On 28 October 2014, the World Trade Organization (WTO) will host the inaugural WTO Innovation Fair which will “feature a diverse array of creators and inventors including individuals and organizations from around the globe and will serve as a platform for exchange of information, introduction of new technologies and advancing the understanding of the innovation lifecycle – from research and development, to financing and commercialization.” (Source: Website of the Permanent Mission of the Czech Republic in Geneva). The annual rite of the review of the paragraph 6 system will take place at the WTO TRIPS Council from 28 October 2014 to 29 October 2014 while the WTO Innovation Fair will promote the intellectual property system as the enabling environment for fostering innovation.
The Czech Mission further notes,
As a part of the discussions, elements of the institutional environment will be presented – including the intellectual property system – that have enabled the introduction of specific cutting edge technologies to the market. Taking place in parallel with the WTO Council on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), the fair will also help enrich and advance the critical dialogue in the WTO regarding the multilateral system of intellectual property protection and its impact on development and dissemination of innovative technologies.
However, there is currently no information about the WTO Innovation Fair on the WTO’s own website; what information KEI has obtained is through publicly available sources courtesy of the trusty Czechs and the Italian Patent and Trademark Office (Italy currently holds the EU Presidency). The conveners of this Innovation Fair appear to be the European Union, Switzerland and the United States of America.
An early concept note prepared by the United States (with the original dates scheduled for June 2014) articulates the objective of the Innovation Fair:
Objective. To hold an Innovation Fair at the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva on June 11 in conjunction with the WTO Council for the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property (TRIPS Council). The Innovation Fair would feature a diverse array of creators and inventors- including individuals and organizations, both large and small- from around the globe, and provide an interactive environment for advancing understanding on the innovation lifecycle- from research and development , to financing and commercialization- for cutting-edge and critical technologies. The Fair would be complemented by a panel discussion on June 12 highlighting several inspiring innovations and the enabling environments, including intellectual property rights (IPR) protection, which made those inventions possible.
Why Innovation? Innovation is a priority as well as an imperative for all countries. Its benefits are not only economic- such as job creation and economic growth and development- but social. To secure these benefits, governments are evaluating the best means to protect the promisee of innovation for consumers in combating the challenges we face, whether locally or globally, including how to provide a stable and predictable market place for of ideas that catalyzes commercialization, without which the benefits of innovation would not be fully realized. This event would provide a unique opportunity for innovators not only to present their breakthroughs, including their low-cost/high-impact innovations, but to help enrich and advance a critical dialogue in the WTO, and beyond.
Why the WTO? The WTO is situated at the crossroads of global commerce and international law. Trade serves as one of the key conduits for innovation, and plays a fundamental role in voluntary technology transfer and know-how diffusion. More specifically, the WTO TRIPS Council is charged with examining a wide range of IPR issues, and meets at least three times a year to explore specific IPR issues of interest to WTO member countries. By participating in the Innovation Fair, innovators from WTO Members can showcase their creativity to the WTO Membership, and may have the opportunity to meet investors and others who can help further develop their innovations.
The note to participants (attached) provides more detail:
Why participate? Participation will provide an opportunity to have your invention or other creative work put in a spotlight. Participation is limited, so a select few contributions, so each participant can stand out. The event will be publicized (on the internet and in some printed media), which will provide a significant opportunity for the public to learn about your work.
How can I participate? In the WTO Atrium, about 15 tables will be available for innovators to display their creations, and to meet the attendees of the event.
Who will attend? The proposed Innovation Fair will be attended by WTO delegates, as well as the public. Attendees will include prospective investors, other inventors, and the curious. There will be no charge, but the public will need to register in advance.
Cost: Participants would need to pay for their own travel expenses, but there will be no charge to the participants for the table or equipment (computer monitors) for the event.
Other activities: The Fair would be complemented by a panel discussion on October 29 highlighting several inspiring innovations and the enabling environments, including IPR protection, which made those innovations possible. In addition, the discussion will focus on venture capital. The panel has not yet been filled, and if you would like to speak, please let us know.
The note also includes a FAQ explicitly stating that participants to the WTO Innovation Fair must hold “some form of intellectual property” including a patent, trademark, copyright, plant variety protection, industrial design or geographical indication. Apparently, innovation outside the intellectual property architecture undergirded by the TRIPS Agreement is not welcome at the WTO Innovation Fair.
Other frequently asked questions about the Innovation Fair:
(1) How will I benefit from participating? Participants will benefit in two main ways. First, they will raise the profile of their invention/design/creative work, and will have an opportunity to meet people who can help further develop their idea. Secondly, they will help governments make and improve policies that support the creative community.
(2) Are participants screened? Yes, participation is limited, and participants are carefully selected so as to choose creations that represent a diversity of intellectual property rights, and creators from a diversity of countries.
(3) I don’t have a patent, trademark, copyright, plant variety protection, industrial design or geographical indication. Can I still participate? No. Participants need to have some form of intellectual property (of course, if the work is a creative work, then registration is not required and a Copyright is automatic), or represent an intellectual property office.
(4) Will many Intellectual Property Offices be there? Yes, we expect to have at least the World Intellectual Property Office, the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and the Polish Patent Office also present.
(5) What is the size of the table? The table measures 180 cm.
(6) How many people will monitor a table/booth? There will be two chairs, but more people can be there.
(7) Is it possible to plug any electrical devices? Yes, but not everyone will get an outlet. They will be allocated later.
(8) Is parking available? Yes.
