G7 IP Offices Will Support Economic Recovery After the Pandemic

November 22, 2021

External Economic Policy

The G7 Heads of IP Office Conversation was held via video conference on November 19, 2021, bringing together leading officials from IP Offices in G7 member states (G7 IP Offices). During the Conversation, the participants shared their recognition of initiatives on IP intersections with public health; IP and future technologies including Artificial Intelligence (AI); best practices in IP enforcement; and increased cooperation between G7 IP Offices and other entities including WIPO. They also indicated that they would aim to establish a balanced and international IP environment wherein the benefits from innovation and creativity can be maximized, and said that they would support the global economic recovery after the pandemic. Consequently, the G7 IP Offices successfully adopted their Joint Statement for the first time.

1. Overview

On November 19, the Intellectual Property Office of the United Kingdom (UKIPO), the Presidency of the 2021 G7, hosted the Conversation via video conference. In addition to the G7 Heads of IP Offices, the Director General of World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Mr. Daren Tang also participated in the Conversation as an observer. The participants held discussions on issues in the IP field, and adopted the first Joint Statement made by the G7 IP Offices.

2. Results of the G7 Heads of IP Office Conversation (1) Adoption of the Joint Statement

Through the Conversation, the G7 IP Offices compiled a Joint Statement and confirmed that a good Intellectual Property system brings trust and certainty to innovators, creators, and other stakeholders.

In order to establish a balanced and international IP environment in which the benefits from innovation and creativity can be maximized, as well as to support global economic recovery after the pandemic, the G7 IP Offices shared their recognition of initiatives on the following: (1) IP intersections with public health, (2) IP and future technologies including AI, (3) best practices in IP enforcement, (4) increased cooperation between G7 IP Offices at WIPO and others.

(2) Remarks from the Japan Patent Office

Mr. Mori, Commissioner of the Japan Patent Office, commented that an IP system is essential in order to support the promotion of innovation in fields such as public health. He also remarked that an IP system plays a key role in encouraging development of future technologies such as AI, and touched upon the importance of creating an environment of effective IP enforcement.

Note: Participants in the meeting:
Japan Patent Office (JPO): Mr. Mori Kiyoshi, Commissioner, and other officials
Intellectual Property Office of the United Kingdom (UKIPO): Mr. Tim Moss, Chief Executive and Comptroller General, and other officials
Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO): Mr. Konstantinos Georgaras, Interim CEO, and other officials
National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI, France): Mr. Pascal Faure, Director General, and other officials
German Patent and Trade Mark Office (DPMA): Ms. Cornelia Rudloff-Schäffer, President, and other officials
Italian Patent and Trademark Office (UIBM): Ms. Simona Marzetti, Head of European and International Affairs, and other officials
United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO): Mr. Drew Hirshfeld, Interim Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO, and other officials
World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO): Mr. Daren Tang, Director General, and other officials

Photo: G7 Heads of IP Office Conversation
Top left: Mr. Mori (JPO, JP)
Top center: Mr. Moss (UKIPO, UK)
Top right: Mr. Georgaras (CIPO, CA)
Middle left: Mr. Tang (WIPO, Observer)
Middle center: Mr. Faure (INPI, FR)
Middle right: Mr. Hirshfeld (USPTO, US)
Bottom left: Ms. Rudloff-Schäffer (DPMA, DE)
Bottom right: Ms. Marzetti (UIBM, IT)

• G7 Heads of IP Office Conversation　Joint Statement （External Link, PDF）

Division in Charge

International Policy Division, Policy Planning and Coordination Department, Japan Patent Office

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