informatics in Culture, Havana, Cuba, 25 and
26 May 2000.
Notification of International Technical Cooperation Activities
July 2000
1. Spanish technical cooperation on industrial property
Spanish technical cooperation on intellectual property is conducted by the Spanish Patents
and Trademarks Office (OEPM), an independent body of the Ministry of Science and Technology.
2. Description of technical cooperation
(a) Multilateral cooperation:
(i) Cooperation with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO);
(ii) cooperation with the European Patent Office (EPO);(iii) cooperation with the Office for Harmonization in the Internal Market
(OHIM);
(iv) trilateral cooperation (OEPM-WIPO-EPO).
(b) Bilateral cooperation:
(i) Bilateral memoranda with Latin American countries;
- sending experts to Latin American offices;IP/C/W/203/Add.4
Page 24
- organization of information visits;
- exchange of patent documents and CD-ROMs with Latin American
countries.
(ii) Memoranda of understanding with specific countries.
1. Spanish technical cooperation on industrial property
(a) Spain has a long tradition of industrial property technical assistance to developing countries.
Activities have been carried on in this connection since 1982.
(b) The recipient countries are essentially the Latin American countries, with which Spain has
signed 18 bilateral memoranda.
(c) Spanish cooperation is financed from the general budget of the Spanish Patents and
Trademarks Office (OEPM), which covers the cost of cooperation personnel and otherexpenditures for various activities.
(d) Generally speaking technical assistance in the form of services (personnel training, sending
experts for specific projects, seminars, exchanges of information, etc.) is preferred to "direct"
financing, such as providing electronic office equipment.
2. Description of technical cooperation
(a) Multilateral cooperation
With regard to multilateral cooperation, Spain has been carrying out its development aid
programmes in industrial property in conjunction with three international organizations, the World
Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the European Patent Office (EPO) and the Office for
Harmonization in the Internal Market (OHIM).
(i) Cooperation with WIPO
WIPO offers an extraordinarily wide range of c ooperation activities.  Spain participates in the
following:
Specific training
The OEPM, together with WIPO, organizes two-week training courses for experts.
• In September 1999, the "Course on Legal, Administrative and Economic Aspects of
Industrial Property" was again held at the OEPM headquarters in Madrid.
• The September 1999 course involved the participation of 15 officials from as many
national intellectual property offices in Latin American countries.
This course, held annually, was started in 1982 and is one of the OEPM's oldest cooperation
activities.  It is intended to provide industrial property training for Latin American experts.  Over the
years, the seminar has helped to train 250 experts, with the participation, on some occasions, of
directors of the national intellectual property offices.IP/C/W/203/Add.4
Page 25
Information and/or training visits
At the request of WIPO, every year the OEPM receives delegations of experts of all levels
from developing countries.  The visits last one or two days and the purpose is to demonstrate the
structure or functioning of the OEPM, in terms of administrative and financial management as well as
actual operations.
• On 16 and 17 December 1999, the OEPM received a delegation from the State
Intellectual Property Office of China (SIPO) on a study visit which resulted in an
agreement to initiate discussions with a view to signing a memorandum of
understanding on bilateral cooperation between the SIPO and the OEPM.
• From 17 to 21 January 2000, the OEPM received, on a study visit, a delegation of
officials from the Council on Scientific and Technical Research (CICTE) of
Equatorial Guinea, who expressed their interest  in concluding a bilateral cooperation
agreement between the CICTE and the OEPM.
Participation in WIPO courses and seminars
In the courses and seminars organized every year by WIPO in the context of cooperation with
Latin America and the Caribbean, Spain plays an active part in sending speakers, officials from the
Office and experts in various sectors.  Mention should be made of the traditional WIPO Academy
held every two years in Geneva, to which the OEPM sends a lecturer on matters usually pertaining to
the international aspect of industrial property.
• In 1999, experts from the OEPM participated in the following courses, workshops
and seminars:
- Seminar entitled "Current and Future Situation of Technological Information
Services" in Havana (Cuba);
- workshop on trademark registrability criteria in Lima (Peru);- seminar entitled "Industrial Property and Economic Development" in Panama
City (Panama);
- seminar entitled "Inventions and Industrial Property" in Caracas (Venezuela).
• In April of this year, an OPEM official participated in two workshops on industrial
property and promotion of innovation in Bogota (Colombia) and Quito (Ecuador).
(ii) Cooperation with the European Patent Office (EPO)
These technical cooperation activities focus exclusively on patents and cooperation is
extended to the Latin American countries.
