How will the EU’s intellectual property system develop and function in the near future? How will the next generation of projects under the new Strategic Plan of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) strengthen European cooperation? How will the approaches to trademark and industrial design registration change with the use of the latest technologies and taking into account the effect of the updated legal regulation that is coming into force?
These and other issues were considered during a series of Liaison Meetings to discuss issues on cooperation, trademarks and industrial design, which took place from March 31 to April 2, 2025 at the EUIPO headquarters (Alicante, Spain).
The Liaison Meetings brought together more than 150 IP experts, representatives of the European national authorities, user associations and international institutions.
The Ukrainian National Office’s for Intellectual Property and Innovations (UANIPIO) delegation took part in the event:
For the first time, representatives of the UANIPIO took part in the Liaison Meetings in an offline format. This was one more step towards deepening cooperation with the European community in the field of intellectual property.
The Liaison Meetings are a key platform for discussing technical issues, the latest developments in legislation and enforcement practice. They are held twice a year in three formats: on cooperation, trade marks and industrial designs. This year’s discussions focused on the implementation of the EUIPO 2030 Strategic Plan 2030, the development of a more inclusive and sustainable intellectual property system, including the International Intellectual Property Alliance (IP Alliance), and the next stages of European Cooperation Projects.
One of the important topics was the use of artificial intelligence in examination procedures and its impact on stakeholder engagement. They also discussed the reform of EU legislation in the field of industrial designs, which should significantly change the approach to their registration and enforcement.
Participation in the Liaison Meetings is an important opportunity for UANIPIO to join the European dialogue, exchange experience and expand cooperation within the framework of the European Intellectual Property Network (EUIPN). Discussions on anti-counterfeiting, improvement of intellectual property registration procedures and digitalization of the processes are especially relevant for Ukraine, which is actively developing its own intellectual property system in accordance with European standards.
Liaison Meetings have a practical impact on EUIPO’s activities, as they contribute to the development of decisions that are subsequently adopted by the EUIPO governing body. Participants have the opportunity to directly influence strategic decisions by proposing initiatives and improvements in the field of intellectual property.
Participation of the UANIPIO in this series of events emphasizes Ukraine’s aspiration to integrate into the European intellectual property system, strengthen international cooperation and exchange of best practices. This was emphasized by Bogdan Paduchak.
“Liaison Meetings are not just technical discussions, but a strategic platform for shaping the future of the intellectual property system in Europe. For Ukraine, participation in such meetings is an important opportunity to be at the center of international dialogue and to adapt the best European practices to the Ukrainian intellectual property system on the path to Ukraine’s full membership in the EU. It is important that Ukraine not only adopts the experience, but also becomes an active member of Team Europe in the field of intellectual property”, – commented the First Deputy Director of the UANIPIO.
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