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INVENTORS HAVE THEIR WORD
following the lecture of Dr. Farag Moussa, IFIA President,
on the idea of a
WORLD PATENT
Last Update: December 21, 2002
Timo Kivi-Koskinen and Riitta Vartia
President and Executive Director
Federation of Finnish Inventor's Associations (KEKE)
May 29, 2001We would like
to express our warm thanks to you for having accepted our invitation and taken the time
and trouble to come to Finland (
). It goes without saying that your outstanding
presentation was very much appreciated. We noted the interest your presentation aroused in
the audience and the discussions we had later on confirmed that our Finnish Patent Office
(Deputy Director General Pekka Launis), Industry (Metso Co.), and of course the inventors,
definitely share your view. Some younger inventors like Matti Reinikainen, whom you met,
came to say that we should get to "paradise" much sooner since most inventions
today are produced for a global market and thus need immediate global protection.
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Brent Rattan
Member of the Inventors Association of Trinidad and Tobago (IATT)
Inventors associations,
individual inventors and innovators, scientists, developers of new ideas and technologies,
users of copyrights and patents
it is about time we get together and strongly
support the President of IFIA. And as I have said before in a letter to the Prime Minister
of Trinidad and Tobago, we should have ONE PATENT recognized internationally.
Eduardo
Sabat-Garibaldi
President, Uruguay Association of Inventors
May 31, 2001
In my opinion, your lecture in
Helsinki summarizes the ideals of all the inventors of the world. I wonder what would
happen if all the inventors get together and sign a document asking the governments to
make a single law. This may be difficult to put into practice and perhaps a better
solution would be for the world wide associations to sign it.
Another idea would be to get the
money to pay the different fees in the process of obtaining a patent from the money the
patented product generates. For example : The factory that makes a patented product pays a
small percentage to the new patent system in order to obtain the money for paying the
fees.
Another idea I have is that
patent examinors should look in detail with a real professional compromise into the
previous patented items of the same category and choose only those that seem to overlap
the new invention and not to include nearly the whole category to which the new invention
belongs as it is very often done nowadays causing the inventors to spend lots of money.
Well, Farag, to protect
inventors we have to invent a new patent system. Of course the term World Patent is much
better and clear than Global Patent System.
Joachim Bader
Vice-President, German Inventors' Association (DEV)
June 7, 2001
Congratulations. Your lecture
was a pragmatic approach to the subject, including a program and a vision for the future.
[Translation from French]
Ms. Nicole-Livia ATUDOSIEI and Ms Elena STEFANESCU
Lecturer and Reader, Bucharest Bioterra University (Romania)
July 18, 2001
We have read the paper written by you regarding the World Patent. I think
it's a brilliant idea and an easy way for us, the inventors, to be known all over the
world, and our inventions to be recognised by each country. For sure, having you in front
of our team, the Governments will hear our voice, the voice of inventors, because the
future belongs to us, belongs to the new ideas and techniques for a better, safe and
beautiful life on Earth. You can count on our support, so I can tell you that for sure
"the inventors are ready for a World Patent".
Dr.
Csaba SZÁNTAY
President, Association of the Hungarian Inventors
Professor, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, member of the Hungarian
Academy of Sciences
August 17, 2001
I read your lecture with great interest. I am convinced that the topic is very timely, and
is very much worth to discuss with as many experts as possible. As you say, "it is
not a dream", it can be realized, although not in the near future. In mathematics, we
often use the expression "successive approximation". That can be the case also
with a "World Patent". Perhaps the emerging "Euroland" can be the
first place where a common patent court can be established, and slowly taking over the
tasks of national courts. Anyway, I congratulate you, and IFIA for undertaking this
important task and fight against conservative views. You can rely on me. I wish you, as a
leader of IFIA, success in this war which is winnable in the long run.
Dr. András
VEDRES
Secretary General, Association of Hungarian Inventors (MAFE)
August 18, 2001
A majority of inventions are the creation of independent inventors. But these
cannot afford the high cost of a worldwide protection for their invention. They are only
able to pay for the protection of their invention in their own country. Thus their
inventions become common property all over the world, except in their native country. As a
result of all this, many independent inventors keep their inventions in their
drawers
and produce nothing, a fact which is certainly not in the interest of
mankind.
What mankind needs is a simple and cheap world patent.
IFIA, in this respect, is on the frontline struggling against the forces of backwardness
which would like to maintain the present international patent system - these forces are
the multinationals and the majority of patent attorneys and national patent offices.
We know that the battle will be long and tough because the enemy is strong and rich. But
we, inventors, will be the winners. The day will come for sure when a world patent will
see the light !
Dr. Hassane
Idrissa SOULEY
President of the Association for the Promotion of Invention
and Innovation of Niger (ANPII)
August 20, 2001
English translation by IFIA,
followed by original in French
I welcome the proposed reform of
the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) the ultimate goal of which would be to reduce the
transaction costs and simplify the procedures. It would enable independent inventors and
innovative small and medium sized entreprises - that are very often short financially, but
intellectually prolific -, to better protect their creations from piracy of those big
firms always on the watch for new ideas without being willing to pay the price to their
genuine owners.
