“No Ongoing Programs Yet With ZIPO”: USPTO Open To Partnership With Zimbabwe IP Office

By Ross Moyo

Is the US working with Zimbabwe’s IP office? Not yet, but the door is open.

Ross Moyo, of TechnoMag Zimbabwe participation in yesterday’s digital press briefing with Katherine Hiner of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office opened the world to hidden truths.
Ms. Hiner spoke about the IP for Growth initiative and the role of intellectual property protection in supporting Africa’s creative economy. She highlighted how intellectual property serves as a catalyst for growth and provides a foundation for creativity, investment, and economic opportunity :

“Your biography mentions capacity building for patent and trademark examiners. Are there ongoing programs with ZIPO, and what’s been the impact so far?”

Hiner said: “We don’t have any ongoing partnerships right now with ZIPO. But we are always here to hear from the offices and stakeholders in each country. One model we just launched is the Accelerated Patent Grant agreement. We signed the first APG in Africa with Ghana in July at WIPO in Geneva. It streamlines review for offices with few examiners.”

She said the USPTO is ready to collaborate with ZIPO on training and capacity building.