During the working visit of Olena Orliuk, Director of the Ukrainian National Office for Intellectual Property and Innovations (UANIPIO) and Liubov Maidanyk, Deputy Director of UANIPIO, to the Republic of Latvia, a number of important meetings were held with officials of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the EU Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) and a number of national IP offices of the EU member states.
The discussions focused on further support for Ukraine in the sphere of intellectual property, as well as challenges faced by the European IP system in the context of rapid technological developments.
Partners from WIPO, European institutions and national IP offices reiterated their continued support for Ukraine and willingness to further facilitate strengthening the IP ecosystem of our country.
Pictured: João Negrão (left), Olena Orliuk and Agris Batalauskis
The key event of the visit was the international discussion platform “IP as a Catalyst for Innovation and Growth: Connecting Research, Technology and SMEs”, which took place on April 8, 2025 in Riga.
The gathering of representatives of the international and European IP communities in Riga was dedicated to the 105th anniversary of the Patent Office of the Republic of Latvia.
This event brought together the heads of the three leading international IP organizations – WIPO, EUIPO and EPO – for the first time in the Baltic States. The discussions were also attended by the heads of European national IP offices, academics, researchers, representatives of small and medium-sized businesses and practitioners.
The discussion centred on the role of intellectual property in innovation, challenges related to the development of artificial intelligence, as well as approaches to effective technology transfer and commercialization of research results. In particular, their visions were presented by: WIPO Director General Daren Tang, EUIPO Executive Director João Negrão, EPO President Antonio Campinos, Director of the Slovenian Intellectual Property Office Karin Žvokelj, and Director of the Intellectual Property Office of Ireland James Kelly. The discussion was moderated by Agris Batalauskis, Director of the Patent Office of the Republic of Latvia.
According to Olena Orliuk, Director of UANIPIO, participation in such events is an important opportunity for Ukraine to be at the center of international dialogue, to formulate relevant approaches and to search for effective solutions for the Ukrainian IP system:
“Intellectual property is increasingly considered as a powerful tool for supporting innovation, developing small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as strengthening the link between research, technology and the real economy. Today in Riga, we had the opportunity to hear the positions of the directors of the leading international and European IP institutions on the new challenges faced by the world due to the rapid development of artificial intelligence, as well as concrete proposals to strengthen technology transfer and commercialization of intellectual property. It is important for Ukraine, as part of our European integration process, to be a part of this dialogue and jointly shape the modern IP ecosystem.”
On photo: Margus Viher (left), Olena Orliuk and Agris Batalauskis
Director of the Ukrainian IP Office also noted the consistent support of Ukraine by the Republic of Latvia:
“Since the first days of the full-scale military invasion, Latvia has demonstrated unwavering solidarity with Ukraine at all levels – political, economic, humanitarian and professional. Such support is extremely valuable for us, and we are sincerely pleased to strengthen our cooperation with Latvian colleagues in the sphere of intellectual property, which is based on trust, exchange of experience and common commitment to sustainable development.”
Photo: Patent Office of the Republic of Latvia
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