Mauritius: The Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) is the focus of a three-day seminar and practical training which kicked off today at the Westin Resort & Spa in Balaclava. The Minister of Land Transport and Light Rail; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade, Mr Alan Ganoo; the Consultant representative from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Mr Ali Jazairy; representatives of the Industrial Property Office (IPO) of Mauritius; and other personalities were present.
The seminar, organised by the WIPO and the IPO, aims to create greater awareness among users of the Patent System as well as to train officers of the IPO on the effective implementation of the PCT-related provisions in domestic legislation.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Minister Ganoo pointed out that following the entry into operation of the Industrial Property Act 2019 proclaimed on 31 January 2022 and Mauritius’ accession to the PCT on 15 March 2023, there will be a significant increase in the number of patent applications filed, reflecting into a greater opportunity for inventions and protection of their rights.
Apart from broadening the scope of protection of Industrial Property Rights to provide for the protection of Utility Models, Layout-designs of Integrated Circuits, Plant Breeder’s Rights and Geographical Indications, the Minister mentioned that the new law also provides for the accession of Mauritius to three WIPO-administered treaties, namely the Patent Cooperation Treaty, The Hague Agreement and the Madrid Protocol.
He underlined that while the country’s membership to the PCT has recently been accessed, the two other treaties will become effective on 06 May 2023. Minister Ganoo further dwelt on the numerous advantages of the PCT System to the participants.
They are as follows: 18 months’ time to reflect on the desirability of seeking protection in foreign countries, to appoint local patent agents in each foreign country, to prepare the necessary translations and to pay the national fees to protect IP rights; the opportunity for international information sharing on patenting; the possibility to enter into dialogue with the examiner to enable protection of rights; the option to fast-track examination procedures in the national phase in the Contracting States that have PCT-Patent Prosecution Highway agreements or similar arrangements; and the opportunities to conclude licensing agreements on PATENTSCOPE, an effective means of advertising and looking for potential licensees.
These benefits, the Minister stated, can help support growth, promote innovation and enhance the competitiveness of inventors and companies and ultimately contribute to the economic development of the country.
“In its vision to attract investment through research, development and innovation, the Government of Mauritius is providing all necessary platforms for tapping our best brains and giving them international recognition through their invention and innovation”, he said.
As for Mr Jazairy from the WIPO, he commended Mauritius’ accession to the PCT and became the 157th member of the PCT Union. In his remarks, he underscored the PCT’s vital role in assisting applicants seeking patent protection internationally for their inventions, helping patent offices with their patent-granting decisions, and facilitating public access to a wealth of technical information relating to those inventions.