A three-year funding commitment of $3 million has been made to support intellectual property (IP) programs in needy countries, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region.

The funding was announced by the Australian government on October 7 during the during the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) General Assemblies in Geneva, Switzerland.

Director General of IP Australia, Patricia Kelly said the funding would support a second joint WIPO and Australia Funds in Trust (FIT) program.

“The new three-year funding will build on the successes of the first FIT program and extend the work to new partner countries and expand support for innovative intellectual property activities,” Ms Kelly said.

IP to extend aid program

She said IP Australia would be working with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and WIPO to expand capacity-building IP programs to benefit developing and least-developed countries, with a focus on the Indo-Pacific.

“IP Australia is proud to continue the work of the WIPO Australia Funds in Trust program, which will allow our partner countries to develop their IP systems and enhance their capacity to use IP to aid economic development,” Ms Kelly said.

Australia’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Hamish McCormick said Australia’s contribution recognised the strong collaboration between WIPO and Australia and would continue to have real benefits for partner countries.

“Australia’s contribution demonstrates its commitment to assisting least-developed and developing countries to promote and protect their creativity and innovation through the intellectual property and multilateral system,” Mr McCormick said.

He said the first FIT program had begun in 2012 with an allocation of $2 million that was spent on a range of innovative projects, including the production of books for people with print disabilities through the Accessible Books Consortium.