WIPO Opened Office in Japan
World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) opened its office in Japan on September 1, 2006. Japan office is the WIPO’s fifth office following Washington DC, New York, Brussels, and Singapore.
According to the Japan Patent Office, there is a controversy over whether the current intellectual property system and degree of protection afforded to right owners should be reevaluated. Developed countries and developing countries have different opinions on the effect intellectual property systems have on economic growth in developing countries, resulting in a conflict at times. WIPO has set up the Japan office to provide academic studies related to issues of intellectual property and economic growth of developing countries. At its headquarters in Tokyo, the United Nations University has established a think tank to collaborate with WIPO on research into new problems concerning intellectual property.