Latin American Network of Intellectual Property and Gender

By IDeas trademarks & patents

On June 28, 2021, it was announced the creation of the Latin American Network of Intellectual Property and Gender, after the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the intellectual property offices of Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica and Peru.

The network looks to close gaps and promote gender equality in the field of intellectual property. It will facilitate processes for the exchange of good practices, statistical information and experiences between the IP offices of the region that will lead to the development and strengthening of capacities on the matter. Experts and practitioners from various industries will share findings, lessons and practices in addressing barriers faced by women in using the IP system.

The network’s creation was discussed during the “III Sub-regional Meeting on Intellectual Property, Innovation and Gender Equality” in 2019. Throughout 2020, the IP Offices of Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, and Peru held meetings with WIPO to follow up on the creation of the Network.

Women remain severely under-represented in many areas of IP, as their innovative potential is underutilized at a time when the widest possible range of talents is needed. 2020 statistics reveal that only 16.5 percent of inventors named in international patent applications were women. While numbers are going in the right direction, progress is slow: at the current pace, parity amongst PCT-listed inventors will only be reached in 2058.

The WIPO has been long committed to promote gender equality and diversity: in the innovative and creative sectors, across the wider world of IP and within its organization. WIPO's new training and mentoring program aims to strengthen the capacity of women entrepreneurs from indigenous peoples and local communities to make strategic use of IP to support projects based on traditional knowledge.