EPO-OEPM cooperation involves training activities;  technical assistance in patent
documentation and information;  promotion of the use of the system covered by the PatentCooperation Treaty (PTC) for patent formalities;  as sistance in installing, developing and using the
Internet;  and providing technical means and assistance to improve patent examination procedures.
• In 1999, an expert from the OEPM travelled to Montevideo (Uruguay) to participate
in the launching of the "Polite" project, a pilot experiment aimed at providing theIP/C/W/203/Add.4
Page 26
industrial property offices of small La tin American countries with computer
equipment;
• In July 2000, at the initiative of the OEP, the OEPM participated in the "First Latin
American meeting on the Dissemination of Patent Information" in Mexico City
(Mexico).
(iii) Cooperation with the OHIM
The OEPM's cooperation with the OHIM is intended to promote an acquaintance with
legislation and the use of the Spanish and Community systems in connection with trademarks in the
Latin American geographical area, for which purpose roving seminars are organized.  This
cooperation is also extended to third parties interested in knowing the legal and administrativemeasures in force in the EU and Spain to ensure the protection of trademark rights.
• In 1999, the OEPM participated in a roving seminar entitled "Trademarks in Europe,
Trademarks in Mercosur" which took place in Asunción (Paraguay), Buenos Aires
(Argentina), Montevideo (Uruguay ) and Rio de Janeiro (Brazil).
• During the first half of 2000, the OEPM carried out the following activities:
- Training seminar on trademark law for Moroccan judges.  This seminar took
place in Casablanca (Morocco) on 14 and 15 February 2000, with the
participation of speakers from the OHIM;
- participation in a training seminar on trademark law for judges and officials
from Poland, in Alicante;
- on the occasion of a study visit to the OHIM by officials from China, an
OEPM official presented a paper on the Spanish legal and administrativeframework for the application and defence of trademark rights.
(iv) Trilateral coopera tion (OEPM/WIPO/EPO)
- Patent Search and Examination Seminar
• The "Patent Search and Examination Seminar", an activity which has been carried out
annually since 1982, was held in June 1999.  Sixteen officials from as many industrial
property offices in Latin American countries took part.
• In June 2000, as during previous years, the "Patent Search and Examination Seminar"
was held once again with the participation of 16 officials from as many industrial
property offices in Latin American countries.
One of the OEPM's oldest cooperation activities,  this seminar was initially organized with the
collaboration of WIPO and, recently, with that of the EPO as well.
It is intended basically to cover the technical aspects of the patent search and examination
procedure.  The programme includes various practical sessions at which participants work on realcases of interest to them, under the direct supervision of OEPM patent examiners.IP/C/W/203/Add.4
Page 27
- Promotion of the PCT in Latin America
Similarly, trilateral cooperation includes annual seminars to promote the PCT in Latin
America.  The importance of promoting adherence to the PCT system by a large number of Spanish-
speaking countries ties in with the objective of strengthening cooperation between the OEPM and the
industrial property offices of the Latin American countries so as to reinforce the use of Spanish as an
official language in international searches under the PCT procedure.
• In 1999, the seminar took place in Montevideo (Uruguay).
• In 2000, the seminar took place in Santa Cruz de la Sierra (Bolivia).
(b) Bilateral cooperation
(i) Bilateral memoranda with Latin American countries
This is Spain's most important technical cooperation activity in the field of intellectual
property.  The bilateral memoranda date back more than 15 years and have been updated and directed
to the needs of these countries, with new services which take the following forms:
• Sending experts to Latin American offices for technical assistance tasks:
- Assistance in legislative training for the TRIPS Agreement;
- patent examination, including search reports on prior art;
- organizational structuring of industrial property offices, including the drafting
of standards;
- streamlining of procedures for granting trademarks;
- outreach activities (seminars, exhibitions, inventor's fairs, etc.);  and
- activities relating to international patent classification (IPC) and classification
of products and services for the purposes of the international nomenclature ofmarks established under the Nice Agreement.
• Organization of training and information visits
These cases involve on-site training of staff from Latin American countries with which a
cooperation memorandum has been signed.  Depending on the training needed, OEPM tutors are
assigned for "à la carte" activities adapted to the trainee's needs.
• In 1999, the OEPM received the following visits:
- Study visit by the Director of the National Directorate of Registries of El
Salvador;
- practical training visit by the Chief of the Department of Trademarks and
Other Distinctive Signs of the Cuban Industrial Property Office.IP/C/W/203/Add.4
Page 28
• Since the beginning of 2000, delegations from the Mexican Industrial Property
Institute and the National Industrial Property Institute of Argentina have been
received for study visits.
• Exchange of patent documents and CD -ROMs with Latin American countries
The purpose of the exchange of patent documents between the OEPM and Latin American
industrial property offices is the functioning of th e Spanish-language Patent Documentation Centre.