Inventors from developing countries are in an even worse situation than those from
developed countries. They have neither the financial means, nor sufficient information in
order to be oriented in the complexity of the laws concerning the protection of inventions
at both the national and international levels. Even the present 75% reduction of some PCT
fees, which is offered to them, is not sufficient. Imagine that just one PCT fee,
qualified as "designation fee" (of States where protection is seeked), is
already more than four times higher than the monthly salary of a high level employee in
many African countries! An astronomic amount! Furthermore, the complexity of the PCT
system which - as IFIA President, Dr. Farag Moussa, has stressed - is such that even
patent office specialists are at a loss!
The present protection system of inventions at the international level drives many
inventors to choose to keep their inventions secret, while others simply give up the idea
of patenting and offer their invention to humanity.
For all these reasons, we support Dr. Farag Moussa in his dream, or rather in his struggle
for the establishment of a unique and universal protection system simple in its procedure
and financially accessible to all applicants; in short a World Patent.
To conclude let me add that since such a system exists for writers and artists, why not
for inventors? After all, they all belong to the same family, all are creators.
A notre avis, une réforme du Traité de coopération en matière de brevets (PCT)
allant dans le sens d'une réduction du coût des transactions et d'une simplification des
procédures est bienvenue. Elle permettra aux inventeurs indépendants et aux petites et
moyennes entreprises innovantes - qui sont très souvent financièrement dépourvus mais
intellectuellement prolifiques -, de mieux protéger leurs oeuvres. Ils seront mis à
l'abri du piratage de leurs inventions par les grandes firmes, en quête permanente
d'idées nouvelles sans vouloir en payer le prix à leurs véritables propriétaires.
Les inventeurs du tiers monde sont encore plus démunis que ceux des pays développés.
Ils n'ont ni les moyens financiers, ni les informations suffisantes pour s'orienter dans
les méandres des lois compliquées s'appliquant à la protection des inventions à
l'échelle nationale et internationale. Même la réduction actuelle de 75% de certaines
taxes PCT, qui leur sont offertes, est insuffisante. Pensez qu'à elle seule, la taxe PCT,
dite de "désignation" (des Etats où la protection est requise), est déjà
quatre fois supérieure au salaire mensuel d'un cadre supérieur dans beaucoup d'Etats
africains ! Une somme faramineuse ! Et puis, il y a la complexité du système PCT qui,
comme l'a si bien souligné le Président de l'IFIA, le Dr. Farag Moussa, est telle que
même les spécialistes des offices de délivrance des brevets ont du mal à s'y retrouver
!
Le système actuel pour la protection d'une invention à l'échelle internationale, pousse
de nombreux inventeurs à choisir de garder leurs inventions secrètes, tandis que
d'autres se résignent tout simplement à les offrir à l'humanité.
Pour toutes ces raisons, nous soutenons le Dr. Farag Moussa dans son rêve, ou plutôt
dans son combat pour l'instauration d'un système de protection unique et universel,
simple dans la procédure et financièrement accessible aux demandeurs, bref un Brevet
mondial.
Ajoutons pour terminer que puisque ce système existe pour les écrivains et les artistes,
pourquoi pas pour les inventeurs? Car après tout, tous sont des créateurs, tous sont de
la même famille. Toute création est une invention.
Mohamed A.K. AL GHABRI
Inventor (Yemen)
September 16, 2001
I read your lecture. It is excellent. A World Patent could definitely be a step forward in
favor of all inventors. Thank you for your efforts so that one day my dream will come
true.
Prince J. S. MOMODU
President, Nigeria Association of Inventors (NAI)
September 26, 2001
I believe that when the "World Patent" will eventually come into
operation, it could become a source of relief for so many individual inventors and so many
small and medium sized innovative enterprises, all over the world, especially in Africa
and the third world countries.
Roberto L. del ROSARIO
Inventor and Entrepreneur (Philippines)
September 28, 2001
I commend your drive and leadership over the many projects of our organization. I
truly admire your efforts on the concept of The World Patent. While it has taken me some
time to mull over the concept discussed in the newsletter, finally, here are my thoughts,
which I want to share.
I realize the enormous task you are facing regarding the promotion and garnering of
acceptance of The World Patent concept. Like you mentioned in the beginning of your
lecture, how much time will it take to realize this dream? But every success begins with a
first step, and I know that you have already taken many to start building on this dream. I
have strong belief that what you are working on can be achieved. As inventors, we know how
it is to face the opposition from camps who are comfortable with routines and who become
uncomfortable with change. After all, inventions are all about change. The changes that
are invented, whether in product or service, practice or procedure, are meant to provide
betterment over what already exists. Thus, it should not be a surprise that many will
oppose this novel concept; what is important is that the cooperation and support of
individuals, institutions and the governments that can make a difference, are gained,
reliably.
There is a lot of talk about globalization and the benefits of such a concept on
countries, big and small, when it comes to trade, international relations, and so on. I am
of the opinion that the concept of a World Patent may be said to be an offshoot of the
intention to approach patents and their corresponding procedures in a global fashion. Why
not?
Coming from a third world country where government funding for the research and
development of inventions, as well as incentives to promote inventiveness is very
constrained, I fully understand the plight of inventors who start out with novel ideas
only to give up at some point because of the reality of meeting costs to fund their
research, development, and very importantly, the patent. Even the most unique and
successful ideas whose advantages benefit the world have no protection beyond the
boundaries of the country where these were conceived, developed, marketed and patented.
