Enhancing Intellectual Property Rights Competence and Cooperation in Russia (St. Petersburg), Finland, Denmark and Sweden

This project is based on the outcomes of on-going Nordic-Russian cooperation, started in the framework of a project “Promoting Intellectual Property Protection and Related Awareness Raising in SPb - Joint Cooperation Project between Finland, Denmark and the City of St. Petersburg, Russia” (2005–2006). Main outputs of the project were a thorough study on the state of the art of the IPR system in SPb, seminars and joint meetings on the most actual topics on IPR, as well as establishment of an IPR network involving key IPR actors in SPb.

According to the project results, the prevailing problem in the Russian IPR system is inefficient enforcement of laws and increasing counterfeit problems. Particularly foreign, but increasingly also Russian companies and their branded products are experiencing counterfeit problems, trademark and copyright infringements. Furthermore, the project demonstrated that some of the main challenges in developing IPR system in SPb include insufficient cross-sectoral and international cooperation and networking between key IPR actors and inadequate competence of IPR experts in many sectors.

It was also noticed that low level of competence to protect intellectual property rights is a problem shared by Russian and Nordic SMEs. Efficient use of the IPR system and instruments is a challenge particularly for SMEs due to inadequate competence, knowledge and resources. This question is especially acute in IPR sensitive business sectors, e.g. ICT, biotechnology, music and film industry. Neither in Russia nor in the Nordic countries is extensive education on IPR and intellectual property (IP) management included systematically in higher education programmes. Nordic-Russian cooperation and networking on promoting regional IPR system can be seen as an effective tool both in developing local and ultimately national IPR and innovation support systems as well as in enhancing business competitiveness of local companies abroad. Furthermore, well-functioning IPR system in SPb increases the possibilities and will of Nordic companies to enter Russian market.

This project aims at increasing coordinated cooperation between key IPR actors within the city of SPb and between partner regions through concrete and practical joint activities. Collaboration between all key IPR actors in SPb will create a sustainable framework for IPR and innovation development in SPb that will enhance the development of an efficient regional IPR system. The project will increase capacities of local IPR actors in developing IPR protection system, enforcement practices, IPR utilisation, IPR education as well as related information distribution. Providing opportunities to exchange experiences and lessons learnt benefits all partner regions in their similar efforts. Active collaboration between authorities, universities and business as well as strong international networking, are essential elements of the solid performance of IPR system.

The project will be able to utilise the agreements made between the national patent offices of Russia, Denmark, Sweden and Finland, as well as the existing IPR network from the previous project. The project is supported and co-financed by the Nordic Council of Ministers and Ministry of Employment and the Economy of Finland (previous Ministry of Trade and Industry of Finland). The Baltic Institute of Finland is responsible for overall coordination of the project, and local coordination is provided by the Committee on Economic Development, Industrial Policy and Trade of the City of St. Petersburg.