The overall objective of the project is to contribute to Georgia’s socio-economic development through a more effective use of GIs and by the government providing better services to Georgian IP users. The project will be implemented by the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI), in close cooperation with the project partner (and beneficiary), Sakpatenti. GESIP will provide support to the following identified priority areas:

• Legal Support
• Support on GIs to Sakpatenti and other governmental institutions
• Support on GIs to GI producers
• Support to Sakpatenti Department of Inventions and New Varieties and Breeds

1 Why Georgia? | 2 Objectives | 3 What we do | 4 Why IP | 5 Who benefits? | 6 Project Facts

GESIP will provide legal advice and support in the process of approval and implementation of prepared drafts of primary and secondary legislation in the field of GI and map the roles and functions of government institutions in the GI system. Furthermore, it will support the process of implementation of control mechanisms and certification system/structure including providing necessary guidance during the process as well as inter-institutional coordination, and provide training and capacity building for certification and accreditation bodies. Directly supporting GI producers, activities include training on awareness of GIs to selected producers and helping with the formation of Producer Associations and the registration process, capacity building for selected producers on the implementation of the GI scheme and a knowledge sharing study visit to Switzerland for GI producers and select governmental institution representatives. Finally, GESIP will also support Sakpatenti’s Department of Inventions and New Varieties and Breeds with training sessions for their experts through experience sharing workshops on Freedom to Operate (FTO) searches and IP awareness for SMEs active in the field of Green Tech. GESIP will also have experience sharing exchanges on the topic of Green Tech patent searches and WIPO Green.

1 Why Georgia? | 2 Objectives | 3 What we do | 4 Why IP | 5 Who benefits? | 6 Project Facts

Over the past several years, Georgia has developed a legal framework for the further development of the GI system. Sakpatenti and other government institutions are now at a stage where the new system should be effectively implemented in the country. GESIP will seek to build upon the foundation that has already been developed in order to improve the GI system, thus contributing to economic growth. At the same time, the project will engage with Sakpatenti to strengthen its capacities and hence provide better services to applicants.

Moreover, Sakpatenti aims to strengthen the Georgian economy in the post-COVID era by means of IP awareness raising activities as well as by expanding its IP services and empowering businesses to identify, manage and capitalize on IP assets. Implementation of FTO searches and sharing best practices would be a major step forward for Sakpatenti in its efforts to position itself as an enabling infrastructure for economic recovery and innovation in Georgia.

1 Why Georgia? | 2 Objectives | 3 What we do | 4 Why IP | 5 Who benefits? | 6 Project Facts

Project duration
July 2022 – June 2025

Total budget
CHF 596’000

Donor agency
Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs – SECO

Implementing partners
Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property – IPI

Sakpatenti (IP Office of Georgia)

Georgia country context 2021
Population: 3,7 million
Area: 69,700 km²
GDP growth: 10.4%
Income per capita: USD 4,740

1 Why Georgia? | 2 Objectives | 3 What we do | 4 Why IP | 5 Who benefits? | 6 Project Facts