Truly, the whole process of patenting an invention, let alone having it suitably protected
against infringement from copycats in other countries is one of the sad plights of many
inventors. And by saying this I know I am echoing the sentiments of many who have
experienced what I have.
I am reminded of the European Union, which emerged in relatively recent years. I am sure
that there is huge complexity behind the one-Europe concept for travel, currency, systems,
approvals, etc. The World Patent concept may face similar myriad complexities, yet, the
promise it holds for inventors is also big. I am most curious about the establishment of a
World Patent Court - how this will be structured, its composition, governing rules,
policies and procedures, and operation! I agree with you, it is a real challenge! The
whole concept of The World Patent is a challenge! But the very nature of The World Patent,
from my understanding, is to foster standardization while providing inventors with an
affordable means to acquire patents as well as see to the enforcement of the patent
holder's privileges by way of protection and perhaps, at some point, gaining of
incentives.
Farag, I wholeheartedly support your concept of The World Patent! I am most excited for
you and at the same time sympathize with the gigantic task on your shoulders as you pave
the way for the realization of The World Patent dream. I know it is possible inspite of
the challenges attaining it, poses. I guess the question now is how to proceed from here?
I look forward to hearing about the developments on your novel concept and will do my best
to keep my comments and suggestions coming, as long as you welcome them. Do know that
despite my present health condition, I am still very much an inventor at heart and in
mind, and an avid IFIA supporter as well.
Mr Tamaz A. SHILAKADZE
President. Association of Inventors and Rationalizators of Georgia
October 3, 2001
Having read a translation of your lecture on the idea of a World Patent, the members of
our Association are of the opinion that it is absolutely necessary to consider this idea
seriously and to support it. Personally, as an inventor, I regard the approach of IFIA
concerning a world patent as sound, correct and far reaching. Why? Hereafter are a few
reasons that come to my mind.
I am convinced that every inventor should be reassured. He should be sure that his
invention is novel. With a unique world patent there should not be in principle two same
inventions which are patented, and all new inventions will be more easily known all around
the world. Every inventor invests a lot of energy in his work, and by not doing the same
research already undertaken by others in the same field, he is not wasting time, a time he
could use in working on another invention.
In my view, if such a system is adopted the number and quality of inventions around the
world will increase.
A World Patent will not deprive the country of origin of its intellectual capabilities -
there will be less brain drain. It will encourage inventors to use the patent system to
protect their inventions not only in their country, but also in foreign markets.
Of course we cannot at this stage decide on the form which such a World Patent could take.
We could, for instance, develop the PCT system into a PCT patent, valid in all PCT member
States. What we can do at this point is to initiate the process by exchanging views and
ideas and giving thought to it, as IFIA President himself has done and encouraged us to
do.
Dr Alberto BARBAGALLO
Inventor and Surgeon (Argentina)
October 7, 2001
English translation by IFIA, followed by original in Spanish
Your proposal of establishing a single world patent recognised in all the world seems
excellent and the way you presented the concept is perfectly clear. (
) Your idea is
the true mirror of our own conviction. I applaud your efforts and thank you.
"Vuestra propuesta de patente mundial unica me parece exelente y sus conceptos
muy claros. (
) Yo creo que su pensamiento es fiel reflejo de nuestro pensamiento es
por eso el aplauso y la gratitud"
Dr D. Ekotto MENGATA
President, Cameroon Association of inventors and innovators (CAII)
October 25, 2001
English translation by IFIA, followed by original in French
Some see the inventor as a dreamer. If dreamer, the inventor nevertheless works for
the cause of humanity. Just like the writer, but the writer has always had his creation
better protected than that of the inventor.
The patent system still remains a complicated and expensive system for the inventor who is
often robbed of his rights.
I support the proposal of Dr. Farag Moussa, President of IFIA, in relation to the ongoing
PCT Reform process. A unique patent, valid in all countries would establish at last a fair
balance between the protection of literary works and that of inventions.
L'inventeur, certes est un rêveur selon certains, mais c'est un rêveur qui oeuvre
pour l'humanité toute entière, tout comme l'écrivain, mais il faut l'avouer,
l'écrivain a de tout temps, ses oeuvres mieux protégées que celles de ce rêveur.
Le système des brevets demeure à ce jour compliqué et très onéreux pour l'inventeur,
qui très souvent est dépouillé de son oeuvre.
La réforme proposée par Dr. Farag Moussa, président de l'IFIA, en matière de PCT, dans
le sens d'un brevet unique, valable dans tous les pays du monde, n'est que
l'établissement d'un juste équilibre de reconnaissance entre la protection des oeuvres
littéraires et artistiques et celle de la propriété industrielle.
James BILOUS
Inventor, Vancouver (Canada)
October 29, 2001
As a new inventor in the research and marketing phase of developement, I
think it would be much more efficient and give inventors much more protection to have a
world wide patent.
Mr Cordell LUNDAHL
Inventor and Entrepreneur (USA)
November 9, 2001
The business of keeping current with patents all over the world is getting to be
too much of a problem even for me. The maintenance fees are especially hard to track. I
have spent over $25,000 per year to date for non-protected patents. When dealing with
international lawyers, you end up with not much more than legal bills. In fact, I am
considering dropping most of my patents - both foreign and domestic.
A centralized patent system would be beneficial to independent patent holders and would
help them to do business all over the world by having one patent office to deal with.
