A new web portal for patents

WIPO launched a new portal on its website in mid-July for patent-related information and services concerning the international patent filing system (Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) System). The new portal centralizes all WIPO's patent and PCT-related activities to provide users with better services.

Existing information on PCT filing, electronic filing and other patent-related resources is available through this new portal as well as new sections on patent data, statistics and current issues. The patent data section provides access, through a PCT Online File Inspection System, to the complete collection of published PCT International Applications - now more than a million - from 1978 to the present day in image format and with fully searchable description and claim texts for applications filed as from July 1998.

The portal will form the basis for new online services, tutorials and other resources for patent information retrieval that will be made available in the coming months.

Mexico honors Dr Kamil Idris

Ambassador Luis Alfonso de Alba, Mexico's Permanent Representative to the International Organizations in Geneva, presented WIPO Director General Kamil Idris with Mexico's highest honor for foreigners, the Order of the Aztec Eagle (Orden de Aguila Azteca), on June 22. The Ambassador stated that the Director General's commitment to a culture of intellectual property had strengthened the relationship between WIPO and Mexico's IP institutions. "This relationship has increased economic growth and development for Mexico and in recognition of his endeavors, it is my distinct privilege to confer to his Excellency Mr. Kamil Idris the decoration of the Aztec Eagle, in grade of Band, bestowed upon him by Mr. Vicente Fox, President of Mexico."

Asia-Pacific regional symposium discusses IP and development

Officials representing the intellectual property (IP) offices of 25 countries in the Asia and the Pacific Region joined the ongoing international debate in the field of IP and development at a Symposium held in Singapore on June 7 and 8. WIPO organized the event in cooperation with the Government of Singapore through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Intellectual Property Office and the Ministry of Law.

The Symposium focused on...