WIPONET was set up in January 21, 1998 by the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) to narrow the information gap between developed and developing countries by easy flow of information on Intellectual Property Rights. WIPONET will also help in modernisation of patent offices.

Speaking to The Financial Express, Mashelkar stated that International Bureau (IB) of WIPO has already received project bids which are likely to be finalised by late September, this year, once the WIPONET team has completed the `proof of concept' tests with the short-listed bidders. The implementation of phase I of the project will commence shortly after contract signature. The strategic IT plan drawn upby the Standing Committee on Information Technology (SCIT) is sufficient to ensure sustainability and continued upgradation of WIPONET in the next millennium.

He said that it is necessary to understand the basic components of a modernised framework in context of IPR services, namely, re-engineering of work functions, automation and networking, shift from paper-based operations to electronic management of records, providing legal framework for making available electronic payment system, ability to authenticate originator and for maintaining the confidentiality of data and records wherever needed. Above all, there is a need for human resource development and training.

WIPONET will be making direct as well as indirect contributions to the modernisation endeavours of national patent offices. It will be a direct provider of the minimum level of hardware equipment and services to ensure the connectivity of the Internet. It will be a facilitator for providing details on technologies and related standards. Inaddition it will define minimum modernisation standards and provide an implementable mechanism through nationally focused action plans (NFAPs) and future WIPONET support projects. It will help to create abilities to contribute to WIPONET contents through Intellectual Property Digital Library (IPDL) which is bound to have a catalytic impact on the development IT infrastructure for intellectual property rights in the country.

Although the national patent offices will get the basic IT infrastructure which is necessary for developing a modernised environment, the full objectives of modernisation of WIPONET will not be realised unless the countries take urgent steps to effectively utilise this infrastructure. Modernisation is not a one-time effort, it is indeed an ongoing process, said Mashelkar.

He said that in due course the WIPONET will be enriched with both tecnological inputs from the developed world and matching contributions from the developing world in areas of bio-diversity, traditional knowledge baseincluding traditional medicinal systems and other relevant technologies. Once enriched with these inputs, WIPONET will open up new areas for technology transfer and collaboration which will finally have a positive impact on the quality of life of the people.

The assembly of WIPO member states in March 1998 has already approved some of WIPONET's component projects like, establishment and operation of a global information network, provision of intellectual property information services and establishment of Intellectual Property Digital Library (IPDL), automation of WIPO's internal activities relating to Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), WIPO's internal network and automation of Madrid System for International Registration of Marks. Already distance learning programmes are being pursued under the aegis of WIPO Worldwide Academy (WWA) and also the modernisation of patent offices under NFAPs.