Mr Eduardo R. FERNANDEZ
President of the Argentine Inventors Association
November 20, 2001
Original English and Spanish
On behalf of the Argentine inventors, I wish to express our deepest recognition and
support for your excellent lecture regarding the World Patent, and your wonderful task and
vision in favor of independent inventors worldwide. Congratulations!
En nombre de los inventores argentinos, deseo expresarle nuestro más profundo
reconocimiento y apoyo, por su excelente presentación in relatión con la Patente
Mundial, y su maravillosa tarea y visión a favor de los inventores independientes en todo
el mundo. ¡Felicitaciones!
Dr Mohammed Al Ameer Babiker SANHOURI
President, Inventors Association of Sudan
December 17, 2001
My personal experience and that of the Sudanese inventors is that the present system for
protecting our inventions in several countries is extremely complicated and unaffordable.
Even with the 75% reduction of certain official fees offered by the PCT system to
independent inventors of certain countries, including Sudan, no more than 2 or 3 out of
the 217 members of our Association were able to use the PCT system of international patent
filing. All the others are totally outside the international patent system and their
inventions are therefore not protected all around the world, with the exception of Sudan.
I see only one solution, the one proposed by IFIA President : a single patent that would
cover the world, a World Patent, provided it is affordable to all inventors in the world.
This is an urgent problem which needs to be solved very quickly.
Prof. Dr. Gorgi FILIPOV
President of The Union of Inventors and Authors of
Technical Improvements of Macedonia.
January 11, 2002
The idea of establishing a World Patent System is very welcomed. Even more, this
idea has to become, as soon as possible, a project. A project which has to be worked out
with joint forces, all together (inventors, applicants, patent attorneys and governments).
A good base for the new system of a World Patent could be the already existing PCT -
system managed inside WIPO. The regulations of the patent rights, their protection, and
the promotion of the patent system and invention activities will be carried out by the
national patent authorities. The process of incoming World Patent has to begin gradually.
There will be a period of 20 (or more) years in which both patent systems (national and
world) will coexist.
The annuities for the maintenance of the patent rights should be paid at one place (on the
account of Headquarters). Afterwards it will be distributed through the headquarters to
the national and regional patent offices (as a percentage of the whole amount).
The system of the world patent will be governed by one institution, but there will exist
several regional centers with separate duties and obligations.
A world center for mediation and arbitration has to be established. Of course, the World
Patent Court should also exist. The Court will have more levels - opposition, appeal and
Supreme Court. And many, many things, which follow this big project should be done.
Though, the biggest thing is that the governments of the biggest countries of the world
have to agree on this big idea - The World Patent.
Mr. Zenon LOPEZ
Inventor (USA)
February 4, 2002
I love the idea, it will let us spend more time inventing other then hiring lawyers and
spending money that we don't have on them. You have my total support.
Mr Hussein HUJIC
Secretary General
Inventors Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina (SIBIH)
February 7, 2002
English translation by IFIA, followed by original in French
If only IFIA had the power to turn on and off the "tap of ideas", just the way
OPEC does with the tap of oil ! Just imagine. What would happen if the inventors who
invest in ideas suddenly refused to supply the world with their inventions, to invest
their knowledge, their time, their energy, and last but not least their money in a new
idea (an investment full of uncertainty as to its succes as is always the case with ideas)
? The world would become infertile.
The concept of world globalization is very much in fashion. It will have no future if it
keeps setting up obstacles to the most precious gift man has to offer to humanity which is
his capacity to create and to invent.
That is why our deep gratitude goes to the President of IFIA, Dr Farag Moussa, for his
enduring struggle in favor of a single patent, THE patent, ONE patent only: THE WORLD
PATENT.
Ah Si seulement l'IFIA avait le pouvoir d'ouvrir et de fermer à sa guise le
"robinet à idées", comme le fait l'OPEP avec le robinet du pétrole!
Imaginons, en effet, que le "investisseurs en idées" que sont les inventeurs
refusent tout à coup d'approvisionner le monde en inventions, refusent d'investir leur
savoir, leur temps, leur énergie, leur argent enfin, dans une idée, dans l'incertitude
que représente toujours une idée? Le monde se fanerait, infertile. Et quel cauchemar
pour les investisseurs: où iraient-ils placer leur argent?!
Globalisation. Globalisation mondiale. Ils n'ont que ce mot à la bouche. Or cette
politique n'a aucun sens, aucun avenir si elle persiste à dresser autant d'obstacles
insurmontables face à ce que l'homme a de plus précieux à offrir à l'humanité, et ce
partout sur la planète : sa capacité à créer, sa capacité à inventer.
Nous ne pouvons donc qu'être infiniment reconnaissant au président de l'IFIA, Dr Farag
Moussa, pour son infatigable plaidoyer en faveur DU brevet, LE brevet, un SEUL brevet : LE
BREVET MONDIAL.
Dr. Amah GNASSINGBE
President
Association togolaise pour la promotion
des inventions, innovations et de la création (ATOPIIC)
February 8, 2002
English translation by IFIA, followed by original in French.
I fully support the idea of a World Patent. Indeed, with such a patent the inventor will
not only be able to make a single international application without unnecessary
formalities, but also, and more important, obtain a worldwide protection of his invention
rapidly.
