In 2023, the Eurasian Patent Office was active in strengthening the EAPO’s international positions in several areas.

The development of cooperation with the EAPO Member States remains a priority. President of the Eurasian Patent Office Grigory Ivliev visited Armenia (March 23–27, 2023), Azerbaijan (November 14–16, 2023), Kazakhstan (October 20–23, 2023), Tajikistan (June 6–7, 2023), and Turkmenistan (June 27–30, 2023).

During the visit to the Republic of Azerbaijan, the President of the Eurasian Patent Office had a meeting with Ali Cavad oghlu Ahmadov, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mikayil Chingiz oghlu Jabbarov, Minister of the Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and Jeyhun Bayramov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The President of the Eurasian Patent Office presented the prospects and priorities for the development of the Eurasian Patent Organization and outlined the key joint projects for implementation. He noted the high level of partnership on digitalization and the willingness to cooperate in the field of patent examination.

On November 15, a round table was held to discuss the Priority Areas of Cooperation between Azerbaijan and the Eurasian Patent Organization. The promising areas of interaction were noted, such as cooperation on expertise (patent searches, the use of the services of the Eurasian Patent Office as an International Searching Authority under the PCT, and participation in the Pilot Outsourcing Program), IT cooperation, educational projects, and the formalization of the legal status of data from the Eurasian Pharmaceutical Register to strengthen the protection of rights.

During his visit to the Republic of Armenia, the President of the Eurasian Patent Office had a meeting with Mher Grigoryan, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, where he presented the agenda for the development of the Eurasian Patent System. The parties discussed the latest trends in the filing of Eurasian applications and promising cooperation projects on examination and digitalization. The meeting included the discussion of issues related to the digitalization of the region, ensuring access to patent databases, developing the commercialization capabilities of the technoparks of the Republic of Armenia, including the exchange of experience in the examination of patent applications, and other matters. The importance of involving young inventors and scientific and educational organizations in joint programs in this area was also highlighted.

President Ivliev's visit to the Republic of Belarus was held in conjunction with the regional seminar IP as a Key to Eurasian Integration organized on June 13–14, 2023 in Niasvizh. The participants discussed the trends and mechanisms for enhancement of examiners interaction in the Eurasian region, the improvement of digital services and expansion of cooperation between IP offices.

During the official visit to the Republic of Kazakhstan, the President of the Eurasian Patent Office met with Azamat Eskarayev, Minister of Justice of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The parties discussed current issues of cooperation and promising areas for the development of the Eurasian Patent System.

The President of the Eurasian Patent Office also took part in the workshop on Legal Protection of Design. Development of Legal Protection Systems for Industrial Designs in the Eurasian Region, which was held together with Kazpatent on October 20. Eurasian Patent Office examiners presented the advantages and specific features of the regional system for the registration of industrial designs, application filing procedures, and examination practices. In addition, the Eurasian Patent Office’s electronic services were presented, including those using up-to-date digital 3D formats. Kazpatent examiners reported on the experience of the Republic of Kazakhstan in protecting rights to designs and the use of various IP types to protect designs.

The visit to the Kyrgyz Republic was timed to coincide with the activities dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the national intellectual property system of Kyrgyzstan. On October 5–6, 2023, the International Forum on the Transformation of IP into an Effective Tool for the Development of the Innovative Economy was organized with the support of the Eurasian Patent Office.

Grigory Ivliev was given a prestigious award during the visit: in accordance with a Decree of the President of Kyrgyzstan, the Eurasian Patent Office was awarded an Honorary Diploma of the Kyrgyz Republic. The state award is granted for merits in boosting the socio-economic and spiritual potential of the country.

The visit to the Republic of Tajikistan was also marked with festive events. The anniversary of the national IP office of Tajikistan was celebrated with the Intellectual Property in the 21st century: Trends and Achievements. Outcome of 30 Years of Activities of the Patent Office of Tajikistan international conference.

The President of the Eurasian Patent Office had a meeting with Matlubakhon Sattoriyon, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Tajikistan, and Zavki Zavkizoda Amin, Minister of Economic Development and Trade of Tajikistan. During the meetings, the parties agreed to actively cooperate in all areas of the EAPO Development Program 2023-2028 and expressed confidence that joint work will help both the development of Eurasian integration and the national patent system of the Republic of Tajikistan.

