Canada – CIPO to become a Digital Access Service depositing office for patent applications

CIPO is pleased to announce that it has become a depositing office for patent applications for the WIPO Digital Access Service (DAS).

The Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) is pleased to announce that it will become a depositing office for patent applications for the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Digital Access Service (DAS), effective February 1, 2022.

Applicants can request that their documents be uploaded to DAS at the time of filing. If applicants need to make a DAS request after filing, they can use CIPO’s new document request form.

About DAS
DAS is a digital library service administered by WIPO that facilitates the secure exchange of priority documents between intellectual property offices (IPOs).

This initiative will simplify the patent application process for clients who have a priority claim in Canada. By making a copy of their application easily available on DAS, applicants will save time and effort on their international filings at participating offices.

Previously, applicants had to request certified paper copies of documents from the initial IPO and then file those documents with other IPOs. DAS simplifies this process by providing an electronic system where applicants can request that the initial IPO make priority documents available on DAS. The applicant can then request that other IPOs retrieve those documents via the service for subsequently filed applications.

CIPO has been an accessing office for patent applications since October 30, 2019.

More information about the WIPO DAS is available on WIPO’s website.

New Book, “All Access,” an Event Professionals Guide to Getting the Respect, Salary, and Promotion They Deserve

 All Access equips industry professionals with tools to navigate their career in this often-misunderstood profession. Fighting the misconception that job is all celebrities and champagne, All Access gets to the heart of the worth of the professionals working in the hospitality industry today. It is a loud cry for overdue recognition and respect for the hardworking and incredibly talented professionals who work under immense pressure and prevail even in the most difficult of circumstances.

“The author brings a fresh and honest perspective. We can all take queues from insights that come from her years of proven experience of getting a seat at the table with an organization’s leaders, earning the right to be part of the decision-making process, delivering on those decisions to create wins and exceed expectations. It’s certainly a gem for those in the Events space, and relevance that crosses industries.” -Andrew Lam, Training Manager.

“This book is insightful and a must-read for anyone in the industry. It is filled with valuable information based on Zara’s personal experiences. It is clear she is enthusiastic about providing the resources event professionals need to take their careers to the next level.” -Patti Johnson, Director Global Accounts.

All Access is 184 pages and is now available in eBook and print versions at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Apple books and other on-line booksellers.

All Access Coaching and Consulting

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allaccesscoachingandconsulting.com

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NTT and ACCESS Forge Partnership Toward Realization of IOWN

NTT Corporation (NTT) and ACCESS Co. Ltd., today announced a business and technology partnership aimed at promoting the realization of Innovative Optical and Wireless Network (IOWN)※1.

Through the arrangement, NTT and ACCESS will conduct research and development on new user interface and user experience technology for IOWN. In addition, by leveraging the global channel ecosystem of IP Infusion, a wholly owned subsidiary of ACCESS, NTT and ACCESS will set up sales channels of NTT software to global markets as a first step toward establishing a global value chain to provide the developed software products.

Even with the pandemic largely behind us, there is likely to be an ongoing shift toward a decentralized society, with the continuation of social distancing and other measures. To achieve a world of seamless interconnection of real and virtual in such a decentralized society, one requirement is for an information processing infrastructure on which everyone can easily process information in many different forms, beyond digital, and create value from it. A second requirement is for innovative UI/UX technology to enable all kinds of users to simply and intuitively interact with the new information processing infrastructure.

Moreover, the infrastructure supporting such a society will need to be capable of scaling quickly and providing flexible configuration, in order to connect the vast amount of data coming from people, things, virtual spaces, and other places of all kinds. The various players working to realize this infrastructure are actively developing software-based network technology, with its high affinity to automation and artificial intelligence, and are aiming for high cost-effectiveness.

NTT is promoting innovative R&D that will bring about change throughout the world in alignment with its group vision: “To resolve societal issues through its business operations, NTT Group works together with its partners as `Your Value Partner`.” NTT is working with partners around the world to develop game-changing innovative technologies, setting forth its IOWN initiative as a part of its vision of building a platform for creating a wide range of services in society.

ACCESS has achieved growth on the corporate vision of “connecting everything over the Internet.” From the time the Internet was emerging, the company has continued to advance technologies for connecting Internet information and services with people. Its embedded software technology and knowledge have set it apart from its competition, as the company developed and provided to the world browser and other technology for mobile phone Internet connection. IP Infusion, an ACCESS Group subsidiary, is a leader in white box solutions ※2, developing and supplying the world’s most advanced network technologies, capable of meeting the most demanding conditions as network traffic grows exponentially. With its white box products boasting the quality and reliability demanded by telecommunications carriers, it is working to achieve open networks and disaggregation.

Under the arrangement agreed on today, research and development will be carried out making use of NTT UI/UX technology and ACCESS embedded browser technology. Additionally, making use of the technologies, knowledge, support capability and global delivery/operations framework of IP Infusion, built up through supplying its software-based network operating system (network OS) solutions to more than 350 companies, the partnership aims to achieve efficient worldwide provision of the innovative technologies born of IOWN.