J'apporte mon soutien total à l'idée d'un brevet mondial. En effet, avec un tel
brevet l'inventeur pourra non seulement déposer une seule demande internationale sans
trop de formalités inutiles, mais aussi, et surtout, obtenir rapidement une protection au
niveau mondial de son invention.
Mr Wouter PYZEL
Managing Director
Dutch Inventors Association (NOVU)
February 11, 2002
Having a World Patent is a logical follow-up of existing systems. The market now-a-days is
not only Europe or the US. Distances are getting less important. All together reasons to
start thinking of a World Patent. It is just part of the globalisation! Every year that
people are waiting to establish such a World Patent is a waste of time and money.
Dr Costas NEOCLEOUS
President
Cyprus Designers and Inventors Association
February 14, 2002
We fully enforce the effort to gradually develop and implement a WORLD PATENT. Such a
result will greatly enhance the overall process of innovation, in both the development and
the application.
M. Mohamed BOUDEGGA
Président
Association Tunisienne des Inventeurs (ATI)
February 20 2002
English translation by IFIA, followed by original in French.
Our association of inventors (ATI) fully supports the intention of IFIA President to
promote the creation of a World Patent, universal (as in the case of copyright) and single
for the whole world.
The present patent system for the protection of inventions favors inventors - innovators
working in the most advanced countries. For these countries have the possibility to stand
up for the rights of their countrymen. The case of Microsoft is a typical example. It has
established agents in most of the countries of the world, so as to force all the users of
its programs to use original copies only.
The solution proposed by Mr Moussa, President of IFIA, takes into account the right of
national administrations to better organize and control the development of this sector of
activity at the national level, while at the same time it would adopt a harmonized or
uniform system at the international level. This approach of IFIA President seems to us
advisable if not even promising. In this respect, the development of some of the
government administrations in Tunisia, like the National Institute for Standardization and
Industrial Property (INNORPI) - which is responsible for this sector and which is more and
more interested in the international aspect, is a good sign for invention-innovation.
The attention given personally by the President of the Republic of Tunisia to the sector
of invention-innovation is a major indication. We see such references in his important
speeches and their regular follow-up. For instance, he announced an increase in the amount
allocated to research - invention to 1% of the GNP, and he encouraged the private sector
to fully engage itself so that this objective can be reached. The President also created a
Ministry for Scientific Research and Technology, thus upgrading the former State
Secretariat, precisely to give the means for the achievement of his ambitions.
In brief, everything in Tunisia seems to integrate successfully the approach of IFIA
concerning patents.
La Tunisie a opté très tôt pour la libéralisation économique et pour son
intégrration dans la mondialisation. Notre association d'inventeurs, L'ATI, a entrepris
depuis quelques années des actions s'inscrivant dans ce nouveau cadre.
Ayant eu connaissance du projet du Président de l'IFIA consistant à promouvoir la
création d'un Brevet Mondial universel au même titre que le droit d'auteur, unique dans
le monde entier, l'ATI ne peut que le soutenir à fond.
Le systeème actuel de protection des inventions au moyen des brevets profite, en effet,
aux inventeurs-innovateurs travaillant dans les pays les plus développés, puisque ces
derniers disposent de moyens leur permettant de défendre leurs intérêts pour protéger
le droit de leurs concitoyens. L'exemple de Microsoft qui vient de créer une
représentation dans la plupart des pays du monde dans le but de contraindre tous les
utilisateurs de ses logiciels à utiliser des copies originales en est la preuve
concrète.
La procédure évolutive préconisée par Monsieur Moussa, Président de l'IFIA,
consistant à réserver un droit de regard aux organismes nationaux pour mieux organiser
et controler l'évolution de ce secteur au niveau national, tout en veillant à appliquer
une approche tendant vers l'uniformisation à l'échelle internationale, nous semble
opportune, voire prometteuse. Là aussi, l'évolution de certains organismes en Tunisie
tels que l'INNORPI, l'Institut National de la Normalisation et de la Propriété
Industrielle, qui sont en charge de ce secteur et qui s'ouvrent de plus en plus sur
l'international, est de bon augure pour l'invention-innovation en Tunisie.
D'ailleurs, signe majeur : le Président de la République Tunisienne lui même accorde à
ce secteur de l'invention-innovation des passages importants dans ses discours
évènementiaux et un suivi de tous les instants. Il a ainsi déclaré le relèvement de
la part réservée à la recherche invention à 1% du PNB et incité le secteur privé à
s'y investir. Il vient aussi de doter le secteur par un Ministère de la Recherche
Scientifique et de la Technologie en place d'un Secrétariat d'Etat, et ce justement pour
lui fournir les moyens de ses ambitions.
En somme tout semble concourir en Tunisie pour intégrer l'approche de l'IFIA en matière
de brevets avec réussite.
Dr. Jose Luis Perez DIAZ
Professor and Inventor (Spain)
February 20, 2002
I am a mechanical engineer and Ph. D. in physics, University professor, entrepreneur and
mainly an inventor who has spent lot of money and time on patent fees and documents
I have four patented inventions, and lots of ideas
but these will be kept for myself
because I don't want to spend any more money on fees.
I suppose any independent inventor understands my problem and knows the way patent offices
have become offices to stop, confuse, ruin and tier any inventor.
Thank you Mr. Moussa and good luck with your fight in favor of a World Patent. Bravo!