During the visit, the President of the Eurasian Patent Office met inventors from the Republic of Tajikistan and visited an exhibition held on the sidelines of the conference. Grigory Ivliev presented the Office’s highest award, the V.I. Blinnikov Medal, to outstanding innovators from the republic, namely, Mamadjon Safarov, Director of the Scientific Center for Innovative Technologies and Mechanization of Agriculture of the Academy of Agricultural Sciences of the Republic of Tajikistan, and Mahmadshoh Gulzoda, Rector of Abuali ibn Sino Tajik State Medical University.

In June 2023, President of the Eurasian Patent Office visited Turkmenistan. During the visit, meetings were held with Serdar Joraev, Minister of Finance and Economy of Turkmenistan, and at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, where the parties discussed promising areas of cooperation.

The President of the Eurasian Patent Office took part in the opening of the Arkadag “smart” city. Arkadag is the first integrated megaproject in the history of Turkmenistan, and it is being implemented on the basis of the urban planning concept of “smart” cities using green technologies. It will be more than 1000 hectares in area. The project was initiated by Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, National Leader of the Turkmen People. Arkadag has legal status as a City of National Importance.

The Eurasian Patent Office collaborated with other Eurasian integration associations in the CIS space to coordinate IP integration projects. On February 13, 2023, the President of the Eurasian Patent Office met with Bakytzhan Sagintayev, Minister of Economy and Financial Policy of the Eurasian Economic Commission.

The current integration projects of the Eurasian Patent Office and promising trends in Eurasian integration in the field of IP were discussed during a meeting between Grigory Ivliev and Sergey Lebedev, General Secretary of the CIS Executive Committee (April 5, 2023).

The President of the Eurasian Patent Office took part in the 13th meeting of the Interstate Council on Legal Protection and Enforcement of Intellectual Property (MGSIS), which was held on May 16, 2023 in Moscow under the chairmanship of the Russian Federation. Representatives of Azerbaijan took part in the MGSIS meeting as observers for the first time. The meeting attendees supported a proposal to upgrade the CISPATENT project to create platform solutions using new information tools based on Rospatent’s experience. It is planned to expand the scope of data with information on trademarks, utility models, and industrial designs, to increase the speed of information placement using machine translation.

Grigory Ivliev also participated in the 2nd Eurasian Economic Forum (May 24–25, 2023, Moscow). The forum was attended by the heads and representatives of the five EAEU States and by Mikhail Myasnikovich, Chairman of the EEC Board.

Cooperation with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)

A Eurasian Patent Office delegation took part in the 64th series of meetings of the Assemblies of the WIPO Member States (Geneva, July 5–13, 2023). The President of the Eurasian Patent Office made a statement on the unacceptability of discriminatory practices against Russian and Belarusian applicants, patent attorneys, and companies and on the destructive nature of the illegitimate unilateral measures imposed by several countries.

On the sidelines of the WIPO Assemblies, the President of the Eurasian Patent Office met with Daren Tang, General Director of WIPO. The parties discussed the implementation of a joint project for technoparks on rights management, staff and educational projects, and the priority areas of the Eurasian Patent Office Development Program until 2028. A Protocol on Amendments to the Agreement between the EAPO and the WIPO of October 1, 1997 was signed. Due to the expansion of the EAPO’s competence, new areas of cooperation were added, including cooperation in the protection of industrial designs, the use of alternative dispute resolution procedures, and the development of educational projects.

Cooperation in IT and activities on the full-scale application of all WIPO infrastructure services for the digitalization of processes were formalized as a new important element of the dialogue between the organizations.

Grigory Ivliev also met with the heads of relevant sectors of WIPO. During negotiations with Marco Aleman, Assistant Director General of WIPO, the parties discussed the implementation of the joint Pilot Project on enhancing IP commercialization capacity of technoparks. Particular attention was paid to experience in IP dispute resolution at the regional level and prospects for using the mechanisms of centralized dispute resolution in relation to IP objects with the coverage of regional protection.

