Ukraine is strengthening coordination with European partners in aspects of intellectual property.

The relevant Declaration of Intent was signed in Warsaw during the regional meetings of IP representatives of the Ukrainian IP Office with the patent offices of Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia.

The document provides the following:

• harmonization of legislation, best practices, and processes in IP offices;
• development of tools to support innovators and businesses within the framework of Ukraine’s recovery plan;
• conducting training and educational and promotional events;
• support for SMEs.

As the Head of the Ukrainian IP Office, Olena Orliuk, noted, this is an essential step towards further convergence of Ukraine with the EU legislation and practice in the IP sphere:

“I am very grateful to my colleagues from Poland, who initiated a regional meeting on intellectual property issues with the heads of patent offices. As a result, together with colleagues from Poland, Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia, we signed the Declaration of Intent to strengthen coordination between the parties in harmonizing legislation, developing tools to support innovators and businesses, conducting training and educational events, and supporting SMEs. Furthermore, with representatives of the EPO and the EUIPO, it was possible to discuss ways of further cooperation and reach agreements on signing memorandums of cooperation. This is powerful and extremely valuable colleague support,” said Olena Orliuk.

The purpose of the Declaration of Intent, among other issues, is also:

• promotion of humanitarian coordination and exchange of information between various organizations, institutions, and partners;
• protection of the intellectual and economic potential of Ukraine;
• cooperation in post-war social reconstruction using science, technology, and innovation. Creation of new chains of added value and reintegration of human capital in the country;
• strengthening of innovation policy in Ukraine;
• bringing the practices of the Ukrainian IP sphere into line with the European ones.

We note that compliance of the Ukrainian IP sphere with European standards is one of the tasks of Ukraine on the way to joining the EU.