Engr. Benjamin S. SANTOS
National President
Filipino Inventors Society (FIS)
February 26, 2002
Dear Dr. Farag Moussa. After reading your lecture on World Patent, we strongly believe
that your idea of a world patent is pro-inventor, pro-intellectual property as well as
pro-humanity.
Your lecture is as clear as water under the bridge since your idea of world
patent will surely boost the ego of each and every inventor in the world in tems of
financial capacity, huge savings of time and effort to patent their invention in over 200
countries, etc., etc., etc.
In view of the above reasons, we, the Filipino Inventors Society (FIS), which is a member
of the Executive Committee of the IFIA, and also being the oldest, most prestigious, most
numbered inventors in the Philippines today, strongly support the idea of a world patent
as envisioned by our beloved president of the IFIA.
Dr. Sungu BAZOGLU
President
Association of Turkish Inventors
February 26, 2002
Dr. Moussa, you gave a very good explanation about World Patent. This system
would be the best solution to eliminate many kinds of difficulties that inventors face so
that they can invent easily whatever they want. I therefore support your idea with all my
heart. You have done the best thing one can do in the field of invention for the benefit
of inventors. I am very thankful to you on my behalf and on behalf of the Turkish
inventors.
Here are my views concerning the World Patent:
1) The PCT patent system is a good solution. But it is not sufficient to solve the
problems of inventors. Inventors will still have to pay fees in every state where they
seek protection; that causes immense spending of money.
2) Today there are nearly 200 countries in the world. But not all the countries have
signed the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property (hereafter Paris
Convention) and the Patent Cooperation Treaty (hereafter PCT). In the countries that have
not signed the Paris Convention and the PCT, any producer with big capital can easily
steal an international protected invention and can make mass production without any
license agreement. That means that in practice the Paris Convention and the PCT are not
able to protect inventions worldwide. That means individual inventors are working for
another clever, cunning and rich person and don't get money for their inventions; while
the thieves of the inventions earn money. Therefore the existing industrial property
system must be changed immediately and a World Patent System must be established as soon
as possible.
3) High patent fees, much money for the patent attorneys and other heavy expenses and long
periods of examinations, which take many years, discourage inventors to invent. Through
the World Patent where the cost of patenting will be minimal, hopefully, the inventors
will feel free to invent. The result will be that mankind will profit more from new
inventions and life will be easier and happier.
4) The Paris Convention also requires that states must impose the same fees to the
inventors of all the countries who have signed the Paris Convention. That is the biggest
obstacle for many inventors to invent. As states prefer to get high fees from the
inventors coming from the rich countries, the poor inventor must pay the same high fees.
And because the poor inventors from underdeveloped or developing countries have not so
much money, they give up inventing and the country suffers of lack of national inventions.
That makes their country become a colony of technology from developed countries. The
adoption of a world patent system may take time; five or ten years, perhaps more. During
that time, till the establishment of World Patent system, every state must introduce some
changes in the field of patent fees. The national income per capita could be a good basis
for establishing the equality of the patent fees, as requested by the Paris Convention.
For example if an inventor pays for a patent fee 1/300 of his national income per capita,
the inventor from an underdeveloped or developing country should also have to pay only
1/300 of his national income per capita. That will be a just solution. But today one
cannot speak of justice re the payment of patent fees. Nowadays, an inventor from a
country with 2.000 US dollar of national income per capita must pay the same fee (for
example 200 dollar), as the inventor from a country with 24.000 US dollar national income
per capita. 200 dollar is 1/10 of the national income per capita of developing countries;
but 1/120 of the national income of developed countries. An inventor pays 1/120 of his
income for the fee; another inventor pays 1/10 of his income for the same fee. The
difference is more than ten times. That is not equal and not just.
5) All national patent laws must include a "Grace Period" system like in the USA
and more than twenty other countries, period during which the inventor can show his
invention without destroying its novelty, and therefore preserving the right to obtain a
patent. Further, nowadays the inventor must wait about two or three years, perhaps more,
till the end of the novelty examination: He cannot make mass production of his invention,
till he gets the patent; and in the meantime the technology will become old. So the time
of the examination must be reduced.
6) The writers have more advantages than the inventors in Turkey. The patent law protects
a patent only during 7 - 10 or 20 years. But a work of a writer will be protected till 75
years after the death of a writer in Turkey. Writers do not have to pay fees for novelty
examination, nor annual fees, during the period of the protection. This is also a point to
be taken into consideration for the protection of inventions.
7). When we make a comparison between the Copyright system and the Patent system,
we see that both systems are established for the protection of intellectual work or
product. But when it comes to application, there exists a big difference concerning fees.
a) Fees during the years of protection :
- An inventor has to pay immense amounts of patent fees yearly.
- A writer pays no copyright fees during the period of protection. And
in the sector of entertainment (Cinema - TV - Music) and computer software there exists no
fees during the period of protection.
b) Fees for the novelty search:
- Novelty search is obligatory to obtain patent protection for
inventions in most countries. The inventor must pay fees.
- But for getting protection of any work through the copyright system,
novelty search does not exist. And of course there are no fees.
That is not a fair system. We must not forget that the entertainment and software sector
in the USA for example ranges second in the field of export. This large export sector does
not pay any fee for copyright protection in the foreign States, while the poor inventor
must pay.
