A videoconference with the delegation of the Intellectual Property Office of the European Union (EUIPO) headed by Deputy Executive Director Andrea Di Carlo was held on October 2, 2020. The parties exchanged information on latest developments in their design-related activities.

EAPO President Saule Tlevlessova welcomed the EUIPO delegation and briefed on the progress of the project on creation of the Eurasian system of legal protection of industrial designs, ratification of the Industrial Designs Protocol by the EAPC Contracting States, drafting of the regulatory documents with participation of the national IP offices of the EAPC Contracting States, and upgrade of the Office IT systems for work with industrial designs, which will commence in 2021.

Ms. Tlevlessova paid special attention to the bilateral cooperation between the Offices. She noted relevance of the EUIPO Technical Workshop on Tools held in Moscow in December 2019, and stressed the importance of studying the EU practice in the field of legal protection of industrial designs in the countries of the Eurasian region, as well as development of technical tools to facilitate workflow for industrial designs.

EAPO President reaffirmed the commitment to the bilateral work plan for the current period and encouraged to use a remote format of interaction whereas restrictions cause inability to implement activities in a face-to-face format.

The EUIPO delegation presented the current state of affairs of the Office and its development plans for the coming years. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the provided statistics on registered subject matters demonstrate demand for design registration in the EU countries and abroad.

The EUIPO Deputy Executive Director noted the importance of partnership with the EAPO and expressed willingness to provide any assistance to the EAPO in implementation of industrial designs project, as well as complimented on accomplishment of technical preparations to receive ID applications.

The parties have agreed to hold the next meeting at the end of 2020 to summarize the results of bilateral cooperation.