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LEGISLATION
ENFORCEMENT
IP AWARENESS
IP NEWS & EVENTS
APPLICATION ON PATENTING OF HUMAN EMBRYONIC CELLS IN PNG REFUSED BY IPOPNG
In light of the decision made by the European Court in recognizing that human life begins from the moment of conception this week (Wednesday, 19 October 2011), the Intellectual Property of Office of PNG (IPOPNG) is elated to note the significant progress in this discussions and most probably the end to the long standing controversial question (from the legal point of view) of when exactly can one determine the beginning to the development of human life.
“Does human life begin at conception or during a later stage when the fertilized egg settles in the uterus?”
Many intellects all over the world have challenged this question from both the scientific and legal point of view but no consensus can be reached due to the simple fact that every opinion is influenced by an external but existing factor such as religion, commercial viability & gain, scientific (medical) discovery and most importantly human dignity.
In September 2008, an application was lodged with IPOPNG from a foreign inventor who requested for his invention titled; “COMPOSITIONS COMPRISING HUMAN EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS AND THEIR DERIVATIVES, METHODS OF USE, AND METHODS OF PREPARATIONS” to be allowed patent protection within PNG.
Considering the controversy surrounding this matter, IPOPNG despite its infancy as an IP Office, proceeded with background research and consultation on legal advice for a year before refusing the application in 2009 based on “ethics” as shown in the extract (below) of the refusal decision transmitted to the applicant.
“The fact that the Constitution of the Papua New Guinea recognizes and upholds Christian values, we strongly oppose the destruction of human embryo for research purposes. We support that an embryo is a living person and should be treated with respect. The Constitution gives recognition to Christian values and principles upheld by the majority of believers of which the greater percentage being the Roman Catholic Church. The Constitution further recognizes and acknowledges the right to life. The basic right to life is a fundamental right to any person to live and develop to their fullest potential without any interference.”
“The killing of human embryo is contrary to public order and morality and is unconstitutional. Hence, your application does not meet the requirements of Section 12(2) of the Act and is therefore not patentable in Papua New Guinea .”
Therefore, the decision by the European Court is welcomed by the IPOPNG as it adds value to the decision made earlier regarding the same matter at the national level.
While some may argue otherwise, it is essential to understand the impact of this invention whether socially, medically or commercially and to assess its relevance to the current status of medical research within PNG as compared to that in the developed nations. IPOPNG is therefore mindful to ensure informed decisions are made in the best interest of PNG without impeding development.
STRATEGIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT: EXECUTIVE PROGRAM,
11-19 Nov 2011, SINGAPORE
The World Intellectual Property Organisation in cooperation with National University of Singapore is conducting a week long workshop on the various areas of Intellectual Property (IP) and how it can be harnessed and managed using existing business operations through Research and Development (R&D) of new products. 
read more
49TH GENERAL ASSEMBLIES OF THE MEMBER STATES OF WIPO, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND, 29 SEPTEMBER 2011
Statement by Mr. Ivan Pomaleu, Managing Director of the Investment Promotion Authority, Government of Papua New Guinea on the Occasion of the 49th General Assemblies of the Member States of WIPO
Mr. Chairman,
May I, on behalf of my delegation, congratulate you on your election as the Chairman of the Assemblies? I also convey my delegation's thanks to the outgoing Chairman, for his outstanding stewardship as Chair of the Assemblies for the past two years. read more
FRAUDULENT SCHEMES UNLAWFULLY CONDUCTED USING INTERNATIONAL FILING SYSTEMS (i.e. P.C.T & Madrid Protocol) SET UP BY THE WORLD INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ORGANISATION
It has come to the attention of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) that there are certain entities and individuals, who have been, over the years, designing forms that appear as official invoices but intended as part of false pretence to gain financially from unsuspecting users of WIPO services. read more
HEADS OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICES IN THE PACIFIC MEET ON THE REGIONAL MECHANISM FOR TRADEMARK ADMINISTRATION
The Investment Promotion Authority through the IPOPNG will be hosting a Regional Meeting of the Pacific Heads of Intellectual Property Office on the Regional Mechanism for Trademark Administration from 26-28 April 2011 at the Crown Plaza Hotel, Port Moresby. read more
WORLD INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY (IP) DAY - 26 April 2011
Theme: 
The 26 of April is the World Intellectual Property (IP) Day. The day is observed by the member states of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) to reflect on the important role CREATIVE and INNOVATIVE activity plays in the social, economic and cultural development of societies. read more
29 - 31 March 2011 - Bangkok, THAILAND
ASIA PACIFIC REGIONAL SEMINAR ON EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION ON PATENT RELATED FLEXIBILITIES...
It was a three day seminar conducted in the Novotel Ploechit Fenix hotel by the Department of Intellectual Property of Thailand and World Intellectual Property Organisation. read more
NATIONAL PHASE ENTRY - PATENTSCOPE
WIPO has launched on the 14 September 2009 a National Phase Entry collection on the PATENTSCOPE search service site which enables the public worldwide to access patent information data at the national level. Currently the only contracting states involved in this pilot project is Singapore, Vietnam, Mexico, Cuba, ARIPO, Argentina, Korea, Israel, Australia, South Africa. This is just temporary as WIPO aims to increase the number of countries to provide the national records online and particularly to provide the status of the applications within the particular country's IP Office to facilitate file tracking by the applicants.
The search system is set up in a way where an aggregated search can be done for applications entering national phase in all the above countries. At present, most of the countries are still in the process of digitizing their records inorder to have it uploaded in full text form on the site. Some of the available features on the search site are: BIBLIOGRAPHY DATA, DESCRIPTION, CLAIMS, NATIONAL PHASE, NOTICES & DOCUMENTS. Furthermore, machine translation can be done in 6 difference languages which are: English, Spanish, Vietnamese, French, Danish and Russian.
ESTABLISHMENT OF COLLECTIVE MANAGEMENT ORGANISATIONS
IPOPNG is in the process of finalizing a draft Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Regulation which will facilitate the establishment of Collective Management Organisations.
IPOPNG is aware of the important role Collective Management Organisations (CMOs) will play in the effective management and enforcement of copyright and neighbouring rights works, thus has undertaken the task of drafting a regulation which will regulate and administer their activities. The draft is in the final stages and should be ready to be submitted to the NEC this year (2008).