Grigory Ivliev, President of the Eurasian Patent Office (EAPO) held a series of high-level meetings with international partners on the margins of the 64th Series of Meetings of the Assemblies of the Member States of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

During the meeting with Dr. Shen Changyu, Commissioner of the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA), the parties discussed prospective areas of cooperation between offices, in particular, the exchange of experience on examination and digitalization, the expansion of the exchange of patent information and participation in “One Belt, One Road” integration initiatives.

The EAPO and CNIPA agreed to work towards mutual recognition as the competent international PCT authorities to provide more opportunities for applicants.

The EAPO and CNIPA expand their cooperation within the PPH (Patent Prosecution Highway) Program. The meeting resulted in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on extension of the PPH Program to include the work products that both offices are preparing as international search authorities.

The EAPO President had discussions with Mr. L. Denis Bohoussou, Director General of the African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI). The parties agreed to exchange practices on the development of regional integration systems, regional patent opposition as well as support for patenting. In particular, the African experience in establishing a special fund for financing technological initiatives in member states was a matter of interest.

During the meeting with Prof. (Dr.) Unnat P. Pandit, Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks (CGPDTM) of India, the parties agreed on a systematic exchange of examination practice, as well as cooperation within the PPH Program and on progress towards mutual recognition as competent PCT international authorities.

The parties scheduled to hold a joint IP India-IP Eurasia session in December 2023, inviting business representatives, patent attorneys from Eurasian states and India. The event is aimed to present the features of legal protection in the region to ensure the development of a comprehensive economic partnership between India and the EAPO states.