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UK and Mexico sign agreement on intellectual property and growth

The new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will improve international cooperation between the two nations on issues involving copyright, patents…

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

The new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will improve international cooperation between the two nations on issues involving copyright, patents, trade marks and designs.

Minister for Intellectual Property Baroness Wilcox said:

“This agreement will allow the UK and Mexico to share best practice in areas such as enforcing intellectual property rights and to address the issue of global patent application backlogs. It will also support SMEs looking to protect their rights in Mexico and the UK, giving them the best opportunity to grow their business and boost the economy.

“Mexico is an influential voice on issues of intellectual property in Latin America. The Government is building links with international partners to encourage the growth of innovative business across the globe.”

Director General of IMPI, Dr. Rodrigo Roque said:

“We are excited to start our cooperation links with the UK on intellectual property matters. The execution of this MOU underlines our strong commitment to contribute to intellectual property rights enforcement, not only at a national level but also in the international field, particularly with landmark offices such as UK IPO.

“In the midst of a globalised era, it is imperative for Governments to jointly collaborate on common understandings such as innovation. We are certain that this partnership will enrich our IP systems, and will benefit IP stakeholders in both economies.”

The agreement follows the UK Government’s acceptance of the recommendations made in the Hargreaves Review of Intellectual Property and Growth; a focal point of the Government’s Growth Review set out in the 2011 Budget.

The Review highlighted that the UK should continue to pursue international interests in intellectual property. This MoU will provide support for businesses in the UK and help them to achieve their growth potential overseas, benefiting the UK economy.

The UK’s International Strategy for Intellectual Property set out how the UK would do this, including building key bilateral partnerships.

The agreement was signed today (24 October) in Mexico City by the General Director of the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property, Dr. Rodrigo Roque and witnessed by David Frost, Head of Trade Policy at the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills. The IPO’s Chief Executive John Alty had pre-signed the agreement in the UK.

Notes to editors:


  1. The title of the agreement is; Memorandum of understanding concerning industrial property between the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property of the United Mexican States and the United Kingdom Intellectual Property Office.**
  2. The purpose of the memorandum, as set out in the document states: The objective of this Memorandum of Understanding is to establish a global and flexible mechanism for developing and furthering the cooperation activities between the Participants in the industrial property field and information technology services.**
  3. The understanding is valid for three years and will be automatically renewed for successive periods of three years unless one of the participants terminates the agreement. **
  4. The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) is within the Department for Business, Innovation, and Skills (BIS) and is responsible for the national framework of Intellectual Property rights, comprising patents, designs, trade marks and copyright.**
  5. Its role is to help manage an IP system that encourages innovation and creativity, balances the needs of consumers and users, promotes strong and competitive markets and is the foundation of the knowledge-based economy.**
  6. It operates in a national and an international environment and its work is governed by national and international law, including various international treaties relating to Intellectual Property (IP) to which the United Kingdom is a party.**
  7. For further information, please contact Dan Palmer on 0207 215 5303 or e-mail **dan.palmer@bis.gsi.gov.uk.**
  8. BIS’s online newsroom contains the latest press notices, speeches, as well as video and images for download. It also features an up to date list of BIS press office contacts. See http://www.bis.gov.uk/newsroom for more information.

Notes to Editors

Contact Information

Name BIS Press Office Job Title

Division COI Phone

Fax

Mobile

Email NDS.BIS@coi.gsi.gov.uk

Name Dan Palmer Job Title

Division Department for Business, Innovation and Skills Phone 020 7215 5303 Fax

Mobile

Email dan.palmer@bis.gsi.gov.uk

Published 24 October 2011