During a meeting with Lisa Jorgenson, Deputy General Director of WIPO, the parties discussed the Eurasian Patent Office’s operations as a competent International Searching Authority (ISA) and the development of the PCT system. The parties agreed to cooperate on the development of the Eurasian Pharmaceutical Register. In particular, there is interest in international experience in regulating the use of the information contained in pharmaceutical registers for rights protection. During the discussion, Jorgenson supported a proposal to expand the use of the Russian language for international publications and communication with users (all the main PCT forms have been translated into Russian with the support of the Eurasian Patent Office).

Grigory Ivliev held discussions with Binying Wang, Deputy General Director of WIPO. Wang noted the active involvement of the Eurasian Patent Office in promoting the Russian language in WIPO and expressed readiness to continue cooperation and the exchange of experience.

Significant attention was paid to legal issues related to accession of the EAPO to the Hague System of International Registration of Industrial Designs.

The Eurasian Patent Office delegation took part in the following WIPO Working Groups and Committees:

- the 16th session of the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) Working Group (February 6–8, videoconference),

- the 54th session of the Committee of Experts of the IPC Union (February 22–23, videoconference),

- the 46th session of the Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore (February 27–March 3, videoconference),

- the 49th session of the IPC Revision Working Group (IPC Union) (April 24–28, videoconference),

- the 6th meeting of the PCT Minimum Documentation Task Force (May 22–26, videoconference),

- the Third Special Session of the Standing Committee on the Law of Trademarks, Industrial Designs and Geographical Indications (October 2–6, videoconference),

- Preparatory Committee of the Diplomatic Conference to Conclude and Adopt a Design Law (October 9–11, videoconferences),

- the 35th session of the Standing Committee on the Law of Patents (October 16–20, Geneva),

- PCT/MIA Quality Subgroups (WIPO) (October 30–31, videoconference),

- Meeting of International Authorities under the PCT (PCT Union), (November 1–3, videoconference),

- Meeting of Member States and International Depositary Authorities under the Budapest Treaty (November 13–14, Geneva),

- the 50th session of the IPC Revision Working Group (IPC Union) (November 20–24, videoconference),

- the 12th session of the Working Group on the Legal Development of the Hague System for the International Registration of Industrial Designs (December 4–6, videoconference),

- the 11th session of Committee on WIPO Standards (December 4–8, Geneva).

The implementation of the pilot project on enhancing IP commercialization capacity of technoparks was continued jointly with WIPO (see the “Expansion of Educational Projects and Development of the Intellectual Property Potential of Technoparks” section).

In addition, the Eurasian Patent Office organized a series of events in 2023 to share information and experience.

On January 19, 2023, WIPO CASE and WIPO DAS training were held jointly with WIPO. More than 70 experts of the national IP offices of the EAPO Member States familiarized themselves with WIPO digital tools.

On October 23, 2023, a webinar on Alternative Dispute Resolution for Patent Proceedings was held jointly with WIPO. On November 16, 2023 a regional webinar PCT System: Entering the National Phase was held jointly with WIPO for the countries of the Central Asia, Caucasus, and Eastern Europe region. A Eurasian Patent Office examiner also made a report at the 7th session of the WIPO Conversation on IP and the Metaverse (March 29–30, videoconference).

In 2023, WIPO celebrated the World Intellectual Property Day under the slogan “Women and IP: Accelerating Innovation and Creativity.” The Eurasian Patent Office supported the 1st Eurasian Conference of Women Inventors and Technology Entrepreneurs (May 17, 2023, Veliky Novgorod). The conference was initiated by the Women’s League of the All-Union Society of Inventors and Innovators, which unites inventors, innovators, and entrepreneurs in various fields of intellectual, research and engineering and technological activities throughout Russia. The delegates discussed the role of women in innovation, shared best practices and personal experiences, and suggested measures to support and promote female business and creative activity.

The Eurasian Patent Office supported the World and Beauty of Invention program, the main attendees of which are women inventors (part 1, part 2).

Promotion of the Eurasian Patent System

In 2023, the Eurasian Patent Office was active in promoting the Eurasian Patent System through interaction with patent attorneys and business associations.

