At the end of last week, a work meeting was held between the top management of the European Patent Office (EPO) and the State Enterprise "Ukrainian Intellectual Property Institute" (Ukrpatent). The event was conducted online.

The meeting was attended by EPO President António Campinos and Ukrpatent Director General Andrew Kudin. During the event, the participants discussed a number of key issues of cooperation between the Ukrainian and European offices, determined the main areas of EPO assistance, and carried out the initial coordination of supporting activities.

EPO President António Campinos spoke in detail about the activities of the Office for support of Ukraine at the level of the IP system, as well as humanitarian initiatives and financial support for Ukrainians, organized by the EPO both centrally and through a strong community of employees. The topic of the EPO President's speech was developed by the heads of the relevant departments of the Office, who expressed their support for Ukraine and announced the intensification of the action plan for cooperation between the EPO and Ukrpatent, outlining the main areas of partnership strengthening.

In turn, the  Ukrpatent Director General Andrew Kudin expressed deep gratitude to the EPO and stressed that the staff of Ukrpatent continues to work in difficult conditions, ensuring the functioning of the state system of IP protection and fulfillment of relevant international obligations. According to the head, the main task for Ukrpatent today is to preserve the intellectual and economic potential of Ukraine, and that is why the effective support of international partners and the world community is essential.

The further program of the meeting was devoted to the discussion and coordination of cooperation activities in pre-defined areas. Ukrpatent was also represented at the event by Director of the Department for Law and Intellectual Property Methodology Mariia Vasylenko, Director of the Department for Examination of Applications for Trademarks, Industrial Designs and Geographical Indications Oleksii Tkachuk, Director of the Department for Examination of Applications for Inventions, Utility Models and Layout Designs Serhii Torianik, Head of the Intellectual Property Development Division Yurii Kuchynskyi, Deputy Head of the Information Support Division Oksana Parkheta, Head of the Educational Activities Support Department Kasym Velychko.

Summing up the meeting, the EPO representatives once again expressed solidarity with the Ukrainian people and stressed their readiness to work in close contact with Ukrpatent specialists to support and further develop the IP system in Ukraine.

12 April 2022