WIPO has launched its latest World Intellectual Property Report 2011, which subject is "The Changing Face of Innovation".

Among other issues, it describes key trends in the innovation landscape - including the increasingly open, international and collaborative character of the innovation process; the causes of the increased demand for IP rights; and the rising importance of technology markets.

Against this background, the Report explores the ways in which economists' views of the IP system have evolved. Finally, it takes a closer look at collaborative innovation models, analyzing how best to balance private collaboration and competition, and how best to harness public research for innovation.

Read the full report here.

On January 1, 2012, the 10th edition of the Nice Classification will enter into force.

The ninth and current edition entered into force on January 1, 2007. The Nice classification is continuously revised by WIPO and a new edition is published every five years. Accordingly, the 10th edition of the classification will be due on January 1, 2012.

There are significant changes to the classification on items across several classes, as well as class headings, explanatory notes and general remarks.

The OHIM and several national Offices have already announced the application of the new edition of the Nice Classification, for trademark applications filed on or after January 1, 2012.

As you may be aware, the Angolan IP Office (IAPI) has been calculating renewal dates of PCT national phases in Angola from the local application date. This was a major concern for most of our clients, since the Treaty says that renewals should fall on the international application date.

We have been in touch with IAPI regarding this issue and we hereby inform that the Office is finally changing this position and will be using the PCT international application date for all further renewals, as per the Patent Cooperation Treaty regulations.

In this sense, the future deadlines to pay maintenance fees will be calculated according to the international filing date and the annuities due from the international application date must be paid at the moment of filing the national phase in the country.

If you have Angolan patents pending renewals, kindly send us the corresponding numbers for us to check the pending maintenance fees and dates to be paid.

We are pleased to announce that the first bulletin from the new IP Office of Cape Verde was just released.

This is the first big step for the new IP Office (IPICV – Instituto da Propriedade Intelectual de Cabo Verde), which will soon be installed as a separate Office from the ministry of commerce and industry, and focused only on Trademark, Patent and Author’s Rights registrations.

This new bulletin comprises the publication of the first 1.200 trademark applications that were filed in the country, along with several copyright registrations for artistic and literary art work.