Introduction To Asian IPR Developments - March 1997 - March 1998

The rapid economic downturn in many Asian countries, (notably Indonesia, Thailand and South Korea), has sharpened focus on the need for adequate IPR protection. The dramatic devaluation of regional currencies means that many imported goods are now unaffordable to the previously burgeoning middle class. Added to that, local production costs have consequently fallen throughout the region in hard currency terms. The potential in such conditions for increased counterfeiting, piracy and other forms of infringement, in both domestic and export markets, is self-evident.

Activity in relation to IPR throughout the region has been high. The need for TRIPS compliance has, by and large, continued to set the legislative agendas for WTO member states, (with the notable exception of China). Ongoing programmes organised by the European Patent Office (EPO) and WIPO have provided IPR education, most recently in Vietnam in March, as well as technical assistance in the form of automated IPR office