Iranian-Swiss Intellectual Property Project – IRSIP

The overall objective of the IRSIP is to strengthen the Iranian intellectual property system to improve business competitiveness and commercialization of intellectual property assets, and to make a positive impact on Iran’s economic development.

Factsheet Iran (pdf)

Project background and context

The integration of Iran into the international system of intellectual property rights (IPRs) is currently at an intermediate level, since the country is not yet a member of some of the most important agreements, such as the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS Agreement) and the Bern Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works.
Even though Iran’s legal framework and institutions for IPRs are already established, many challenges remain. As in many other emerging economies, institutional constraints continue to impede the effective enforcement of IPRs. Furthermore, the holders of IPRs have not yet fully exploited the potential of these rights. Both are partly the result of limited public awareness of IPRs. Promoting the use of those types of IPRs that allow Iran to capitalise on its internal strengths, such as geographical indications (GIs) or its creative industry, is of particular interest to the Government of Iran.
The IRSIP was initiated at the request of the Iranian Government to the Swiss Confederation, in order to enable Iran to capitalise on its internal strengths, for example in the field of GIs. The IRSIP was, therefore, planned according to the expressed needs of the Iranian IP authorities in order to strengthen Iran’s intellectual property system.

Objectives

The IRSIP project includes the following objectives:

the laws, rules, strategies, and procedures to support the protection and commercialization of IPRs and the development of the creative economy are strengthened;
Iran's IP protection system is improved for its users; and
the economic value, business competitiveness, and sustainability of registered Iranian GIs are recognized and demonstrated.

Activities

Iran’s national intellectual property system is relatively advanced. Therefore, the IRSIP aims to address specific needs and requests expressed by the Iranian IP authorities to add the most value and achieve sustainable results. IRSIP provides specialised advice and support in selected areas where Switzerland is able to offer strong expertise and achieve a tangible impact. Within these thematic areas, the activities mainly consist of technical capacity building by national and international consultants through trainings, workshops, experience sharing between Swiss and Iranian peers, education programmes, and expert input. The project will provide support atthe policy level to IP-related government agencies in order to establish, strengthen or improve the legal and institutional IP framework. The project activities intend to increase the capacity of the IPC and other IP-related agencies to deliver professional and high quality services to their users. At the same time, IRSIP supports the promotion, use and acquisition of IPRs by specific target groups, in order to increase the use and commercialization of IPRs, for example through knowledge and technology transfer services. Furthermore, IRSIP aims to provide assistance to the national GI system, namely by supporting two of the registered Iranian GIs. This support is expected to demonstrate the economic value, business competitiveness, and sustainability of these GIs.

Alignment with Iran’s general development priorities

The IRSIP is aligned with the key socio-economic development priorities of the Government of Iran, in particular with the aim of diversifying its economy by supporting non-oil related sectors such as agriculture, handicrafts and creative industries. A strong and well-balanced IP system encourages investment in the knowledge-based economy, technological innovation, and the building of strong local brands, all of which are needed to make Iranian companies more competitive internationally.
A strong IP system in Iran is also in the long-term interest of Switzerland, as reliable and competent local IPR entities can provide effective protection for patents, trademarks, designs, GIs, and other IPRs of Swiss companies abroad.

Beneficiaries

The main project beneficiaries through direct technical capacity building are, among others, the Intellectual Property Center; the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance; the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism; the Vice-Presidency of Science and Technology; and Iran’s Customs Administration. In addition, local small and medium enterprises (SMEs), universities and research centres, and relevant associations, such as literary and artistic associations and selected GI producer associations, will benefit from tailor-made workshops and training programmes. Other economic actors as well as the wider Iranian public will benefit indirectly through improved IPR services and increased quality and competitiveness of Iranian products.

The impact of IRSIP also extends to those segments of the population in need of support, such as micro entrepreneurs and rural communities, who through the use of IPRs, and especially GIs, will be able to market local specialties and develop their businesses.

Quick project facts

Project duration

January 2020 – December 2023

Total budget for the implementation of activities

CHF 691,000

Donor agency

Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property – IPI

Implementing partners

Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property – IPI

Iranian Intellectual Property Center – IPC

Iran country context 2018

Population: 82.1 million

Area: 1,648,195 km²

Real GDP growth: - 4.8%

GDP per capita: 5,495 USD

More information and contact

Zeinab Ghafouri – IRSIP Project Coordinator
Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property – IPI
zeinab.ghafourinot shown@ipito make life hard for spam bots.ch | +41 31 377 72 08

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