  • R&D on UI/UX for IOWN
    The birth of the Internet was a major advance for the world, as it made possible the expansion of information spaces on a vast scale and enabled anyone to access that information from anywhere at any time. IOWN is aimed at providing a new information processing infrastructure for seamlessly connecting the real and virtual worlds, free of communications bandwidth and latency constraints. Drawing on the UI/UX technology developed over the years by NTT and on ACCESS browser technology, R&D will be carried out toward realizing the UI/UX needed in IOWN, so that the value of the new information processing infrastructure can be derived to the maximum extent and all users can readily and intuitively learn how to use it.
  • Establish a Global Value Chain to Commercialize NTT Software Technology
    NTT working with various partners and communities has conducted open R&D on white box network OS solutions Beluganos (for L2/L3 network equipment) ※3 and Goldstone (for optical transmission equipment) ※4, intended for enabling white box in telecommunications carrier networks. IP Infusion, meanwhile, has developed a global channel ecosystem for providing on-going support for a wide portfolio of its own and partner products. In addition to its own network OS for white box, OcNOS® ※5 these include global integrator and customer support arrangements for the DANOS-Vyatta edition, and support for the Commercial SONiC distribution. The partnership will aim for early realization of a platform for sales and support in global markets of network OS solutions making possible IOWN and other leading-edge networking.
  • Looking Ahead
    The collaborative research on UI/UX based on this partnership will seek to devise new UI/UX capable of effectively presenting the many different kinds of information obtained from IOWN to each recipient, based on their characteristics and values. Toward tangible realization of IOWN, it will further aim to achieve market introduction of pioneering network OS solutions Beluganos and Goldstone in fiscal 2022. NTT and ACCESS will continue conducting open R&D with various global partners toward realization of IOWN.

About NTT
NTT believes in resolving social issues through our business operations by applying technology for good. We help clients accelerate growth and innovate for current and new business models. Our services include digital business consulting, technology and managed services for cybersecurity, applications, workplace, cloud, data center and networks, all supported by our deep industry expertise and innovation. As a top 5 global technology and business solutions provider, our diverse teams operate in 80+ countries and regions and deliver services to over 190 of them. We serve over 80% of Fortune Global 100 companies and thousands of other clients and communities around the world. For more information on NTT, visit www.global.ntt.

About ACCESS
Since 1984, ACCESS CO., LTD. (Tokyo Stock Exchange First Section Index, 4813) has been providing advanced IT solutions centered on mobile and network software technologies to telecom carriers, consumer electronics manufacturers, broadcasting and publishing companies, the automotive industry and energy infrastructure providers around the world. The company develops mobile software solutions that have been installed on over 1.5 billion devices, and network software solutions that have been used by more than 350 companies. Utilizing its network virtualization technology expertise and knowledge, the company is currently focusing on the development and commercialization of Internet of Things (IoT) and media solutions that combine embedded and cloud technology. Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, the company maintains subsidiaries and affiliates in Asia, Europe and the United States to support and expand its business globally. Learn more about ACCESS at www.access-company.com.

Explanation of Terminology

  1. IOWN
    IOWN stands for Innovative Optical and Wireless Network and a concept proposed by NTT for networks and information processing infrastructure. Since January 2021, IP Infusion has been a General Member of the IOWN Global Forum (Established on Jan 2020), an international forum promoted by companies and organizations supporting the IOWN vision.
    https://www.rd.ntt/e/iown/
    https://iowngf.org/
  2. White box Solution
    A network solution in which the networking software is decoupled from the hardware (disaggregation), enabling major cost savings, flexible network configuration, and rapid implementation of new functions and services.
  3. Beluganos
    A network operating system (OS) designed for open development, aimed at accelerating commoditization and disaggregation of network hardware. In 2017 it became the world’s first to implement advanced functions for telecommunications carriers on a white box. It is also contributing to administration of NTT’s internal experimental network and pioneering trials in the Metro Ethernet Forum (MEF) and the Telecom Infra Project (TIP), while promoting the spread of white box solutions. TIP is a global community of companies and organizations founded in 2016, of which NTT is a member, with the objective of bringing innovation to hardware, software, and operations.
    https://www.rd.ntt/e/research/NS0029.html
  4. Goldstone
    A network OS developed in the TIP (Telecom Infra Project) open-source development project, as a software set enabling the flexible design of large-capacity optical transmission systems.
  5. OcNOS
    A network OS for white box switches, developed and provided by IP Infusion. It is applicable to a wide range of use cases from communications service providers to data centers. It is winning adoption by carriers throughout the world who demand disaggregation based on each of the TIP specifications and open-source solutions.
    https://www.ipinfusion.com/products/ocnos/

Nestlé tops Access to Nutrition Index, improves healthfulness of products

Nestlé  has maintain the number one position in a ranking of food and beverage manufacturers on making healthy food affordable and accesible to consumers. 

