In view of the rapidly changing environment in the intellectual property field over the last three years and active development of business in the CIS region and for better coordination of our team’s operations in the 12 jurisdictions, the IPR Group has begun to organize Annual Corporate Conferences. This year was not an exception. The Annual Conference took place on December, 24th and was as usual, dedicated to summarizing this year’s activities, results and achievements.
This year’s annual meeting was remarkably productive. Quite a number of important aspects in the internal work process were discussed and various methods for increasing efficiency and productivity were identified. Members of the team shared the achieved plans and goals set in 2020 amongst each other and outlined the personal and professional growth plans for 2022.
It was pointed out by the IPR Group team that in 2021, apart from ordinary cases related to IP objects registration, maintenance, etc., we also dealt with a significant amount of negotiations on behalf of esteemed clients associated with obtaining Letters of Consent, Coexistence agreements, assignments and Letters of Undertaking. The infringement IP objects, custom enforcement and judicial proceedings related cases were also a considerable part of the cases handled during the year.
Also mentioned was the noticeable increase of applicants from China, Turkey, USA and Germany.
2021 was also an important year for the Eurasian industrial design registration system. Starting from June 1, 2021, the Eurasian Patent Organization (EAPO) began accepting applications for industrial designs that simplify the procedure for obtaining legal protection for regional industrial design patents in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia through the so-called “one window”, which significantly optimizes the time frame and financial implications for obtaining a patent.
As was planned, this year we had a lot of online meetings with our esteemed clients and colleagues from all over the world in light of the limited number of face-to-face IP events.
Worth mentioning was also the approaching INTA Annual Meeting for 2022 that should take place in Washington, D.C., USA in the spring. This meeting will once again bring together the most influential brand professionals from across the globe and across industries at the largest gathering of its kind.
The IPR Group team is looking forward to attending this long-awaited event, hoping that nothing will become an obstacle for such an assembly. We will be incredibly happy to again see and meet with our dear clients, colleagues and friends, as well as to make new acquaintances.
Having discussed all necessary points, the official part of the Annual Meeting was concluded, and continued by celebrating Christmas and the upcoming New Year in a cosy restaurant with family members and dear friends.
We wish everyone a prosperous, healthy and happy New Year 2022!