The Department of Intellectual Property signs MoU with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. 

16 June 2020, Thimphu: A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for bilateral cooperation in the area of intellectual property (IP) was signed between the Department of Intellectual Property (DoIP) and the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The MoU is signed with the objective to strengthen and formalize the ongoing cooperation activities in the area of intellectual property between the DoIP and the USPTO. This initiative is in line with its 12th Five Year Plan programs as well as the National Intellectual Property Policy, 2018.  

The DoIP and USPTO began collaborating in the area of IP since 2012 mainly on capacity development, specialized training and related activities. However, the lack of formal cooperation between the two agencies until now has limited the scope of such activities to an ad-hoc and piecemeal basis. Therefore,  the MoU is envisaged to further strengthen the existing cooperation by implementing the activities in a more planned, structured and organized manner.

Some of the expected results of the MoU are:

• Organization of conferences, symposia, seminars, workshops and roundtables focused on the role of IP in promoting innovation and economic growth; acquisition, use, protection and enforcement of IP; and IP education/public awareness campaigns; 
• Training of patent, trademark and design examiners;
• Exchange of IP-related, non-confidential information and best practices; and
• Any other activities as agreed by both the parties within the framework of bilateral cooperation.

The Department of Intellectual Property
Ministry of Economic Affairs