Knowledge Resources

WIPO has launched new research, publications and knowledge resources on emerging issues, to inform and support Member States and IP stakeholders in their response, recovery and building resilience post-pandemic.

COVID-19, Innovative Firms and Resilience

WIPO published an economic research working paper on patent filings as a strong indicator for a company’s resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in manufacturing industries. The study shows that patent-intensive firms, especially those with R&D investments, have greater resilience and productivity. Read the COVID-19, Innovative Firms and Resilience publication to find out more about the relationship between intellectual property activity and economic resilience in industry, including policy insights.

WIPO ADR Options for Life Sciences Dispute Management and Resolution

The WIPO ADR Options for Life Sciences Dispute Management and Resolution publication was developed by the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center as part of WIPO’s COVID-19 support package for member states. The publication takes into account input from WIPO Arbitrators and Mediators specialized in life sciences.

Resilience and Ingenuity: Global Innovation Responses to COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly affected the ecosystems that spur innovation and creativity around the world. The e-book Resilience and Ingenuity: Global Innovation Responses to COVID-19 untangles how the pandemic shaped the innovation landscape of the world’s major economies, and how scientists, entrepreneurs and creative professionals responded to the crisis.

IP and Traditional Knowledge Language Packs

The IP and Traditional Knowledge Language Packs contain a series of short and practical print and audio information resources primarily aimed at indigenous and local community entrepreneurs. They include tips to protect and promote tradition-based products and services with intellectual property, including in the digital economy. The Language Packs were prepared as part of WIPO’s COVID-19 Response Package with the objective to support communities in their post-pandemic economic recovery and help them to be more resilient to future pandemic scenarios. They were translated into a number of indigenous, local and other languages to make this information available to a wider number of communities in their own languages.

Database on Flexibilities in the IP System

The Database on Flexibilities in the IP System contains data drawn from WIPO documents on Patent Related Flexibilities in the Multilateral Legal Framework and their Legislative Implementation at the National and Regional Levels. It allows searches for implementation of flexibilities in national IP laws in selected jurisdictions.

Pat-INFORMED

The Patent Information Initiative for Medicines (Pat-INFORMED) provides easy access to medicine patent information to the global health community, particularly those involved in procurement of medicines. Users can easily find information on a medicine’s patent status in a particular country and other available information on PATENTSCOPE, WIPO’s own global patent database. Pat-INFORMED also provides a facility for procurement agencies to make follow-up inquiries directly with participating companies.

Patent Analytics

Patent analytics is a way of using patent information and data to gather and share insights on technology developments. In 2022, WIPO published the PLR on COVID-19 Related Vaccines and Therapeutics, providing early observations on patenting activity and comparing results with clinical trial data for related candidate vaccines and drugs. An updated version of the report is due to be published in 2023. WIPO has also collected publicly available PLRs and has put together a searchable compilation.

PATENTSCOPE COVID-19 Index

PATENTSCOPE launched a COVID-19 search facility to provide scientists, engineers, public health policymakers, industry actors and members of the general public with an easily accessible source of intelligence for improving the detection, prevention, and treatment of diseases such as the novel coronavirus.

Dozens of search queries are now available, specially curated by patent information experts who have identified technological areas relevant to the detection, prevention and treatment of COVID-19 are available.

Promoting Access to Medical Technologies and Innovation (2021)

The second edition of the WHO-WIPO-WTO trilateral report on the intersections between public health, intellectual property and trade features an updated extract on an integrated approach to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 constitutes an extraordinary global public health crisis that has created a pressing need for intensified global cooperation. The updated information note maps the myriad challenges posed by the outbreak in relation to the integrated health, trade and IP policy frameworks. It provides cross-references to the relevant sections in the updated trilateral study.

The Impact of COVID-19 on the Copyright Ecosystem

An information session exploring the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the copyright ecosystem was held during the 42nd Session of the Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR), where amongst round table discussions, a report on “The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Creative Industries, Cultural Institutions, Education and Research” was presented.

Discussion Paper on the Interplay Between Patents and Trade Secrets in Medical Technologies

The discussion paper addresses how patents and trade secrets interact with each other throughout the innovation process and product value chain in the field of medical technologies, which covers a wide range of products from pharmaceuticals to digital medical devices. The paper also includes a case study regarding the use of patents and trade secrets in Brazil during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Discussion Paper on IP and Access to Publicly Funded Research Results in Health Emergencies

The discussion paper addresses government policies, regulation, and practical management of publicly funded research results in Europe and the United States of America and how IP generated through such research is handled to meet the respective public policy goals in those jurisdictions. The paper also examines IP management policies and practices adopted by publicly funded international research and development (R&D) projects and outlines best practices to better prepare for future health emergencies.