The scope of activity of the new IP office should be aimed not only at improving the legal protection of intellectual property but also necessarily related to innovation, increasing the culture of protection of intellectual property rights, and creating a hub of a full consulting cycle for the inventor. This is both the result of the multi-vector reform implementation in the field of IP and the implementation of those steps that Ukraine must take as a candidate for EU accession. This was announced by the head of UANIPIO, Olena Orliuk, at a meeting with representatives of professional and business associations.

"Our functionality is expanding, and we are considering the development of the IP sphere in an inextricable connection with innovations. The IP office sees its active role in building the innovative ecosystem of the country. Our goal is a high-quality service to help Ukraine be innovative and reputationally attractive both for national business and the countries that currently support us, and we could ensure the development of the national economy after our victory over the aggressor. The office considers itself in the full cycle of the National Intellectual Property Authority, including as a professional platform for IP promotion, and the development of IP culture, as this is important for the development of a European-level state. The IP sphere can no longer be perceived as a sphere where corrupt actions are allowed."

In addition, Olena Orliuk emphasized the importance of maintaining an expert environment, attracting young personnel, and creating high-quality databases, information resources, and the IP office website.

"The IP office is interested not only in preserving the examiners' corps that worked in Ukrpatent but also in bringing back those specialists who left the patent office in recent years, training young specialists and giving them the opportunity to work in the IP office. We are interested in improving the examination quality and in constantly improving the qualifications of the examiners' corps. One of the next steps is the resumption of training and certification of patent attorneys. After all, we are interested in supporting national inventors and startups, attracting businesses to invest in science and inventions. Our databases, our information resources, and the site must be brought in line with European practices since Ukraine is on the way to joining the EU."

The meeting with representatives of professional and business associations took place as a result of the adoption of the order of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, "Some issues of the National Intellectual Property Authority," dated October 28, 2022, No. 943. The document defines the State Organization "Ukrainian National Office for Intellectual Property and Innovations" (UANIPIO) as the entity that performs the functions of the National IP Authority from November 8, 2022, and terminates their performance by the State Enterprise "Ukrainian Intellectual Property Institute" (UIPI). This is a logical step foreseen by the legislation and long-awaited by the professional community on the way to the implementation of the reform of the institutional component of the state intellectual property system, which Ukraine has been implementing since 2016.

04 November 2022