As states do not get fees during the years of copyright protection, states also should not
ask for fees from the inventors during the years of the patent protection. High sum of
fees for novelty search (thousands of dollars), must be reduced to the minimum. That seems
to us necessary to reach equal application between the two sectors of intellectual
property protection.
8) In developed countries for example in Germany, 65% of the local inventions are coming
from big and medium size enterprises, which can afford high fees. But in developing
countries 95 to 99% of the inventions are coming from independent inventors, which cannot
afford high patent fees. On the other hand there are many sponsors in rich countries, but
in developing countries, sponsor and venture capital systems do not exist, and inventors
get no support. Therefore there must be a difference between the patent fees of developed
and under developed or developing countries. Another difference of patent fees can be
thought between technical patent and fantasy patent.
Mr. Vincent KEOGHAN
Founder and past president of
Inventors Association of Ireland
March 3, 2002
I confirm my agreement with your idea that there should be a World Patent instead
of the existing system, which is too expensive and illogical in the 21st.
Century or, eliminate it !!
Since Copyright protection (one area of Intellectual Property) is so simplified World
Wide, why not the Patent system?
This matter should be urgently addressed and implemented in order to speed-up the
marketing of multiple innovative industrial property products.
It has been suggested by our National Treasurer, Mr. Paul Hallinan, that if we set up an
International fund paid by every Inventor at a cost of US $100 per Inventor (who is a
member of IFIA) that we by-pass the need for Government and, or, Private Investment stage.
That fund would return 30% royalties profit, jointly, per dollar to our inventors on each
successful invention/innovation.
How many individual inventors of IFIA would contribute to this fund? Would it help us to
succeed in the absence of the above mentioned investment areas?
Would we all benefit?
Dr. Sergey MATASOV
Independent inventor (Latvia)
March 7, 2002
I completely uphold the necessity of creating a "world patent" for the
acquisition of economic independence by the so-called independent inventors. Your analysis
of the situation is rather convincing. You are doing an important and necessary work and
You can always rely on my support.
Ms Chips KLEIN
Inventor & Entrepreneur
Co-director, Women Inventors Project (Canada)
March 8, 2002
On behalf of the Women Inventors Project and I dare say women inventors
worldwide, I wish to express support for the idea, development and establishment of a
World Patent.
The following are my reasons:
1. Reduction of fees and costs. Reducing the exorbitant costs of intellectual property,
particularly for the independent inventor, will result in many more inventions reaching
their desired markets.
2. Simplification of the whole process. Simplifying the intellectual property process will
encourage the independent inventor to take their inventions to a global marketplace.
3. Sharing the development of new ideas and products. A World Patent will result in the
original concept of intellectual property being the method for recognizing the inventor of
the idea while at the same time providing society with the knowledge to progress. After
all, it is the inventors who shape the way in which society progresses.
I trust that you will continue to forge ahead with this dream in mind.
Lic. Ana Maria PEREZ
MOLLINEDO
Vice President
Association of Inventors of Bolivia (AIB)
March 20, 2002
English translation by IFIA, followed by original in Spanish.
Our Association is extremely grateful for the important proposal made by IFIA President,
namely the creation of a World Patent. We support it even more because our country,
Bolivia, is a developing country and because we consider that a universal patent is
necessary and that its application should be achieved as soon as possible. Bolivia has not
yet adhered to the PCT, and our national inventors whose economic means are limited find
themselves unable to file patent applications in other countries of the world. A World
Patent would mainly help countries like ours and would put into action adequate mechanisms
allowing a great number of inventors to protect their inventions. For all those reasons we
ask you to keep us informed of the follow up of this question.
Nos es muy grato el referimos a esta importante propuesta, sobre la creación de la
"Patente Mundial", a la cual como institución apoyamos y al ser Bolivia un pais
en vias de desarrollo consideramos la urgente necesidad de su aplicación e
implementación. Bolivia no tiene todavia la denominada Patente PCT, y los inventores
nacionales cuyos recursos economicos son limitados, se ven imposibilitados de poder
efectuar registros en otros paises del mundo. La Patente Mundial favoreceria
principalmente a las naciones como la nuestra y permitiria agilizar la protección misma
sobre las creaciones y el tema referente a la reducción de las tasas seria el mecanismo
adecuado que permitiria que un mayor numero de inventores, protejan sus invenciones. Por
ello mucho les rogaremos nos mantengan informados sobre esta tematica.
Mr Edvin Nugis
President
Estonian Inventors Association (EIA)
April 17, 2002
The Estonian Inventors association discussed the idea proposed by IFIA President
at its monthly meetings of January, February and March 2002. The association supports this
idea which it considers to be a good idea. It is convinced that such a world patent will
be very important for inventors of small countries like Estonia which badly need to
protect their inventions in bigger markets, in several other countries. It is also
conscient that the adoption of a World Patent will take a long time.
This being said, the members of our Association highlighted the following points:
a) WIPO, the specialized agency of the United Nations for intellectual property matters,
should be the unique authority which would guarantee the protection at the world level.
b) The harmonization of the national patent laws and regulations is the only way to reach
a World Patent.
c) English should be the international working language of a World Patent.
d) The World Patent must be three times cheaper than the present cost of a European
Patent.
e) The publication of the World Patent needs an additional one month or one month and a
half to the 18 (eighteen) months rule, when it comes to applications submitted by
non-English speaking countries.
f) All applications must be done through a patent agent or attorney.
