Colombian - Swiss Intellectual Property Project

Colombia’s National Development Plan 2010 - 2014: ("Prosperity for all" /"Prosperidad para todos") promotes increased integration in the global economy and entrepreneurial initiative. In order to achieve this objective, innovation in general and the protection of intellectual property (IP) in particular play key roles. COLIPRI will help contribute to this objective through, for example: access to IP titles containing knowledge for businesses, researchers, developers and creative people- technology transfer systems comprised of actors from universities and industry- and the capitalization of intellectual property through GI and TK frameworks.

The overall goal of the project is to contribute to higher competitiveness including through innovation and the addition of more value to Colombian products which in turn will have a positive impact on Colombia’s social and economic development. This contribution will be made by strengthening the protection of intellectual property rights.

The Project includes four broad outcomes. The first is that the Department of Industrial Property under the Superintendencia de Industria y Comercio of the Colombian Ministry of Interior is better able to provide improved services to IPR users. The second is improved technology transfer in given number of sectors. Thirdly, producers large and small can access the benefits offered by the GI legal and institutional framework. Finally, the initial development of a traditional knowledge protection system and provides tangible benefits for indigenous and African-Colombian communities.

Expected results:  

The corresponding key outputs include:

process reform and improved quality management of patent examination and demand-driven IP-search services,

increased technology transfer by developing a national strategy and pilot technology transfer offices,

capacity-building for Geographical Indications producers and support to two pilot supply chains,

the institutional capacity to develop traditional knowledge policies and a legislative framework in addition to raised awareness among certain target populations on how to protect their traditional knowledge.

Phase 1 01.04.2012 - 31.12.2017   (Completed)