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The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), a United Nations' agency dealing with international norms related to intellectual property, has decided to award its Global Leader Award to His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej for his “outstanding development” of the Thai people and the nation through such renowned patented projects as Chaipattana’s waterwheel. The award ceremony is scheduled for Monday (December 1).

WIPO decided to award the King for his decade-long commitment to the issue and for having contributed to the betterment of the rural poor through the promotion of intellectual property.

Puangrat Asavapisit, director-general of the Department of Intellectual Property (DIP), said that Francis Gerry, the director of WIPO, would have an audience with His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn on Monday to extend the Global Leader Award to the King.  The King had assigned the Crown Prince to receive the award on his behalf.

In addition, the International Federal of Inventor Association (IFIA), a global inventors’ body with 84 nations as its members, has ruled that it will assign February 2, the day the patent for Chaipattana’s waterwheel was registered by the DIP, as 'International Inventors Day'. The Chaipattana’s waterwheel was developed and produced by the King.

“Many Royally-initiated projects involving tools and equipment - His Majesty graciously granted permission for a significant number of these projects’ patents to be registered. It can't be disputed that His Majesty has been very competent in producing and inventing things. He understands the intellectual property system very well,” Puangrat said.

Royally-initiated projects with patents registered with the DIP cover many categories. They include eight patents and petty patents, including patents for Chaipattana's waterwheel, a palm oil purifier, patents for Royal rainmaking, a vessel for collecting a patient's urine, as well as the Klang Din project amongst others.

Regarding trademarks: the King graciously allowed Suwanchart and Chaipattana Foundation to register 13 trademarks. Suwanchart’s seven trademarks include one for Suwanchart’s trading symbol, two Thong Daeng trademarks, and four Golden Places’ trademarks.

Mongkolchai Pattana sought six trading trademarks, including five 'Natural' signs and one called 'Sabai Sabai Corner'.

On copyright, they include such copyrights as Royally-composed songs, Royal photos, and Royal drawings. Four copyrights were registered with DIP, including literature in the form of a 'New Theory' book, the Royal New Theory project, and Maha Chanaka.

The Royal rainmaking project was also registered overseas with intellectual property rights (IPRs). The project’s IPRs are protected in 30 European nations, as well as Hong Kong. It is currently undergoing the registration process in the United States.

Puangrat said that on November 12, many organizations pertaining to intellectual property rights extended awards, including medals and certificates to the King. They included the IFIA and Hungary’s IFIA Cup 2007 for the Chaipattana waterwheel project and the 'Genius Price' for the new concept referred to as the 'Sufficiency Economy'.

Korea Invention Promotion Association (KIPA) extended a special prize with a certificate, a world class award for inventors, to His Majesty the King. - National News Bureau.