The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has partnered with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) to officially launch the ASEAN Intellectual Property Registration Book on August 20, 2023. This new online platform serves as a centralized information portal that consolidates up-to-date intellectual property-related data from all 10 ASEAN member countries.

This service can be accessed through the ASEAN Intellectual Property Portal, which already features other useful services such as the ASEAN Geographical Indication Database and the ASEAN Intellectual Property Jurisprudence. One of the main features of the Intellectual Property Registration Book is its ability to provide a unique central portal that allows users to access a comprehensive range of intellectual property data from ASEAN member states, facilitating intellectual property searches, particularly for patents, industrial designs, and trademarks. With the ASEAN Intellectual Property Registration Book being one of WIPO's many technical projects, the entire process should be smooth and user-friendly.

Benoît Tardy, Intellectual Property Business Advisor at the Southeast Asia Intellectual Property Small and Medium Enterprises Service Center, stated that "Currently, it is difficult for ASEAN member states to conduct searches for patents, industrial designs, and trademarks as these countries are at different stages of digital development."

He continued, "While some countries like Singapore may already have an updated system that provides information in English to everyone or facilitate searches through WIPO's services (like Philippines and Brunei), others still require technical assistance to provide regularly updated data in English (such as Laos or Myanmar)." According to Tardy, accurate intellectual property data - i.e., regularly updated data - is key for intellectual property owners to make informed decisions with the help of intellectual property practitioners. The central portal will also reduce the time and effort required for searches.

However, he emphasized that intellectual property experts must conduct the searches as they need to analyze the search results. With the latest and accurate intellectual property data, intellectual property owners will be better equipped to file their applications as the search results will help them identify potential obstacles to successful registration of their intellectual property rights (by detecting prior rights and avoiding any infringement).

Tardy added, "This could also encourage ASEAN member states to update their databases more frequently, increase data exchange between intellectual property offices, and provide comprehensive online services in English. Overall, it could potentially accelerate the digitalization process of intellectual property offices, especially in terms of online intellectual property applications. According to WIPO's statistics, between 2012 and 2022, the number of intellectual property applications in ASEAN has skyrocketed, with patent and industrial design applications increasing by 70% and 80%, respectively, and trademark applications increasing by 110%. When taking into account the pandemic period, these statistics are even more impressive."

Tardy added, "Simplifying patent, trademark, and design searches would increase efficiency and facilitate intellectual property owners who are already operating in the region, while also encouraging foreign direct investment in ASEAN member states. The collaboration between ASEAN and WIPO aims to establish an 'Intellectual Property Center of Excellence'. Perhaps this will pave the way for future development of a regional patent or trademark system."