In response to the unprecedented challenges caused by the war of aggression, Ukraine and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that deepens the strategic partnership between the Ukraine and the international IP community.

The Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the sphere of IP was signed by Oleksandr Tsybort, Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine for Digital Development, Digital Transformation and Digitalization, and Daren Tang, Director General of WIPO, on July 7, 2025, in Geneva, Switzerland.

This document establishes a new level of partnership and aims to support the national IP ecosystem and the innovative and creative sectors, which have been significantly affected by the ongoing war of aggression of the russian federation against Ukraine. The Memorandum has been signed for a period of two years.

The main areas of cooperation include:

• developing national IP system of Ukraine and strengthening the protection and enforcement of IP rights, in particular copyright and related rights;

• strengthening the efficiency of the National Intellectual Property Authority, whose functions are performed by the Ukrainian National Office for Intellectual Property and Innovations (UANIPIO/IP Office), including IT infrastructure and digital services;

• supporting Ukrainian SMEs, start-ups, universities, and research institutes in building their capacity in the IP sphere;

• expanding opportunities for effective protection and commercialization of IP rights of representatives of the creative industries, etc.

The document also outlines priority areas for cooperation, including:

• facilitate the attraction of grant and financial support tools for SMEs representatives affected by the war;
• cooperation on the further implementation of the National IP Strategy of Ukraine;
• support the development of the Ukrainian system of collective management of copyright and related rights;
• promote Ukraine’s accession to the Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement on Appellations of Origin and Geographical Indications;
• development of the WIPO ALERT tool;
• support for the national TISC network, the National IP Training Institution (IP Academy) and Mediation Center, which operate on the basis of UANIPIO;
• implementation of the WIPO IP Management Clinics for SMEs Program in Ukraine;
• implementation of a master’s IP program with the support of the WIPO Academy;
• strengthening the fight against counterfeiting, supporting law enforcement, and more.

“When it comes to intellectual property, we think not only in terms of law, but also in terms of services, data, and IT architecture. Intellectual property is about tools, protection, and development. We don’t need a vision for the future, but a clear plan of action – what we are doing today, how we are doing it, and with whom. This Memorandum provides exactly that: access to global experience, a benchmark for practical cooperation, and an infrastructure that can be scaled – from digital services to new opportunities for businesses and startups,” said Oleksandr Tsybort during the signing of the Memorandum.

WIPO, for its part, confirmed its readiness to expand technical, advisory, and methodological support, particularly in the areas of legislative development, digitization, mediation, training of specialists, and promotion of IP in society.

“This Memorandum is of particular importance to UANIPIO as an institution that, together with the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, is responsible for implementing real and systemic changes in the sphere of intellectual property. The document not only provides support but also gives a clear basis for scaling up digital services, strengthening infrastructure – in particular through the work of the IP Academy, the Mediation Center, and the TISC network – and expanding access to international tools. All this allows us to develop a sustainable, effective IP system even in the context of the russia full-scale invasion of Ukraine,” commented Olena Orliuk, Director of UANIPIO.

Copyright: WIPO. Photo: Emmanuel Berrod.

For reference:

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is an intergovernmental organization and a specialized agency of the United Nations. Its mission is to lead the development of a balanced and effective global intellectual property ecosystem to promote innovation and creativity for a better and more sustainable future.

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