The Ukrainian delegation once again appeals to WIPO to take measures against the false indication of the addresses of applicants from the temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories as applicants from the russian federation. This is yet another way to legitimize russian aggression and occupation of Ukrainian territories. In the statement of the IP Office representatives, made during the discussion of the report on the activities of the Standing Committee on the Law of Trademarks, Industrial Designs and Geographical Indications on the margins of the 64th WIPO Assembly.

According to the statement, the indication of the addresses of applicants from the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine as the addresses of applicants from the russian federation is a serious violation of the provisions of international law and UN General Assembly resolutions on respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders, adopted in response to the aggressive war of the russian federation against Ukraine.

Taking into account the territorial principle of intellectual property rights to trademarks, industrial designs and geographical indications, WIPO’s global services must clearly respect Ukraine’s internationally recognised borders, and Russia’s actions to legitimize its armed aggression through the work of international organizations must be stopped.

“The issue of falsely indicating the addresses of applicants of the russian federation as the addresses of applicants from the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine in the international registration systems for intellectual property rights remains unresolved. This grossly violates the provisions of the UN General Assembly resolutions on respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders, adopted in response to the russian federation’s aggressive war against Ukraine. We are convinced that WIPO and its Member States will stand along with Ukraine and can take jointly immediate corrective actions to prove its effectiveness and respect of IP rights and international law.” said Bogdan Paduchak, The First Deputy Director of the IP Office.

Ukraine and WIPO are working together on practical solutions within the WIPO mandate that will help to prevent the illegal actions of the russian federation. Currently, WIPO has created a separate disclaimer within the Madrid Monitor and Patentscope resources, which states that the information in the filed applications (in particular, bibliographic information on the applicants’ addresses) does not reflect the views or positions of the WIPO International Bureau.

Ukraine will continue further work on identification and monitoring of such applications, as well as counteracting the false indication of the addresses of applicants from the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, in cooperation with WIPO.