On October 17, 2003, the entire world-wide intellectual property community, and in particular the Eurasian Patent Convention, suffered an irreplaceable loss – the death of an outstanding figure in the area of intellectual property, President of the Eurasian Patent Office, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor Victor Ivanovich Blinnikov.

A talanted leader and organizer, an accomplished scientist and practitioner, he was a warm-hearted man and an example of honesty and integrity to his many colleagues, other scientists, inventors, heads of patent offices, and patent attorneys.

Victor Ivanovich dedicated 35 years of his life to the patent business. His career progressed from Deputy Head of the industrial division of VNIIGPE to the First Deputy of the RosPatent Chairman. He served as the Director of VNIIGPE for over 10 years. The organizer and founder of the Eurasian patent system, Victor Ivanovich Blinnikov continuously served, since 1995, as the President of the Eurasian Patent Office.

At each stage of his remarkable progress he was fully dedicated to his work, and left a major footprint and good memories of himself. He had the ability to unite and lead in order to achieve goals and objectives for the benefit of Russia’s intellectual assets and, at his last post, of those of the Eurasian Patent Convention member states.

Victor Ivanovich played a major role in strengthening the position of the regional Eurasian and national patent systems of the CIS member states within the global patent system. He enjoyed the highest esteem among his colleagues, was listened to and trusted.

In recognition of his major personal contribution to the establishment and development of international collaboration in the area of intellectual property he was awarded the USSR order “Sign of Honour”, the Gold Medal of the World Intellectual Property Organization, and several national distinctions of the Eurasian Patent Convention member states.

Victor Ivanovich has always been a reliable comrade, an excellent teacher, a colleague, and a friend. This is how he will always live in our hearts and in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.

The Staff of the Eurasian Patent Office