On February 17–23, 2023, President of the Eurasian Patent Office took part in major international forums in India: the Global IP Convention and the World IP Forum. The event delegates included patent attorneys and IP experts from more than 20 countries.

Grigory Ivliev took part in separate sessions on patenting in the Eurasian region arranged by Gorodissky and Partners law firm.

On the sidelines of the forum, Ivliev met with Unnat P. Pandit, Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry of the Government of the Republic of India. The heads of the offices approved a calendar of joint cooperation events, which will include examiner meetings, seminars to promote the Eurasian Patent System, cooperation in the development of IT solutions for patent offices, and other projects.

On the sidelines of the Global IP Convention, a Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) Access Agreement was signed by the Eurasian Patent Office and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research of India, authorized by the Government of the Republic of India to maintain the database on traditional knowledge of India.

Eurasian integration was the key topic of the plenary session of the 3rd Patent Congress, held on October 17 by the Russian group of the AIPPI, the International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property. Patent attorneys from Russia and Kazakhstan took part in the meeting. The President of the Eurasian Patent Office shared his vision of the trends for the development of the Eurasian Patent System with the community of patent attorneys and spoke on the EAPO Development Program until 2028.

Vice-President of the Eurasian Patent Office Emil Mammadov took part in the World Congress of the International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property AIPPI (October 23–25, 2023, Istanbul, Turkey). At the bilateral meetings held during the congress, potential partners from Europe and Asia were presented with all the advantages of the Eurasian Patent System.

In May 2023, a series of events arranged by the Association of European Business (AEB) was held with participation of the Eurasian Patent Office: Grigory Ivliev met with the members of the association and the Eurasian Patent Office took part in the AEB’s IP: Development Trends, Judicial Practice, Problems and Solutions conference (May 31, 2023).

The President of the Eurasian Patent Office participated in the Eurasia: New IP Horizons international seminar, which was arranged by the Gorodissky and Partners law firm in Dubai on October 26–27, 2023. The seminar was attended by patent attorneys from Russia and countries from around the world, namely, the United Arab Emirates, Germany, India, Italy, Turkey, the Philippines, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, and other countries. The seminar program included a series of discussions, where the participants had the opportunity to review the development and prospects for regional patent systems in Europe and Eurasia and the main features of regional and national procedures.

The impact of sanctions and countermeasures on international trade, trademark protection strategies, and new business opportunities in terms of licensing and franchising were also discussed.

The Eurasian Patent Office took part in the China-Russia Forum on Trade, Economic, and Investment Cooperation (April 17, 2023), arranged with the participation of the Chinese Association for the Development of Enterprises Abroad and the Union of Chinese Entrepreneurs in Russia.

The Eurasian Patent Office and the Chinese National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) agreed to work out mutual recognition as competent PCT International Searching Authorities to provide additional options for applicants.

The Eurasian Patent Office and CNIPA will expand cooperation in the format of the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH). Following the meeting between Grigory Ivliev and CNIPA Commissioner Shen Chanygu (July 6, 2023, Geneva), the Memorandum of Understanding on Extension of the PPH Pilot Program was signed to expand the scope of the program. It now covers the PCT working products being prepared by both offices in their capacity as ISAs.

The Eurasian Patent Office also took part in the business program of the Innoprom. Central Asia exhibition (April 26, 2023, Tashkent) and the meeting of the Russian-Uzbek and Uzbek-Russian Business Councils. During the events, the advantages of accession to the Eurasian Patent Organization were presented to the Uzbek side.

The Eurasian Patent Office took part in the Eurasian Pharmaceutical Summit (September 26–28, 2023, Samarkand, Republic of Uzbekistan). A session on Intellectual Property as a Factor for Attracting Investments to the Pharmaceutical Markets of the Eurasian Countries was held during the Summit, which discussed the elements of the management and protection of intellectual property that contribute to attracting investments to the pharmaceutical markets of the Eurasian countries. A Eurasian Patent Office examiner gave a presentation on the Eurasian Pharmaceutical Register and the possibilities of its use by a wide range of organizations involved in the production, registration, and distribution of medicines on the territory of the EAPC Contracting States.