The participants of the two-day EU-Ukraine meeting discussed ways to harmonise intellectual property law and related areas with European legislation.

 

During the panel discussion “Intellectual Property – Creating a Sustainable System for Innovative and Competitive Ukraine Today”, which took place as part of the two-day EU-Ukraine meeting in Kyiv, the participants discussed the impact of the war on IP, the creative sector, and the innovation ecosystem. The panellists also discussed the ways to strengthen the structured dialogue between EUIPO and the Ukrainian IP office, which can be implemented despite the full-scale invasion of Russia.

 

Bohdan Paduchak, the First Deputy Director of the Ukrainian IP Office, moderated the discussion.

 

In particular, the following issues were touched upon:

• intellectual property priorities for the short- and medium-term perspective;
• steps to maintain the stability of the intellectual property system, including expectations from EU IP institutions;
• the state of harmonisation of intellectual property law and related areas with EU legislation;
• projects aimed at counteracting the negative consequences of war;
• various development projects.

 

The representatives of the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Education, the Supreme Court, the State Customs Service, the National Police, the Bureau of Economic Security, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, ICC Ukraine, the Union of Ukrainian Entrepreneurs, the UKRVYNPROM Corporation, the Ukrainian Alliance Against Counterfeiting and Piracy, the National Association of Patent Attorneys, the Scientific and Research Institute of Intellectual Property of the National Academy of Legal Sciences of Ukraine, and the Centre for Research on Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine also participated in the discussion.

 

The representatives unanimously agreed on the need to strengthen the structured dialogue between Ukraine and the EU in the field of intellectual property. Notably, the panellists discussed the issues of the exchange of experience and best practices in terms of the commercialisation of IP. They noted the issue of harmonisation of the legislation of our country and the European Union.

 

“Currently, it is essential to talk about the commercialisation of intellectual property objects precisely in the context of the harmonisation of Ukrainian legislation and various tools that such a partnership can provide for the promotion of small and medium-sized businesses, universities and scientific institutions. That is why the experience of our colleagues from the IP offices of the EU member states and EUIPO in this matter is so important for us,” said Yuriy Kapitsa, director of the Centre for Research on Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.

 

 

Summing up the discussion, the director of the Ukrainian IP office, Olena Orliuk, thanked her colleagues from the EU Representation in Ukraine, EUIPO, and colleagues from European IP offices for their meaningful dialogue and support in these difficult times for Ukraine.

 

As Ms Orliuk noted, Ukraine is creating an intellectual product worthy of being on the European and world markets. That is why we require information support and administrative support of the same quality:

 

“It is important for us to raise the level of our intellectual property culture so that in Ukraine, we can better protect and commercialise intellectual capital. That is why the experience of our European colleagues regarding the harmonisation and implementation of practices and legislation in the field of IP is so valuable to us. Our Office is always ready to be a platform for cooperation with European colleagues. Let us all build the European future together. We shall prevail, and we shall be able to live according to the standards that are inherent in a civilised society, which Ukraine chooses every day.”

 

 

In turn, the executive director of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), João Negrão, once again emphasised the importance of the development of the IP industry for the further reconstruction of Ukraine:

 

“Statistics and numerous studies prove the enormous contribution that intellectual property makes to the country’s economy. That is why it is so important to support and develop this industry.”

 

Photo: Yurii Bielakh

 

Read more:

 

Ukraine joined EU’s regional program to support intellectual property

 

Heads of IP offices in Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Moldova on initiatives to support Ukrainian IP sphere

 

João Negrão, EUIPO’s Executive Director: Active support of Ukraine is our priority

 

Remi Duflot, Deputy Head of EU Delegation to Ukraine: Progress in IP sphere brings cooperation between Ukraine and European Union to a new level

 

Vitalii Kindrativ, Deputy Minister of Economy: Intellectual property is integral component of innovative recovery of Ukraine

 

Head of the IP Office Olena Orliuk: Ukraine shall provide the level of IP services corresponding to best European practices