(9) Can we have a screen with sound and pictures? Yes, there are two large screens and additional monitors available. However, not each table will be able to have the equipment.
(10) What is the organization for the day? Participants are encouraged to set up by 09:30 and to plan to stay until 19:00. Peak times will be 09:30 to 10:00 and 12:00 to 15:00. A reception is planned for 18:00.
(11) Is it possible to install the booth the day before the event? Yes, the WTO will allow delivery of things the day before and will put things in a safe room. The tables will be set up the night before, but they do not advise setting up until October 28th.
(12) Is the room secure? Yes, but it is not a good idea to leave anything extremely valuable anyway.
(13) Will the organization propose to print leaflet or poster? We will develop promotional materials with information that is provided in advance, but for leaflets and posters, the participants will need to provide their own. The WTO will print some materials, and the cost is available on request.
(14) Are there some specific installations which will be not allowed in the exhibition hall? Yes, but nothing with smoke, toxic fumes, loud noise, the to be expected things where the audience can include children and sensitive adults.
(15) What is the deadline: August 1. The time between August 1 and October 28th will be needed to publicize the event, and to develop profiles of the inventors.
(16) Who is participating? A draft list is included as an attachment to this document.Attachment 1
Innovation Fair Draft Participation List (No specific order)
(1) Helioz (Austrian social enterprise- http://www.helioz.org). One Helioz device: WADI™ is an easy-to-use and cost-effective UV measurement device that visualises the process of solar water disinfection. WADI™ is solar-powered, operates without the use of chemicals and filters, and can help reduce waterborne diseases thanks to the power of the sun.
(2) KACST – Saudi Arabia – http://www.kacst.edu.sa/en/Pages/default.aspx King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) is an independent scientific organization administratively reporting to the Prime Minister. KACST is both the Saudi Arabian national science agency and its national laboratories. The science agency function involves science and technology policy making, data collection, funding of external research, and services such as the patent office. Will provide two or more inventions, to be determined.
(3) Frederic Valade (French inventor, USP 8,286,304: Device to facilitate moving a curtain with loops; and Swiss invention coach.
(4) Sound Candy- a Turkish invention- inventor (i.k.tolgaerden@gmail.com) – Manufacturing method and apparatus for popping candy (WO 2011092669 A1)
(5) Lithuania- Contact: arunas.karlonas@mita ricardas.valanciauskas@mita.lt Possible contributions- • Elinta – the company developed a system called “Rubbee” that can be mounted on a bicycle so from a standard bike you can make an electrified bike – http://www.elinta.eu/en/_182.• Friday Lab – this company created a smart fish finder which may be connected to mobile devices (smart phones or tablets) – http://www.fridaylab.com/works/#id50-Deeper-|-Smart-Fishfinder• Eco-friendly bottle – the company started to manufacture bottles that may be shrinked and contracted, may be reused many times – http://ufobottle.com/;• Acorn Intelligence – the company created smart shopping cart, developed interactive panels and retail shelves. Mostly, they use RFID technology which improves shopping experience – http://www.acornintelligence.com/;• Integrated Optics – a successful company that manufactures products equipped with very compact lasers. The small size of their devices distinguishes them from other competitors – http://integratedoptics.eu/.
(6) Apelab: http://www.tdg.ch/geneve/actu-genevoise/Le-jeu-genevois-qui-seduit-Apple-et-Disney/story/19254734
http://apelab.ch/ – apelab is a swiss design studio focusing on interactive storytelling, pervasive game design and user experience. We work on the links between technology and design in search for new immersive stories and experiences using interaction technologies. Apelab says that they can transform technologies into poetic, accessible and compelling user experiences working towards the future of storytelling.(7) Dr. Stefan Radel, an inventor and entrepreneur in the field of PAT probe, Austria- radel@tuwien.ac.at
(8) Croatian Ministry of entrepreneurship and crafts has recommend and nominated two projects :
1. concrete with absorbing capacity to reduce the noise effects,
2. wall panels with isolation features, reducing the energy loss)(9) The Polish Patent office. Karolina Badzioch-Brylska Promotion and Innovation Support Department al. Niepodleg?o?ci 188/192 | 00-950 Warsaw, Poland | E-mail: kbadzioch@uprp.pl www.uprp.pl
(10) The United States Patent and Trademark Office
(11) Fongit- a Swiss accelerator – Fongit is a start-up accelerator supporting high-tech ventures. We are a private, non-profit foundation, whose mission is to foster business opportunities and create wealth and employment in the region. The foundation supports early-stage, high-tech ventures by providing fully furnished office-space, business coaching, administration, and access to financing, and incubates start-ups with innovative and disruptive technologies and business models in the Cleantech, IT, Mechatronics and Medtech industries.
(12) takram- a Japanese design engineering company (2 innovators are likely to participate in this fair)- takram consists of a group of talented “design engineers” who are fluent in both creative design and technical engineering. They are also active in acquisition of patent and design rights for their creative innovation. http://www.takram.com/?page_id=32
(13) Katadyn – Swiss company for individual water purification systems and products (http://www.katadyngroup.com/chen/). Also represented at the booth will be CTI (http://www.empa.ch/plugin/template/empa/3/*/—/l=2), the Swiss Confederation’s innovation promotion agency which lends support to R&D projects, entrepreneurship and to the development of start-up companies, as well as EMPA (http://www.kti.admin.ch/index.html?lang=en), interdisciplinary research and services institute for material sciences and technology development.