KIPOnet, an intellectual property (IP)-management computer system designed and created by Korea’s IP office, has arrived on the African continent.
A group of officials from the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) recently paid a visit to the headquarters of the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) in Harare, Zimbabwe. They officially launched a project to upgrade and modernize ARIPO’s information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure.
ARIPO represents 18 nations from across the continent and aims to improve its members’ handling of IP and patents.
This project will enable the ARIPO office and those of its member states to utilize an IP-management computer system that will help with patent registration, patent administration and with the adjudication of disputes.
The KIPOnet system and Korea’s support have been highly welcomed by the African participants, including Director General Fernando dos Santos of ARIPO and Willie Mushayi, representative of the Comptroller of the Zimbabwe Intellectual Property Office (ZIPO). “This project will help improve African IP administration,” said the director, expressing his gratitude for the support provided by Korea.
KIPOnet is an integrated information system created by the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO). It computerizes all IP-related administrative processes. It replaced the prior tedious manual filing system and allows for automatic, online patent applications, examination filings, registration and even the publishing of KIPO’s monthly gazette.
Patent applicants and the public alike now have access to real-time IP registration data. The system also allows public servants to approve applications online and to conduct intelligent searches for IP- and patent-related information.
(Source: KIPO)