(ii) Memoranda of understanding with specific countries
To date, various memoranda of understanding have  been signed with the patent offices of the
Russian Federation, Estonia and Moldova, the purpose being mutual exchange of documentation,
more specifically the periodic bulletins of the offices, industrial property legislation, the annualreports of the offices and patent documents published on CD-ROM.
Moreover, on 21 January 1999 the OEPM and the Moroccan Industrial Property Office of the
Kingdom of Morocco signed a declaration of intent to foster cooperation in industrial property
protection, including legal assistance in regard to accession to the more important of internationalindustrial property instruments.IP/C/W/203/Add.4
Page 29
SWEDEN
In the course of 2000, the following activities relating to this assistance are being undertaken
in Sweden.  They are basically a continuation of the corresponding activities in 1999.
1. WIPO/Government of Sweden Training Course on Copyright and Related Rights (Copyright
2000), during ten days, for twenty participants from developing countries.  The course is financed by
the Swedish International Development Agency (Sida).  The course dealt with and discussed, among
other matters, the contents and the implementation of the TRIPS Agreement, on the basis of
presentations by Swedish lecturers.
2. The Swedish Patent and Registration Office held, in cooperation with WIPO, a course on
industrial property protection during the month of September.  The course was financed by Sida.
About ten participants from developing countries attended the course which dealt mainly with patent
examination and patent information.
3. The Swedish Patent and Registration Office has an ongoing bilateral cooperation with the
Patent Office of China concerning the strengthening of the protection in China of IPR's in general and
the strengthening of the patent system in particular.
4. The Swedish Patent and Registration Office is engaged in a bilateral cooperation project with
Latvia concerning training and building of comp etence on industrial property and copyright matters.
The first phase has ended and negotiations on a second phase is on-going.
5. Sweden is planning, together with the Patent Li brary of Estonia, to train Estonian information
officers on industrial property matters.  The goal is to get a core of well-trained advisors who couldassist inventors and researchers in the different regions of Estonia.
6. Several Swedish Authorities are involved in a EC Twinning Project with Latvia beginning
during the autumn of the year 2000.  The project includes, as a sub-component, information on law
enforcement concerning counterfeit and copyright crimes is carried out in cooperation with Latvian
Custom, Police and Prosecution Authorities.
7. Swedish officials are being used as lecturers in various intellectual property seminars and
other events, organized either on a bilateral basis or by WIPO or the European Patent Office.IP/C/W/203/Add.4
Page 30
UNITED KINGDOM
Date Purpose of Visit Venue Benefiting Funded by
Country
21-25 June 1999 Study visit by an official from
the Cayman Islands Government
to study all aspects of IPUKPO Cayman
IslandsCayman Islands
Government
21 June - 2 July 1999 Training visit to Vietnamese PO Viet Nam PO Viet Nam OHIM
28 September 1999 Visit by Kuke Shimomura from
Japanese POUKPO Japan
12 October 1999 Visit by the Registrar of the Sri
Lankan Trade Mark RegistryUKPO Sri Lanka Unilever
1 November 1999 Study visit by Nigerian officials
in order to study the functioningand the administration of the
Patent OfficeUKPO Nigeria WIPO
25 November 1999 Delegation visit from the State
Intellectual Property Office of
China in order to look at Patent
LawUKPO China Sino Bridge
International Ltd.
17-18 January 2000 Visit of Japanese Textile
Industry RepresentativesUKPO Japan
17 February 2000 Visits by officials from the
Brazilian Patent Office to study
areas concerned with CD-ROM
collections including Jukebox
networksUKPO Brazil WIPO
28 February –
10 March 2000Visit to the UKPO by officials
from the JPO to look at the
patenting area of IPUKPO Japan JPO
16 March 2000 Visit to UKPO by officials from
the JPO to look at areas
concerned with chemical patentsUKPO Japan JPO
27 March – 7 April
2000Visit to the UKPO by officials
from the Vietnamese PatentOffice to look at the designs area
of IPUKPO Viet Nam OHIM
19 May 2000 Visit to the UKPO by an official
from the Intellectual PropertyOffice of Singapore to study
patent searchingUKPO Singapore Singapore
1 June 2000 Visit to the UKPO by officials
from the Intellectual Property
Department of Balkonpharma
Holdings - Bulgaria to study the
chemical patenting areaUKPO Bulgaria Bulgarian
Intellectual
Property Office
28 June 2000 Visit to the UKPO by an official
from Tokyo District Court,
Japan, in order to study the
British way of practice inIntellectual Property lawsUKPO Japan The British
Council
__________