ASEAN IP Offices recently enhanced their cooperation with IP service providers Patsnap, Questel and WIPS through a landmark deal. 

The agreement will facilitate the sharing of select ASEAN IP data from Member States to the IP service providers in exchange for access to IP management software, AI-assisted search tools and IP strategy assistance. 

The result of the agreement will be twofold; allowing for better availability and quality of ASEAN IP data while also enhancing the strength and examination capabilities of ASEAN IP offices. The sharing of data will take place exclusively through the ASEAN IP Register. Users, including inventors, businesses, and IP professionals, may continue to access ASEAN IP data through the ASEAN IP Register on the ASEAN IP Portal (https://www.aseanip.org/).

The ASEAN IP Register, a unified regional database that consolidates registration information on patents, trademarks, industrial designs and geographical indications across ASEAN is a collaboration between the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the ASEAN Working Group on Intellectual Property Cooperation (AWGIPC). The ASEAN IP Register stands as the most comprehensive and accurate source of ASEAN IP data and currently contains over 8.6 million registrations across 10 participating ASEAN Member States.  

ASEAN continues to strengthen its position as a regional innovation hub, driven by a burgeoning digital economy and a median population under the age of 35. This highlights the increasing need for strengthened innovation ecosystems, expanding digital capabilities and improved commercialization of research and development. Enhanced cooperation with the private sector and the heightened availability of IP data is seen as central towards the continued push for the improvement of innovation capabilities.