Today we live in an era where science and technology are developing at an unprecedented pace. Innovations have become not only a key driver of social progress but also the main criterion of economic competitiveness. In particular, issues of intellectual property, inventions, and their protection are becoming more relevant than ever. Indeed, if an innovator does not protect their idea today, they may not find it in the market tomorrow.
In order to find solutions to such pressing issues and to identify effective directions based on international experience, a seminar on “International Patent Strategies and Investment Management” was held at the Agency for Innovative Development. The event was jointly organized by the Agency for Innovative Development and the Commercial Law Development Program (CLDP) of the U.S. Department of Commerce.
The wide participation of representatives from government institutions, higher education and research organizations, private sector specialists, as well as international experts, highlighted the scale and importance of the seminar. The main focus was on further improving the intellectual property system in Uzbekistan, supporting scientific developments, commercializing startup projects, and establishing technology transfer in line with international standards.
During the seminar, participants discussed key issues such as national and international patenting procedures, invention protection strategies, accelerated examination processes, “prior art” searches, and other critical aspects. All of these efforts serve one common goal — turning scientific ideas into real economic products.
The seminar represents a logical continuation of the effective cooperation between CLDP and Uzbekistan. In recent years, training programs on intellectual property policy, technology transfer, and the commercialization of inventions have provided specialists with valuable new knowledge and expertise.
This seminar marks a new stage in those efforts, offering not only theoretical insights but also practical case studies, real-life experiences, and expert advice from international specialists to enhance participants’ skills.
Intellectual property is not just a legal concept — it is a driving force shaping new directions in the economy, the foundation of the national innovation system, and an investment in the future. In today’s world, the principle of “whoever patents first, wins” is gaining greater significance. For scientists aiming to enter the global market, this issue is of decisive importance. That is why inventors, startups, and researchers at the seminar received practical knowledge on how to protect intellectual property, commercialize it, and gain global recognition. Learning from the patent systems of the United States and other developed countries will undoubtedly be beneficial for Uzbek innovators, said Professor Richard Calhoun of Cornell University (USA).
