Together We Can: Approaches to Empowering Women in IP

The intellectual property (IP) gender gap is a real problem; only around 16 percent of patent applications filed through WIPO's Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) are from women, leaving countless brilliant minds and their ideas untapped. WIPO estimates that at current rates, gender parity among PCT-listed inventors will not be achieved before 2064. By taking action now to enable and support women innovators, we can unlock their potential for innovation, strengthen IP and innovation ecosystems and drive economic growth. Notwithstanding the enormity of the challenge, there are signs of progress. We see a growing number of exciting developments within the fields of innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship involving concerted action to engage more women in the business of innovation and creativity. For example, multiple national IP offices around the globe are rolling out initiatives aimed at supporting women in their IP journey. These initiatives share a common goal, namely, to enable women’s participation in the IP system by offering fee reductions and free legal assistance for the preparation and submission of patent applications. Multiple national IP offices around the globe are rolling out initiatives aimed at supporting women in their IP journey. Multiple national IP offices around the globe are rolling out initiatives aimed at supporting women in their IP journey. Examples include the Juana Patent and Juana Design Protection Incentive Program (JPIP) of the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL), which is helping women inventors and designers protect and enforce their IP rights. Similarly, in India, the Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs, and Trade Marks (CGPDTM) offers an 80 percent fee reduction to start-ups and women entrepreneurs. In the United States, the Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has reduced its fees for small and micro entities by 60 percent and 80 percent, respectively. Moreover, the USPTO's Pro Bono Program provides free legal assistance to inventors and small businesses, many of which are women-led, making it easier for them to bring their ideas to the market. And in Mexico, through its Mujeres Innovadoras program, the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (IMPI) offers women a variety of resources, including skills-building, mentoring and other training opportunities to help them add value to, and commercialize, their innovative technologies. A world where women everywhere can pursue their passion for science and technology