On December 17-19, 2019, an EAPO delegation visited the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and discussed the current state of joint technical cooperation projects with representatives of WIPO units.

The meeting with representatives of the Hague Registry of Brands and Designs Sector and IP Office Business Solutions Division was focused on the electronic interaction with WIPO under the Hague System for international registration of industrial designs. The study of these aspects is necessary for EAPO to determine its IT strategy for the coming years.

The EAPO delegation got acquainted with the electronic interaction tools and information resources within the Hague system, including the electronic filing system (eHague), the document exchange system (PCT Electronic Data Interchange), the International Designs Bulletin, and the Global Design Database, as well as WIPO’s plans to develop its digital platforms. Special attention was given to the discussing possibilities for integrating WIPO’s electronic services with the Industrial Property Administration System (IPAS).

During a meeting with representatives of the IP Office Business Solutions Division, the EAPO delegation reviewed WIPO’s plans to expand the functionality of IPAS and develop related software applications, and discussed the progress of the IPAS project in the EAPO.

The implementation of the License Agreement on WIPO Artificial Intelligence System (signed in November, 2019 by WIPO and EAPO) regarding the transfer of machine translation system based on the neural network (WIPO Translate) to EAPO was discussed at the meeting with the representatives of Global Infrastructure Sector. The parties reviewed technical and organizational aspects of cooperation in this area.