Iran's Steadfast Commitment to Intellectual Property Rights

Paying attention to Intellectual property rights has always had a special place in the laws and policies and development programs of the State Organization for Registration of Deeds and Properties. In this regard, the main focus has been on the knowledge-based economy, supporting small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) and native and local producers along with the development of large and leading companies. The naming of the recent years by the supreme leader (focusing on economic issues) also shows our country's special attention to the issue of knowledge-based technologies and the use of the Intellectual capacities of people in the society for the growth and excellence of the society.

Enhancing Registration Services and Supporting Innovation

In recent years, the State Organization for Registration of Deeds and Properties has prioritized cooperation with knowledge-based companies and start-ups to utilize their innovative capacities in the field of registration services. During the past year, effective development measures have been implemented. These include the development of infrastructure in the field of electronic registration processes, providing a new version of software serving the field of Industrial Property, taking advantage of artificial intelligence in the process of examining applications and also increasing the speed of resolving disputes related to Industrial Property matters. Also, special attention has been paid to the capacity of using Geographical Indications in completing the value chain of agricultural products as well as benefiting the local producers. Finalizing the steps of adopting the new Industrial Property Law in accordance with international requirements and with the aim of eliminating existing gaps and creating a window for the commercialization of inventions in cooperation with relevant domestic organizations opened a better environment for businesses.

Strengthening Cooperation with World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)

Iran's cooperation with WIPO has had a positive trend since the beginning, and there is a suitable basis for strengthening this cooperation in the future. The presence of WIPO experts to provide technical advice and carry out development projects in Iran will definitely lead to the improvement of the status of IP in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Also, holding an Intellectual Property Summer School annually in cooperation with the WIPO Academy to increase the public awareness and interest of citizens towards protecting their Intellectual Property was another action made by the organization.

Impact of Sanctions on Iran's IP Development

According to the latest WIPO global innovation index (GII) report in 2023, the Islamic Republic of Iran gained the rank of 13th in the world in the field of intangible assets and won the first rank in the field of trademarks. Your Excellency, it is necessary to note that the successes at the ready, despite the unilateral coercive measures caused by sanctions, have in some cases had a negative impact on the development of the intellectual property system of the Islamic Republic of Iran. These non-humanitarian and illegal actions have had a negative impact even on bank transfers, in a way that prevents people, companies, inventors and intellectual property owners of our country from benefiting of WIPO international services through the Madrid, Lisbon and PCT systems. We hope WIPO will take appropriate measures to remove these obstacles.

Achievements of IPC of the I.R. Iran in alignment with global harmonization efforts led by the WIPO

The recent adoption of the Intellectual Property Treaty regarding Genetic Resources and related Traditional Knowledge and Design Law Treaty (DLT) shows historical progress that is the result of years of negotiations and confirms the continuous efforts of WIPO and the cooperation of all member states in reaching a common agreement in promoting the legal systems of protection.

Commitment to a Development-Oriented IP System and Global Collaboration

A development-oriented, balanced, effective, dynamic and comprehensive intellectual property system can contribute greatly to the development of innovation, commercialization of intellectual property, job creation and, as a result, the growth of investment and stable economy of the member states. Based on this, the IPC of the I.R. Iran attaches special importance to the effective implementation of WIPO's Development Agenda and turning it into a mainstream in WIPO. In this regard, the Islamic Republic of Iran supports any initiative within the WIPO framework that helps to facilitate the transfer of technology to developing and less developed countries and reduce the digital divide in order to achieve social and economic prosperity and face global challenges.