The Access To Nutrition Initiative (ATNI) Global Index asseses the 25 largest food and beverage manufacturers in the world on their nutrition-related policies, practices and performance.

Nestlé’s top position is recognition of its longstanding commitment to nutrition and health as well as its engagement to help tackle the global challenges of obesity and undernutrition. Nestlé also topped the last ATNI Global Index in 2018.

The company has substantially improved its score on the nutritional quality of its portfolio, driven in part by higher consumer demand for healthier products.

ATNI also recognized Nestlé’s strong governance and nutrition strategy. Some highlights include:

  • Nestlé’s commitment to make nutritious food available to people at all income levels. That includes fortification with vitamins and minerals to address nutritional deficiencies.
  • A well-structured strategy on obesity and diet-related chronic diseases aligned with international guidelines, such as the WHO recommendations on sodium and sugar intake.
  • A strong policy on responsible marketing to children. 
  • Support for government efforts to combat all forms of malnutrition. 
  • Transparent reporting against the UN Sustainable Development Goals. 

Rob Cameron, Global Head of Public Affairs at Nestlé, says: “People around the world are struggling to access nutritious and affordable food. Our goal is to offer food and beverages that are good for people and the planet. We are proud of the recognition by ATNI and take this as encouragement to continue our work to improve nutrition and health. Businesses have a crucial role to play in tackling global nutrition challenges.”

Read more on how we are offering tastier and healthier choices and supporting healthier lives.

Visit the ATNI website for more on the global Index and the Nestlé scorecard.

Supporting access to telehealth for vulnerable populations

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the nonprofit So Others Might Eat, known as SOME, was rightfully concerned.

The community-based organization provides health care and other services to people experiencing poverty and homelessness in the Washington, D.C., area. Stay-at-home orders and efforts to reduce potential exposure to the coronavirus meant limited access to in-person clinics and office visits. SOME wanted to make sure the people it served still had access to care.

“We know that the population we serve — predominantly Black Washingtonians experiencing homelessness and extreme poverty — will experience the most severe outcomes, medically and economically, from COVID-19,” said Berinna Doggett, SOME’s senior vice president and chief clinical officer.

So, SOME, which helps people manage chronic illness and mental illness, incorporated telehealth options into its services. The changes allowed the organization to increase the number of people receiving behavioral health services by 300%. 

Still, more support was needed. To further expand its virtual care services, SOME applied for a grant from the Virtual Care Innovation Network, a community health collaboration founded by Kaiser Permanente.

Innovating to help meet community members’ needs

In the first 3 months of 2021, SOME received a $57,000 grant from Kaiser Permanente’s Virtual Care Innovation Network. The nonprofit is using the money to help purchase connected devices, virtual care software, and audiovisual platforms to offer telehealth group therapy and telemedicine.

With the funding, SOME is also working to reduce patient and health care workers’ exposure to COVID-19 by setting up virtual care kiosks — private areas onsite at the SOME clinic — where patients can access these devices in a socially distanced setting.

“We know that the telehealth kiosks allow people to engage with our services who otherwise would not,” said Doggett.

Working to ensure everyone has access to telehealth

SOME is just one community-based organization that received funding from Kaiser Permanente’s Virtual Care Innovation Network in the first quarter of the year. A total of $2.37 million was distributed to 59 safety net organizations — which provide health care to patients regardless of their ability to pay — to ensure that people with low incomes and who are uninsured, and people experiencing homelessness have continued access to high-quality telehealth, even after the pandemic ends.

An additional $1.45 million was distributed in the first quarter of 2021 to 18 organizations that help further advocacy for telehealth policies benefitting safety net providers.  

“This funding is critical to ensure that virtual care continues, uninterrupted, for patients who rely on community-based health centers for care,” said Cynthia Telles, PhD, Community Health Committee chair for the Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and Hospitals boards of directors. “Kaiser Permanente is a pioneer in virtual care, and we want to ensure that every person in every community we serve has access to this valuable health tool, which helps expand access to high-quality health care.”

Additional community health grants

Kaiser Permanente engages with communities through charitable contributions to support their needs and improve community health. “Grants to community-based organizations such as SOME reflect our deep commitment to having a meaningful and sustained impact in our communities. We can’t do it alone,” said Stephanie Ledesma, interim senior vice president of community health programs for Kaiser Permanente.

In the first quarter of 2021, Kaiser Permanente awarded a total of $29.2 million in grant funding, with grants awarded to organizations working to:

  • Address systemic racism and the accompanying trauma
  • Ensure equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines in our communities
  • Combat the surge in violence against Asians and Asian Americans and support the rights, health, and wellness of the Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities

Kaiser Permanente also serves the community through a range of programs including Medicaid, charitable health coverage, medical financial assistance, and medical research.