The UNION-IP ExCo autumn meeting was hosted this time in beautiful and cozy Porto, located to the North of Portugal, in the marvelous hotel – Palacio do Freixo. One of the most remarkable examples of Portuguese baroque, the hotel was built in the mid 18th century, and provided all necessary modern facilities to successfully conduct the UNION-IP ExCo meeting for leading European practitioners in patent and trademark protection.
As is tradition, a representative of the IPR GROUP from Ukraine participated in the meeting as a national delegate. The agenda of the meeting included a broad discussion regarding the preparation for the UNION-IP Congress in May, 2020. The Litigation Commission, which together with the Patents Commission, is responsible for preparation of the scientific program for the Congress in Antibes, proposed topics for the future congress. Additionally, suggestions on the Strategic Plan for the European Patent Office until 2023, were submitted by the Patents Commission.
The Design Commission had addressed a topic related to the conflict between an earlier 3D-trademark and a later design registration. It also referred to the decision of the Court of Justice of the European Union related to copyright and design law.
In the sphere of trademark protection, matters on the revision of EU trademark law and its practical implementation, invitations from the EUIPO, as well as expansion of the membership in the Madrid System were reviewed. Other issues related to the protection of intellectual property objects within the Europe, as well as some news on the protection of IP rights in each particular member-country of the UNION-IP were underlined by the national groups.
As a result of the practical discussion, it was agreed that the national committee meetings should be scheduled and conducted by the national delegates for the next part of the year in terms of preparation for the UNION-IP Congress.
Among other future meetings in the agenda, it was decided to conduct the UNION-IP ExCo meeting in May, 2021 in Kyiv. The IPR group is proud and thankful to the President of the UNION-IP and the ExCo members for their trust in conducting such an important event. Kyiv awaits the UNION-IP ExCo with great pleasure and warm Ukrainian hospitality.
Despite bad weather, the hosting party in Porto also proposed a wide cultural program, where participants learned a lot about historical development and visited remarkable locations and wineries of the region. Participants had not only the possibility to share professional experiences and practice in patent, design and trademark protection, but also to spend lovely evenings having dinners with friendly discussions and tasting of delicious Porto wines in a nice and warm atmosphere of the luxurious Porto palaces.
We will like to express our cordial thanks and regards to the national Portugal members for their prominent efforts in organizing and conducting such an interesting and memorable event.
