The Ukrainian IP sphere conducted one more step to strategic cooperation with European IP community – IP Office have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on bilateral cooperation with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO). The document was signed in a presence of EU and Ukrainian Ambassadors.

«The Memorandum of Understanding outlines many areas for cooperation, lays the grounds for new joint projects and qualitative development of previous efforts. But the most important aspect is that it clearly defines our path of harmonization and partnership, and will bring benefits to our applicants and the whole IP system» – noted the Director of the IP office Olena Orliuk.

Deputy Executive Director of the EUIPO Andrea di Carlo also underlined the necessity of deepen cooperation between Ukrainian and European institutions in the IP sphere:

«It is expected, that harmonization with European rules will increase the opportunities for foreign investments and the internationalization of local business in Ukraine. All these efforts will play the key role in upgrading the trademarks and industrial designs IPR’s system protection and, finally, will foster Ukrainian integration into EU»

The documents underlines conditions, under which IP offices can establish mechanisms for cooperation in areas of common interests, such as:

• harmonisation of trade mark and design best practices;
• awareness raising activities in the IP sphere;
• conducting seminars on protection of trademarks and industrial designs IPRs, joint organisation of seminars or workshops;
• cooperation on the issues related to the protection in EU and on the national level;
• development of alternative disputes resolution mechanisms, etc.

The full potential of our state IP legal protection system and the Ukrainian market will be realized only through close cooperation and support from the international community – underlined Bogdan Paduchak, the First Deputy Director of the IP Office.

«Despite the war, global economic and social crises, one of our priorities is to prepare the Ukrainian IP system for the EU candidate status. This is critical for Ukraine’s progress towards becoming a state on par with European standards. And we see huge potential here for experience exchange and holding joint events».

Signing the Memorandum of Understanding, is an important step of enforcement partnership with EUIPO and strengthening our innovation ecosystem – stated Vladyslav Bilotskyi, Deputy Director of the IP Office:

«By working together and receiving assistance from global partners, we can overcome these challenges and fully disclose the benefits of our IP system for everyone»

Memorandum of Understanding was signed on 5 July 2023 in the embassy of EU in Geneva, in the framework of preparation to the 64 series-meetings of the Assemblies of the Member States of the World Intellectual Property Organization.