Dr. Allan INOVIUS
Inventor and Entrepreneur (Monaco)
Budapest
April 23, 2002
Your idea of a World Patent needs very much to be focused and be the subject of a
brainstorming. Every human being is like a donkey and needs a carrot to move.
The positive side of a World Patent is to overcome the barrier of costs hindering the
inventors to bring the nerve of life needed to the progress of the society. A World Patent
would also cut the administration costs and avoid errors like double paying and lapsed
patent rights.
A final idea would be that an international agreement be concluded where the inventors
have to choose between:
(a) The present patent system which is of interest to the pharmaceutical industry and some
others.
(b) A new system without national fees, namely the World patent system where the inventor
has to agree to make his /her invention available for each country connected to the world
inventors bank system, and why not via an internationally financed extended IFIA. The
inventor of this category (b) has to commit that lump sums and royalties from his/her
invention shall be shared in three parts:
- One third of incomes to the inventor.
- One third to the country where the invention will be exploited.
- The last third to be available for the administration of the World Patent system.
Logically, patent attorneys will have to be more responsible and act businesslike in favor
of the inventor. Surely the patent attorneys will gain.
I propose that we continue this brainstorming to a qualified proposal to organizations
covering National interests able to avoid patent costs and annuity fees for the inventor.
The inventions idea bank, together with the patent organization, will administrate big
money by shared profit from the inventions.
This will activate the patent attorneys interests to provide a better service to more
active inventors with a reasonable financial status. The inventors bank has to help the
inventors to select their inventions. Only useful inventions should enter the idea bank.
The rest can be proposed as design patents.
Mr. Nanda P. NARAYANA
Inventor and Entrepreneur (Sri Lanka)
April 24, 2002
A World Patent is something which inventors need and have been waiting for since
a long time. In the present globalized economy the patent system is complicated and
confusing.
From Sri Lanka, I add my support to a most important subject which was initiated by you,
President of IFIA, in the interest of inventors, the global intellectual capital builders.
My invention, Coirpack Natural Packaging System, which replaces plastic and Styrofoam by
natural waste by-product of the coconut industry, needed patent protection in over 90
countries. If there existed a World Patent the benefits would have been greater to many
nations.
A World Patent system is a MUST in a global economy. Let us join hands to see it become a
reality.
Dr. Augustine ONG
President Malaysian Invention and Design Society (MINDS)
May 30, 2002
We, in MINDS are in complete agreement on the idea of a World Patent and support
you in your efforts for fee reduction for PCT.
Virgilio L. MALANG
Chairman
Filipino Inventors Multipurpose Cooperative (FIMCOOP)
Philippines
July 4, 2002
A World Patent: The future Fruit
Dr. Farag Moussa foresees the possibility of a global patent.
Possibility, of course, is a core value to all us inventors who just seem to be at our
best and most versatile in exploring ideas that are neither obviously feasible nor totally
absurd. One way to clarify and expand the possibility for a world patent: we at IFIA can
hasten to look what happens at our respective country levels. The more possible futures we
can foresee, the more options we can create; the more options we have, the greater our
chances of finding the novel and unexpected opportunity.
Different people can help modify and improve the initial idea. Much like sculpting: You
start with a big block of marble and a concept. Others can suggest what parts of the block
can be removed or discover cracks that you must take into account before chipping away.
Then you carve the remaining marble into a final shape.
The world patent. It can be sooner than we think.
(Ms) Maila HAKALA
President Finland branch of
QUIN (Women Inventors in the Nordic Countries)
Extract of statement during the
International Conference of QUIN in Tallinn (Estonia)
August 30, 2002
The women of QUIN could be change makers in the world of inventors generally
speaking. (...) The changes in the world concern inventors, too. Dr. Farag Moussa,
President of IFIA, has launched the idea of a World Patent. Dr. Moussa is a specialist of
industrial property rights, and if he is convinced that a World Patent is possible, it
will see the light one day. We, who know how the patent system is nowadays - complicated,
slow and expensive to the inventors - cannot but welcome and support the idea of a World
Patent. The New World with no frontiers for communication makes the demand for a World
Patent necessary. We cannot but wonder how it is possible that we have gone so far and so
long without demanding a World Patent System. Of course we have to face the fact that
there will be forces resisting this new idea. A new system always disturbs somebody's
business and conventional administrative structures.
Mr. Andjelko GLAVASEVIC
Secretary General
Inventors Association of Vojvodina (Novi Sad, Yugoslavia)
October 9, 2002
The issue of a World Patent, which you pointed out, is the dream of each
inventor, but the decision about that lies on the governments of all countries and members
of WIPO, who are the most influential concerning this issue. Establishing a World Patent
will have a major influence on the development of an international human, economic and
lawful system, and that is something that is worth fighting for.
I've already started to discuss this issue in Yugoslavia and we have positive reactions
among inventors. We plan to intensively continue the promotion of this idea.
Mr. Daniel PAQUETTE
President
Inventarium (Association des inventeurs du Québec), Montreal, Canada
November 19, 2002
Concerning your crusade in favor of a World Patent,
it goes without saying that you have my full and unconditional support.
En ce qui a trait à votre croisade
pour l'obtention d'un brevet mondial,
il va de soi que vous avez mon appui inconditionnel.
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