Within the framework of participation in the annual EUIPO Liaison Meetings, the delegation of the Ukrainian National Office for Intellectual Property and Innovations (UANIPIO) held a separate working meeting with Sandris Laganovskis, Director of the EUIPO Cooperation and Partnerships Department, and Tiago Miguel da Trindade Guerreiro, Cooperation and Partnerships Department, Head of Service, International Cooperation Area.

UANIPIO was represented at the meeting:

• Bogdan Paduchak, First Deputy Director;

• Andrii Zozuliuk, Head of the International Cooperation Department;

• Khrystyna Posheliuzhna, Head of Strategic Communications Division.

The meeting was focused on the implementation of joint initiatives envisaged by the Memorandum of Understanding between the EUIPO and the UANIPIO signed in July 2023 and the Working Plan of common activities for 2024 – 2025 to implement the Memorandum, signed in October 2024.

The participants discussed a wide range of bilateral cooperation issues, including:

• plans and current initiatives to support the approximation of national legislation to acquis EUunder the EU4IP project;

• utilizing instruments to support national business in the field of IP, such as the SME Fund;

• participation of the UANIPIO specialists in the Seconded National Experts (SNE) program;

• progress in data integration and modernization of digital infrastructure;

• prospects for developing new national examination guidelines harmonized with EUIPO approaches.

Separate discussions were held on the protection of Ukrainian geographical indications in the EU and possible ways to support this process by EUIPO, as well as new EUIPO competencies on geographical indications for craft and industrial products.

Other topics included the exchange of experience between the Boards of Appeal, joint training events, and Ukraine’s intention to join the EUIPO Observatory Working groups.

“We highly appreciate the strategic partnership with EUIPO and the support that Ukraine receives in this extremely difficult time. Today’s dialog is not only an exchange of experience, but also joint work on the future of Ukraine’s integration into the European IP community. We are ready to actively participate in all initiatives and are determined to implement the best European practices in our system”, –  noted Bogdan Paduchak.

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